Stanbic Bank has donated ZW$24. 7 million worth of sun protection products to the Albino Charity Organisation of Zimbabwe (ALCOZ).
The donation by Stanbic cements the seven-year relationship that the institution now enjoys with ALCOZ having started in earnest in 2015.
The leading financial services institution donated 1 000 units of sunscreen lotions; 1 000 units of antibacterial soap; 1 000 units of antiseptic liquid; 1 000 units of lip balm and 1 000 sunhats.
Stanbic Bank Sponsorship, Events and CSI Manager Lucy Dlodlo said the institution was not only customer-centric but also has a keen interest in the welfare of the community in which it operates.
She said the annual donation was a key calendar event for the institution given the relief the gesture brings to people with albinism.
Dlodlo said Stanbic Bank had a deep understanding of how albinism affects the way a person lives, their work environment, sight and society’s perception of them. Dlodlo said:
Stanbic’s donation is part of its wider Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiative targeting the health sector under the Usizo – Ruyamuro banner. Usizo – Ruyamuro was mooted in 2019 as Stanbic Bank sought to play a pivotal role in complementing Government of Zimbabwe’s efforts to ensure health delivery services are accessed by all.
She said the donation falls perfectly into the category of Usizo-Ruyamuro’s goals given its two-pronged nature of cushioning people with albinism from escalating costs of the products as well as ensuring that they are protected from the effects of the sun.
Dlodlo noted that it was fitting that the donation was being made as summer is fast approaching adding that the products will go a long way in protecting the beneficiaries.
She said while the economy was recovering from the negative effects of COVID-19, the menacing pandemic has left deep financial scars on individuals and people with albinism were not spared.
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.
People 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. They rely on sunscreens lotions, special oils and lip balm for protection from the sun.
ALCOZ Project Manager, George Mafaririkwa expressed his gratitude to Stanbic Bank. He said:
A big thank you to Stanbic Bank for seeing the wisdom in consolidating this relationship through coming to our financial rescue by buying these products for us.
He said sun protection products were beyond their reach as the economic environment worsens.