Zimbabwe Victims’ Support Fund and its Purposes
During 2023, the ZVSF Trustees in the UK, working with our partners and colleagues in Zimbabwe, have continued to supply food aid to the people of Matabeleland. Their inability to meet their own food requirements was compounded by the problems caused by the collapse of the Zimbabwean dollar.
Pastors Robert Chatindo and Bheki Siziba have continued to supply food to the really needy people in Gwanda, Plumtree South, Beit Bridge, Masvingo, Mazwi, Killarney, Spring Farm and Heaney Junction – all these communities are in regions of acute deprivation and food shortage. We also supplied primary schools in Lupane with mealie meal during term times. As in previous years, 20 tonnes went to Hillside Methodist Church for onward distribution to the needy of Bulawayo, including the Island Hospice, Bulawayo Shelter and a hospice run by Youth for Christ.
ZVSF has also funded the creation of a community garden during 2023. Now known as Intuthuko (which means progress through training and development), it is located on some land at Escadini (some 12 miles outside the urban area) owned by the City Presbyterian Church of Bulawayo. Our funds were used to purchase a solar pump and install a network of rubber pipes which drip feed vegetable (for example: onions, carrots, cabbages and chomolia) plants. The activities on the garden are managed by a committee elected from the ‘gardeners’ who are aided by Xolani Ndlovu (a pastor at the Presbyterian Church) and ZDDT (Zimbabwe Democracy Development Trust).
Research and Consultation
The Trustees remain in close contact with the partners and colleagues in Bulawayo so that they are aware of local developments. They also monitor Zimbabwean on-line publications and take into account such research as is published by FEWS Net (Famine Early Warning Systems Network – funded by US Aid) – which substantiate the reports from our colleagues. From time to time, one of our Trustees has visited Zimbabwe with a view to ensuring that ZVSF’s modus operandi is in line with the needs of the people of Matabeleland. The most recent visit was in August 2024.
Advocacy and Information
The Trustees have continued to post relevant information on the ZVSF website in order to communicate with those British people interested in and concerned about the plight of Zimbabweans. They have also opened a Facebook page which focuses on the work of ZVSF in Zimbabwe. They distribute to past and present donors bi-annual reports on the activities of ZVSF, and they promote the work of the Charity whenever and wherever possible by presentations, conversations and digital communications.
ZIMBABWE vicfiMS' SUPPORT FUND RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT for the year ended 31 December 2023 2022 2023 RECEIPTS 88,243 Donations 72,072 16.692 Gift Aid Received 11,539 35 Interest 297 104,970 83,908 PAYMENTS 87,151 Remittances to Zimbabwe 95,865 Bank Charges 468 125 Printing Costs 289 87.660 96,622 Surplus/lDÈfic•tl for year 17,310 112,7151 36,133 Funds brought forward 53,443 53,443 Funds carried forward 40.728 The funds carried forward at 31 December 2023 land 31 December 20221 are represented by cash at bank Slgned on behalf of the Clrity's tru5tee5 Hon Treasurer Date: Ii.?.z+ Trustee Date..
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