Away Day Brings Smiles to Harare Children's Hospital
British Embassy, British Council and Department for International Development staff have an Away Day at Harare Children's Hospital
Head of DFID Jane Rintoul puts finishing touches to a painting at the Children's Hospital's playroom
British Embassy, British Council and the Department for International Development (DFID) staff have given the Harare Children’s Hospital a timely facelift by cleaning up the hospital grounds and renovating and equipping the surgical ward’s playroom as well as the outdoor playground.
Ambassador Bronnert, together with her counterparts Jane Rintoul Head of DFID and British Council Director Jill Coates and staff also spent time interacting with admitted children and their guardians.
The gesture, made possible through the London 2012 Olympic Legacy Fund also served as a team building opportunity for 102 staff members who took a break from their busy office work schedules to give a helping hand to the local hospital.
British Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Deborah Bronnert said “in addition to the supporting the Harare Children’s Hospital, from 2011 to 2015 the UK through DFID is providing £131 million to Zimbabwe’s health sector, to improve access to quality maternal and child health services , provide anti-retroviral therapy, and increase access to family planning”.
Harare Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Ms Peggy Zvavamwe thanked Ambassador Bronnert and her staff saying “this is an early Christmas present for the children’s hospital as the now pleasant surroundings create an even more conducive atmosphere for our patients to recover faster.”