Harare rehabilitation centre St Giles has reason to celebrate after receiving a package donation of $2.4 million from platinum mining giant, Mimosa.

The Zvishavane-based company has gone all out and donated $70,000 dollars cash towards payment of fees for disabled children living at the centre. The donation also includes two ambulances and two buses to ferry staff members and children.

The mining giant also paid for major renovations of therapeutic swimming pools, purchased new therapy equipment, heavy-duty laundry machines, and water tanks and pipes to improve the sanitation situation at the centre.

St Giles Board Chair, Misheck Mubvumbi, expressed his gratitude towards Mimosa saying the donation came at an opportune time as the centre was struggling to remain operational due to the failed economy.

“We are grateful for such initiatives that Mimosa has taken to donate towards the improvement of the nation’s health delivery system through St Giles. I believe the donations are coming at the right time when government is facing challenges in keeping up with the growing demands of the health sector in most of its public health facilities and other health institutions,” he said.

Mimosa Mining Company Executive Chairman, Winston Chitando, said the gesture was part of the company’s efforts in changing lives of those in need of rehabilitation.

“We are proud to be handing over these projects to the institution. The journey has been long, yet significantly rewarding, as our efforts have been instrumental in changing the fortunes of many who have found themselves in need of rehabilitation,” said Chitando.

A mother to a child who was a beneficiary, but requested anonymity, said words were failing her to describe how grateful she was for the school fees assistance she got.

“I am really thankful to the mining company that paid fees for my son. In these hard economic conditions, there are few companies who can do what Mimosa has done to the underprivileged. What impresses more is that they are not even from Harare, but Zvishavane — hundreds of kilometres away. I am really grateful,” she said, close to tears.

St Giles is a medical rehabilitation institution that gives post-stroke, major accident/brain injury patients the ability to regain their motor skills and use of their limps that might have been rendered inactive.

Photo: The children’s physiotherapy room at St Giles Rehabilitation Centre, Harare (St Giles Website)