ONE of Africa’s biggest financial institutions, Ecobank Zimbabwe, has pulled all strings to ensure that some local schools have access to clean and safe drinking water as part of its corporate social responsibility.
The bank donated seven drinking water tanks to the City of Bulawayo-run Sigombe Primary School in Nkulumane suburb during its annual commemoration event last Saturday.
Ecobank has on-going charity projects at the school where it also runs a scholarship programme that pays school fees for 10 pupils.
The financial institution, which has branches in 36 countries on the continent, also gave a special gift to Chitungwiza Hospital where it sourced $4 000 that was used to purchase various medical sundries and sanitation supplies.
Another charitable footprint was at Mutoko’s Mother Peace Children’s Home, which received groceries and is also set to get a borehole.
Speaking during the handover of the water tanks at Sigombe, Ecobank Zimbabwe head of commercial banking, Mr Johnson Mahanya, said their water and sanitation initiative was an annual feat that celebrates the bank’s entrance on the African continent.
“Every year when we celebrate Ecobank Day we unleash various projects in three centres in Mutoko, Bulawayo and Chitungwiza.
He said the donation to Chitungwiza Hospital was meant to help the institution cope with high demands for medicine and manage the water problems it faces.
Parents and guardians at Sigombe Primary paid tribute to the bank.
Ecobank Zimbabwe’s clean water and sanitation initiative comes at a time when the Government has called upon the corporates to work hand in glove with communities to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.