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Busisa Moyo,Sichelesile Ncube&Daniel McKenzie
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“Some companies call it CSR, we call it Citizenship” these
words were said by United Refineries Chief Executive Officer Mr Busisa Moyo and
they really got me thinking, what if all the big companies in Bulawayo had this
mindset, I sat there and imagined all the possibilities. the, but that is a
story for another day. Tuesday the 6th of November marked the
beginning of something beautiful for the people of Bulawayo and Matebeleland.
The handover of the
renovated Children’s Oncology ward, this is for children living with cancer.
The renovation done by United Refineries in partnership with Daniel McKenzie
KidsCan Zimbabwe. Did you know that before this ward all the children that are
living with cancer even from the small towns like Plumtree, Lupane who were
referred to Mpilo had to travel as far as Harare to get treatment? Travelling
costs, separation of families, these are some of the things that families had
to deal with on top of having a sick child. Being a mum myself l sat there as
this was relayed to us and you know l am a strong lady, but l had to fight back
tears as all this sank in.
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| Some Of United Refineries Management staff |
I am not a fan of
long speeches and thank God none of the speakers for the day was in the mood
for talking, they all wanted to get down to the main reason why we were there.
After being given a brief history of KidsCan by Daniel McKenzie and assuring us
that they will be opening a branch in Bulawayo soon, we made our way into the
ward. Ok l went there thinking ok United Refineries renovated the ward placed a
flower here and one there, replaced broken windows, you know the basic
renovations, well well was l in for a surprise there is nothing basic about the
renovations. They went the whole nine yards, l am talking tiled floors, l am
talking beautiful graphic designing skills on the walls, am talking cool and
colourful blankets on the beds, did l mention the bathroom? tub, tiled walls, dear Lord in heaven, they even drew super
heroes on the walls and trust me these are no ordinary superheroes, we had a Fortified
Unity Mealie Meal, Rugani Juice, and my personal favourite the Roil super heroe,
that wall will be a favourite for many.
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| Super Heroes Wall |
You know that lump you get in your throat before the
waterfalls break loose? yep l felt it as l moved around and thought of the huge
difference this place will make in a lot of people’s lives. As someone who has
a soft spot for children this is exactly what Mpilo Hospital needed, home away
from home for both the child and the mum. As if all this was not enough United
Refineries will also cater for the tea that the mums will be drinking, you know
when you have a sick child and already paying hospital bills the last thing you
need is to stress about money for your own food.
This Oncology ward
which cost $12000 and took three months to finish will mean that the children
living with cancer will be in the same ward and room, making life easier for
the doctors and the families who had to travel to Harare for treatment since
now Mpilo Hospital will be providing these services.
We then made our way downstairs again where thank yous were
exchanged that saw Mr Mackenzie and the KidsCan team give United Refineries a
certificate of appreciation and Sherine Taylor who before working for United
Refineries also volunteered for KidsCan.
“Heroes come in all sizes” this is written on the wall and l
could not agree more, in this case United Refineries is our giant hero.
To all the hands that worked tirelessly to make this
renovation a success may the Lord bless you all.
God Is Love
Emma Nxumalo.
