Zimbabwe Down Syndrome Association, a private and voluntary organisation working with parents of children living with the condition in Bulawayo, is appealing for financial assistance from Christian organisations, companies and well-wishers in order to expand their operations.

A down syndrome is an abnormal condition in which a person is born with a wide, flat face, sloping eyes and a mental ability that is below average.

“We are appealing to the private sector to help us achieve our goals.  We need to reach out to as many parents and guardians of children living with the down syndrome, but lack of resources is hampering us in that,” Mrs Sibonisiwe Mazula, the organisation’s coordinator told Relzim.org yesterday September 19, 2011).

Mrs Mazula said interested Good Samaritans may visit them at their offices situated along Bastch Street between 3rd and 6th Avenues near McCurtain Primary School. She added that well-wishers may also contact them on telephone number (09) 884535 or even e-mail them on [email protected]

The organisation, which sometimes buys uniforms and pay school fees for a number of children with the Down syndrome in Bulawayo, last Friday had a free of charge “Peanut Butter Production Workshop aimed at equipping parents of children living with the condition and those employed as grinders. Over twenty participants were taken through the three stages of peanut butter production – shelling, roasting and grinding.

The workshop was graced by officials from Africa Development Foundation and Tanroy Engineering, project financiers and suppliers of the peanut butter making machines respectively.

The peanut-butter project seeks to raise funds to further improve the lives of the partially disabled children, and Mrs Mazula said funds permitting, they would take the project to rural areas as well.

She said the 27-year-old organisation which has previously been helped by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, needs transport to reach out to communities across the country.