Harare, July 30, 2010:
The United States and Canadian embassies on Thursday officially handed over a grinding mill and various water and sanitation facilities to Tose Respite Care Home, a center for mentally and physically handicapped people based in Harare.
Through the U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program and the African Development Foundation, the U.S. provided support for the purchase of a grinding mill to provide milling services for the handicapped children’s center as well as commercial milling services for the surrounding Granitesite community.
“The Self-Help Program is a clear expression of the willingness of the people of the United States to support the initiatives of the people of Zimbabwe. Tose Respite Care Home, through its hard work and dedication to Graniteside community, is a bright example of the type of self-help projects we like to support,” said Ambassador Charles Ray.
The Canadian Embassy, through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, provided funding to improve water and sanitation situation at the Centre. These include repair and supply of boreholes and pumps to supply clean water; water storage tanks and the installation of a heating system for the hydrotherapy pool that has been out of operation for five years.
“Canada – through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives – currently provides support to the local community by financing small-scale development projects addressing community basic needs and involving technical, economic, educational, cultural, and social development assistance,” said Denis Langlois, Chargé d'affaires.
The official handover of the donations coincided with Tose Respite Center annual general meeting and was witnessed by members and staff at the Center. The home has about 40 children with severe handicaps and a staff complement of 24.
Issued by the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section, Harare
July 30, 2010 |