By Salome Gangire

Neno, June 6, Mana: Neno Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church Dorcas Women on Wednesday cheered and shared food with patients at Neno District Hospital.

According to Shepardess Nancy Zidana the women extended the gesture to the patients as part of activities commemorating community service emphasis week, where they do a number of charitable activities in their communities.

“Today, we have provided food to the patients from female, male and paediatric wards as one way of showing love and compassion to the sick as commanded by Jesus Christ in Matthew 25: 31-45,” Zidana said.

Zidana said Dorcas women are replicating the works of Dorcas in the Bible who was doing charity works, feeding and clothing the poor and the sick.

She said the whole of this week, they have been engaged in a number of charity activities as they also shared food with suspects in holding cells at Neno Police Station, swept surroundings of  Neno Police formation and cleaned offices, swept Chikonde market and primary school, respectively.

“We are also cheering women and people in need in our communities where we are donating clothes, food and also praying with them,” she said.

Zidana said all the initiatives have been made possible by donations from Dorcas women who contributed money and resources to carry out the charitable activities.

Neno District Hospital Nursing Officer, Martha Kutsamba, thanked the women for the generosity to the patients and sharing the word of encouragement.

One of the beneficiaries, Tadala Mwangala, thanked the women for the food provided to them, saying the nutritious food will complement the medication they are receiving at the hospital.

“I am grateful for the food we have received today which will make a difference in our lives. The visit has assured us of God’s love and presence,” Mwangala said.

Community service week was launched on June 1 at Balaka Stadium. During this week, Adventists are involved in a number of public services following the method of Jesus to bring help and hope through the ministry of compassion.