LORRAINE NDAWI
NEMAMWA-The Great Zimbabwe Hotel continues to play a key role in uplifting vulnerable children and supporting communities around Nemamwa through its long-standing corporate social responsibility programmes.
For over a decade, the hotel has been supporting HIV+ children who receive medical support at Nemamwa Clinic. A major highlight of this partnership is the annual Christmas luncheon hosted by the three star hotel.
For many of the children, the December clinic visit has become their real “Christmas Day,” as they are treated to a special meal that brings joy and dignity during the festive season. The hotel chose Nemamwa Clinic because it serves the surrounding community and is also the first point of medical care for many hotel employees.
In addition to the luncheon, the hotel pays the clinic’s monthly security costs, ensuring a safe and secure environment for patients, staff and visitors. The sister in charge at Nemamwa Clinic, Sister Judith Mugabe welcomed the continued support, explaining that the clinic caters for about 120 children living with HIV and AIDS from different areas. The children visit the clinic every three months to collect their medication. Clinic staff also guide them on proper medication use as they grow. She added that the clinic runs weekend sessions where children are taught about sexual and reproductive health, as well as how to cope with stigma and discrimination.
“We try as much as possible to integrate these children into the mainstream society by allowing them to talk openly about their condition. By allowing them to discuss their issues among themselves, it helps them a lot in fighting stigmatisation by knowing that there are many others with same condition like them,” said Sister Mugabe.
The hotel has also extended its support to Morgenster Hospital, where it adopted the children’s ward. The Great Zimbabwe Hotel is responsible for the ward’s building structure, furniture and fittings. This year, the hotel repaired a leaking roof and ceiling, bought drip stands and a chiller, refurbished dining tables and chairs, and donated bed linen. Plans are in place to paint the outside of the building to further improve the ward’s condition.
Speaking on the hotel’s community work, General Manager Aretha Takaza said the aim is to bring lasting change to vulnerable children and families. She stressed that education is a key part of the hotel’s CSR efforts. The hotel pays school fees, provides uniforms and stationery for children from Chirichoga, Nemamwa and Ndarama communities who attend Chirichoga High School, Nemamwa Primary School and Ndarama High School. The goal is to support these children through to higher education.
The hotel also supports economic growth in the community by buying fruits, vegetables and other agricultural produce, including mealie-meal, directly from local farmers. This helps families earn an income and strengthens local livelihoods.
Through its continued investment in health, education and economic empowerment, the Great Zimbabwe Hotel remains committed to building a stronger and more sustainable future for the communities it serves.
