Jairos Jiri Southerton received nine state-of-the-art wheelchairs and a deep freezer from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) on July 6, 2012. This is in line with the Authority’s unwavering commitment to uplift the welfare of disadvantaged members of society.

ZIMRA Commissioner General, Mr Gershem Pasi, handed over the donations at a ceremony held at the Home. The Authority’s Greater Harare Region has also adopted the Home and is in the process of refurbishing a hostel. The National Councillor for the Home, Mr Hlupo, thanked ZIMRA for the donations and said that the Home was last painted in 1963 when the school was established.

In addition to the donations, ZIMRA pledged to provide transport to the children for any trips they may have. The Home, which has over 150 children under its care, also has other needs such as an ambulance, medication, lighting installations and a generator, which the Authority pledged to look into.

In a poem, one of the children, Stella Jongwe, appreciated the wheelchair donation and passionately thanked ZIMRA for changing their lives.

“Some of us have been crawling but you have given us feet”, she recited.

The children at the Home proved that disability is indeed not inability as they played marimba instruments, sang melodiously and danced. Jairos Jiri also runs a thriving market gardening project, while children also weave baskets, mats and chairs.

ZIMRA started assisting Jairos Jiri Southerton in 2006 and the latest handover confirms the Revenue Authority’s dedication to making a difference in society.