Stanbic Zimbabwe donates US$25 000 sun protection products to ALCOZ

STANBIC Bank Zimbabwe has donated an assortment of sun protection products worth US$25 000 to the Albino Charity Organisation of Zimbabwe (Alcoz).

The financial services institution yesterday handed over 1 000 units of sunscreen lotion, 1 000 units of antibacterial soap, 1 000 units of antiseptic liquid, 1 000 units of lip balm and 1 000 sunhats.

The bank’s head of brand and marketing, Mr Palmer Mugavha said the institution has supported people living with albinism for the last nine years through its partnership with Alcoz.

“Our partnership with Alcoz is well calculated as Stanbic Bank fully understands the challenges people living with albinism face throughout the year such as weather elements, particularly the heat as summer sets in,” said Mr Mugavha.

He noted that people living with albinism need protection from the harmful effects of the sun owing to the lack of melanin in their skin, which serves as a shield from the sun.

People living with albinism rely on sunscreen lotions, special oils and lip balm for protection from the sun hence Stanbic Bank has stepped in to meet their needs, especially in these challenging economic times.

Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited condition, which occurs worldwide regardless of ethnicity or gender. It commonly results in the lack of melanin in the hair, skin and eyes, causing vulnerability to sun exposure.

Alcoz projects and programmes manager, Mr George Mafararikwa, said Stanbic Bank had now proved to be “an all-weather friend” given that their partnership was now in its ninth year.

“Stanbic Bank, our major partner in this worthy cause, has stood by us all these years in support of our initiatives.
“We, in Alcoz, always ensure that the Stanbic Bank’s donations do not only benefit those in big cities and towns like Harare but that the donations reach the most marginalised remote areas such as Binga in Matabeleland North, Matobo in Matabeleland South, Chiredzi in Masvingo, Gokwe in the Midlands, Chipinge in Manicaland and Mbire in Mashonaland Central, among other places,” said Mr Mafararikwa.

He said Alcoz, just like Stanbic Bank, is committed to put its shoulder to the wheel in supporting Governments efforts to alleviate some of the challenges faced by people living with the albinism.

Mr Mafararikwa said the sun protection products will help the beneficiaries to integrate easily into their respective communities and enable them to undertake their daily chores even in the sun.

“Thank you to Stanbic Bank and the entire team that has been behind this gesture for the past nine years. We pray that this partnership continues so that we are able to assist people with albinism,” he said.

Mr Mugavha said the donation by Stanbic Bank was part of a broader and comprehensive Corporate Social Investment (CSI) strategy by the Group’s subsidiary.

Stanbic Bank’s CSI initiatives cover four pillars, which are health and sanitation, education, environment and sports.-chrpcnles