NetOne, being one of the leading mobile telephony companies does not exist only to provide wide mobile network coverage but reaches out to the less privileged members of the community as well. This came to light today when the company extended a giving hand to people with albinism at it’s headquarters in Harare.
The spirit of camaraderie and merry-making punctuated the event. The young and the old alike took to the dance floor as sweet, melodious music emanated from the titanic loudspeakers provided by NetOne. There was a variety of music genres as gifts rained from Netone to ensure that those with albinism will have a merry Christmas and a happy New year 2020.
“We want to show people that we have differences in skin colour but we can equally do what all the others do. At Alive Albinism we advocate for equal rights. We are raising awareness through visiting churches, children’s homes. Most children with albinism are raised in broken families because most spouses, especially males, move out of the relationships. So our problems start right from birth.
“Most midwives don’t understand albinism and don’t educate mothers of children with albinism about the special care and treatment that their children need including the need for sunscreen lotions, sun hats or long sleeved clothes. We are equal despite society’s discrimination and stigma where getting a job for persons with albinism is an uphill task,” said Gwenlisa Tapiwa Mushonga, the Founder of Alive Albinism.
She paid tribute to NetOne for leading by example through the donation of an assortment of goodies towards Christmas festivities. She urged other corporates to emulate NetOne by initiating self-help projects for people with albinism.
One of NetOne’s corporate social investment pillars is One Care which speaks to Philanthropic initiatives premised on SDG1 that seeks to eradicate Poverty and SDG 2 on Zero Hunger.
“People with Albinism are one of the vulnerable groups we selected this year to add smiles to their faces by donating food hampers to them as part of spreading festive cheer this Christmas. We appreciate that this community is usually sidelined and ostracised and they struggle to get decent work as many people do not understand their condition.
“As such as the Netone that cares and is committed to transforming lives and impacting communities,we saw it fit to do something special for persons living with Albinism in partnership with Alive Albinism. We also have several opportunities they can adopt for self empowerment through becoming one money agents who facilitate several transactions from the comfort of their homes whilst earning a commission or selling airtime via One Top Up and generating income to fund critical needs such as sunscreen, foodstuffs and clothing to mention but a few,” said Dr Eldrette Shereni, NetOne’s Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Affairs.
Alive Albinism was registered in 2015. It’s vision is to see a world where people with albinism rise and compete with the rest of society. The organisation was formed primarily to assist women with albinism who are more vulnerable to abuse but extends services to girls and boys with that skin condition.