Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe has once again come to the rescue of people living with albinism by donating an assortment of sun protection products worth US$ 25,000 to the Albino Charity Organisation of Zimbabwe (ALCOZ).
On Wednesday, the institution handed over 1000 units of sunscreen lotion; 1000 units of antibacterial soap; 1000 units of antiseptic liquid; 1000 units of lip balm and 1000 sunhats.
Stanbic Bank Head of Brand and Marketing, Palmer Mugavha said the institution was pleased to have supported people living with albinism for the last 9 years through the partnership with ALCOZ. 
Mugavha said Stanbic Bank is happy to meet the crucial needs of people living with albinism as the hot season sets in. Said Mugavha:
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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.
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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, George Mafararikwa said Stanbic Bank had now proved to be “an all-weather friend” given that the partnership was now in its ninth year in support of people living with albinism. He said:
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Stanbic Bank, our major partner in this worthy cause, has stood by us all these years in support of our initiatives.
We in turn as ALCOZ always see to it that the Stanbic Bank’s hand is well extended not only to beneficiaries in Harare and surrounding areas but that it reaches the most marginalized remote areas such as Binga in Matabeleland North, Matobo in Mat. South, Chiredzi Masvingo, Gokwe in Midlands, Chipinge in Manicaland, Mbire in Mashonaland central just to mention but a few.
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He said ALCOZ, just like Stanbic Bank, is committed to putting its shoulder to the wheel in supporting the government’s efforts to alleviate some of the challenges faced by people living with albinism.
Mafararikwa said the sun protection products will help the beneficiaries to integrate easily into their respective communities and see them doing their daily chores safely in the knowledge that their sensitive skin is protected from the harsh weather conditions that have been exacerbated by climate change due to global warming. He said:
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This support from Stanbic Bank resonates well with one of our program thematic areas running under the theme “MELTING UNDER THE DYING OZONE” which focuses mainly on mitigating the effects of climate change on persons with albinism.
Thank you to Stanbic Bank and the entire team that has been behind this compassionate gesture towards the albinism society for the past nine years.
We pray that this partnership continues at an even larger scale as we serve this marginalized society.
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Mugavha said the donation by Stanbic Bank was part of a broader and comprehensive Corporate Social Investment (CSI) strategy by the Standard Bank Group subsidiary to plough back into the communities in which it operates.
Stanbic Bank’s CSI initiatives cover four pillars namely Health and Sanitation, Education, the Environment and Sports.
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Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe gave $25,000 worth of sun protection items to Albino Charity Organisation of Zimbabwe (ALCOZ). This includes sunscreen, soap, lip balm, and sunhats. The bank has helped people with albinism for nine years. People with albinism have little melanin, so they need protection from the sun. ALCOZ will share the donation with people in remote areas too. Albinism is a genetic condition where people lack melanin, affecting their skin, hair, and eyes. They may also have vision problems and are more sensitive to sunlight and risk skin cancer. ALCOZ thanks Stanbic Bank for supporting them and hopes for more support in the future.

Stanbic Bank Donates $25,000 To The Albino Charity Organisation

<div class="hide">Stanbic Bank has donated sun protection products worth US$34 000 to the Albino Charity Organization of Zimbabwe (ALCOZ) as part of its annual Corporate Social Investment (CSI)  contribution towards the welfare of people living with albinism.</div>
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The 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, as well as spectacles for 12 beneficiaries.
This year’s donation marks the fifth consecutive year that Stanbic Bank has assisted ALCOZ as the financial services institution continues to play its part in cushioning people living with albinism against the weather elements, particularly the sun.
Stanbic Bank Head of Marketing and Communications, Palmer Mugavha, said the plight of people living with albinism is often taken for granted as most people are yet to fully appreciate the consequences of exposing their skin to the sun in addition to other challenges they face. Said Mugavha:
<blockquote> As Stanbic Bank we fully appreciate the vulnerability of people living with albinism as well as the economic and social challenges some face daily. The bank is all too aware that some are ostracized and stigmatized over and above the fact that the sun protection products are priced well beyond the reach of many.</blockquote>
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.
He said while this donation is now a fixed calendar for the bank, this year’s contribution is even more essential as it is coming against a background of the Coronavirus which has worsened an already challenging economic situation. Added Mugavha:
<blockquote>The prevailing economic environment coupled with the menacing COVID-19 pandemic which has eroded people’s income and revenue streams has moved Stanbic Bank to stand in that financial gap and support ALCOZ and its members with these products.</blockquote>
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. They rely on sunscreens lotions, special oils and lip balm for protection from the sun.
Last year Stanbic partnered Zimplats to work with the mining company’s “Beyond the Skin” initiative and purchased spectacles for individuals and groups identified by Zimplats. Beyond the Skin’s focus is supporting people living with albinism.
The partnership saw 27 people living with albinism from Binga, Hwange and Lupane districts in Matabeleland North Province receiving spectacles and sunscreen lotions. Said Mugavha:
<blockquote>In terms of the acquisition of spectacles, we have worked with the same partners we worked with last year. Therefore, we would like to thank Zimplats for arranging for the beneficiaries of spectacles to get their eyes screened before we could make the necessary purchases. We also appreciate Optinova’s assistance by providing discounted rates for all the eyewear we purchase for this cause. Such partnerships help in creating greater impact and we are truly grateful.</blockquote>
ALCOZ Founder and Director Mrs Loveness Mainato welcomed the donations saying Stanbic Bank was proving to be an “all-weather friend”, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic era.
Mainato said the organisation has not been spared by the effects of the skewed economic environment worsened by COVID-19, and ALCOZ knew that support from its various donors would be difficult this year as many businesses were not performing well. Said Mainato:
<blockquote> We are deeply touched by Stanbic Bank’s gesture under this COVID-19 scenario. We were thrilled beyond measure when we were told that Stanbic is ready to assist us as they have been doing for the last four years. The heat has been overwhelming and it makes us worry that our children might end up with skin cancers.</blockquote>
Mainato also thanked Stanbic Bank and partners adding that the donation was made at a serious point of need.
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