Registered Nurse at Spire Hartswood Hospital named Spire Healthcare’s Diaspora Champion 2024

Sifiso Sibanda, a Registered Nurse at Spire Hartswood Hospital has been named as Spire Healthcare’s Diaspora Champion 2024. Sifiso received her award alongside other champions at the Tropical Health & Education Trust’s (THET) inaugural Diaspora Health Champions Awards ceremony.

Originally from Mtshabezi Village in Southern Zimbabwe, Sifiso has been working at Spire Hartswood Hospital as a Registered Nurse for the past 13 years. The award was made to Sifiso for her work to raise funds for the drilling of a new borehole in her hometown after the previous one was damaged, leaving her family, friends and the community with no access to clean water.

Sifiso's elderly parents – who still live in Mtshabezi – and the community faced the arduous task of walking long distances to obtain water and resorted to drinking from a contaminated river shared with animals. This posed significant health risks to the entire village.

During a recent visit to see her parents, Sifiso saw the harsh conditions her family and the community were dealing with and was determined to do something about it. When back in the UK, she started planning her fundraising activities and began talking about the hardships endured in her home country.

To date, Sifiso has raised £1,000 which has been spent on a scientific water survey. Further exploration and drilling is needed, before the installation of pumps and solar panels – and this requires further funds. Anyone willing to donate to the fund can do so at the Tibo Moyo Mtshabezi borehole project.

Sifiso Sibanda is raising funds with the support of her colleagues at Spire Hartswood Hospital

Justin Ash, CEO of Spire Healthcare and the Chair of Trustees at THET said: "Congratulations to Sifiso for this award from THET. I am delighted that Sifiso has been recognised as Spire’s Diaspora Champion for her exceptional dedication and outstanding contribution to charity work in Zimbabwe. It is truly inspiring to see Sifiso's commitment and dedication being recognised with this well-deserved award. Her exceptional efforts have not only brought about positive change in healthcare but are also making a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals in her hometown in Mtshabezi, Zimbabwe. Sifiso's achievement is a testament to her exemplary representation of our company. Her tireless work reflects the values and principles that we stand for, and she has truly made us proud."

Sifiso Sibanda with her Diaspora Award for her ongoing fundraising activities

Sifiso also adds: "I am deeply honoured to accept Spire Healthcare’s Diaspora Champion award. In today's interconnected world, it is [a] key that we all give back to our communities and support one another. Whether we are from here or abroad, we have the power to make a positive difference in someone else's life. I am incredibly grateful for this award, but I would be regretful if I didn't acknowledge the amazing support, I have received from my colleagues at Spire Hartswood team. Their dedication to supporting my community in Zimbabwe and their generous donations and love have made a significant impact on the lives of many. Together, we have shown that by our collective efforts, we can create meaningful change and better the lives of others.

"This award is not just a recognition of my work, but a testament to the power of collaboration and the incredible potential we have to make a positive difference in the world. Thank you once again for this honour, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to something bigger than myself."