AFRE Corporation recently donated US$20 000 to various charitable institutions throughout the country as part of its corporate social investment thrust. The beneficiaries of the donation included Zimcare

Tinokwirira, Tose Respite Care Home, Island Hospice, Children at Heart Foundation, Alpha Cottages Children's Home, Chikanga School, Rugare Old People's Home, Ralstein Home, Ekhuphumeleni Home and Training Institute.

Addressing the recipients during the handover ceremony, Afre group chief executive Mr Douglas Hoto said the initiative was aimed at assisting communities where they operate.

In addition, he said it was as an integrative approach by the group to partner organisations that are relevant to society's needs.

"In selecting the recipients for 2012, we ascertained the role your organisations are playing in your respective communities and the impact which you are making to your areas and the subsequent ripple effect to our country.

"As Afre we believe that your organisations are playing a big role in enhancing the community across the broad spectrum of needs from old people's homes through to palliative care programmes, a feat for which we commend you.

"Our business of risk management, wealth creation and wealth management falls in the tertiary sector, and in order for this sector to be viable the primary and secondary sectors in our society must be functional and viable hence the focus on the communities within which we do business.

"Our initiatives are not only limited to community improvement assistance, but are targeted at improving the primary and secondary sectors of the society.

"In that regard our focus is aligned to the Millennium Development Goals where our efforts are targeted towards poverty and hunger eradication as well as education which fit in with the intention to create a viable primary and secondary sector as this comprises our future market," he said.

Mr Hoto also commended the recipients describing them as unsung heroes who quietly contribute to people's lives in a manner that cannot be quantified in dollar terms through restoration of people's dignity, which is often overlooked and yet is core to a human beings' existence.