Zimbabwe Pensioners Welfare Trust empowers pensioners with day old chicks.
By Kudzai Jakachira
Harare _ The Zimbabwe Pensioners Welfare Trust, in conjunction with Gain Cash and Carry yesterday donated over 1000 day old chicks to pensioners in Harare.
The Trust is on a drive to empower pensioners through various income generating projects which will generate income for the old pensioners.
Zimbabwe Pensioners Welfare Trust has sourced funding from various organisations, including banks and business players to embark on an economic empowerment drive mainly targeted at pensioners for them to sustain stable livelihoods.
Speaking at the hand over ceremony in Harare yesterday, Zimbabwe Pensioners Welfare Trust director Benjamin Phiri said it was vital to fund pensioners with various income generating projects for them to sustain a stable lifestyle since the pension money they received sometimes was not enough to carter for their needs.
“Pension money that most of our retired fellows receive is not enough to sustain them on retirement hence it is very important for us to source funding from varios sectors to start this initiative to assist pensioners start income generating projects,” said Dr.Phiri.
“Most retired pensioners face difficulties in looking after their families and pay for their medical bills because they only rely on pension money, hence the empowerment project we introduced will go a long way in assisting them carter for most their nèeds.
“The lifestyle of pensioners is way below normal living standards so this initiative will help pensioners in various ways after generating money also improving their standard of living,” he added.
Pensioners who received day old chicks yesterday expressed gratitude at the donation by the Zimbabwe Pensioners Welfare Trust and Gain Cash and Carry and revealed that the empowerement initiative was going to change their lives from rags to riches.
“This donation by the Zimbabwe Pensioners Welfare Trust and Gain and Cash and Carry will go a long way in improving our lifestyle since most of us could no longer sustain stable lives,” said one pensioner Gibson Taruwana a retired soldier who resides in Highfield.
The Zimbabwe Pensioners Welfare Trust was formed in 2020 after its stakeholders realised the suffering pensioners faced after retirement.
TOP PIC: Benjamin Phiri (centre) with Gibson Taruwana, a pensioner, and Priscilla Muzambwa general manager Cash and Carry Gain.
