By: Pheello Mosesi
On July 3, Standard Lesotho Bank (SLB) visited the Elizabeth Bruyele Old Age Home in Leribe to donate blankets, winter clothes and food packages.
The old age home is under the care of the Sisters of Charity association and accommodates a capacity of 15 men and women.
The social responsibility run by SLB has an astounding R100 000.00 invested in it to solely help the poor, the elderly, people living with disabilities and orphans. Speaking at the event, a member of Our Lady of Pontmain Convent, Sister Alice Mputsoe, gave her gratitude for the support SLB provided the home with.
“SLB has made an enormous act of giving back which we can never take lightly,” she uttered these words before revealing that a great portion of the elderly seated in the room were investors in SLB.
“You, as the elderly, have invested in the bank when you used to work, and this is an act that shows appreciation.”
”This bank is here to help, not just to create a publicity stunt. This is not something that we are going to forget even years after this. Sisters of Charity is grateful for the presence of the bank,” she added.
Mamojabeng Mofube, representing the elderly, said they have never experienced anything like what the blue bank had done.
“We are well taken care of by our caretakers here along with the SLB. Life is hard at our age, the young ones challenge us and pay no attention to our advice. But seeing that the young staff of SLB has remembered us in these trying times warms our hearts.”
Public Relations Officer of the bank, Manyathela Kheleli, said the initiative is themed winter drive and focuses on giving back to the community, with the prime beneficiaries being vulnerable groups.
“I needed to be here regardless of my tight schedule. The elderly are the cornerstone of society. I love being a part of initiatives like this one.”
He further indicated that the growth of the bank which enables it to succeed in initiatives like this, relies heavily on the support of Basotho who bank at SLB.
“The support of Basotho also enables initiatives like this, in return, we hold a responsibility to give back to the community.”
“Our mission is to help Lesotho thrive and advance. We understand the sacrifices that old people make towards helping the communities grow, so much that they even forget themselves.”
“All the partners who are contributing towards the growth of the country are indebted to you as the elderly. Social Development also made this work possible through the Sisters For Charity association.” He added.
“Since it is winter right now, we felt it was appropriate to come and help the elderly. We started this initiative last year helping in the correctional services. We are focused on orphanages, elderly homes and disability homes this year,” he remarked.
