The Zimbabwe Aid Fund (ZAF) was established in 2006 for the sole purpose of raising funds to support the pensioners in Zimbabwe. The plight of the elderly is one of the less publicised outcomes of Zimbabwe’s social, economic and political collapse. There are a number of institutions for the aged spread throughout Zimbabwe, most of them are dependent on various levels of external funding to survive. In addition to the retirement homes, there are many elderly Zimbabweans still living in their own homes that are also dependent on donated food parcels for their survival.
The money raised by the Zimbabwe Aid Fund (ZAF) is used to fund the purchase of food for the pensioners. The Committee will also look to contribute funds to all worthwhile priority projects for the pensioners including equipment and medicines. The funds are sent to SOAP in Harare and Bulawayo who purchase the food and make up the parcels for delivery to the pensioners once a month. ZAF does not support individual requests.
Donors to ZAF are assured that all donated funds are accounted for. No money is paid over to Zimbabwean Government Agencies, International Aid Agencies or NGO’s. The activities of the Zimbabwe Aid Fund are audited annually by a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia. In addition annual returns are made to the Fair Trade Departments of the NSW and Queensland State governments. The fund has no salaried employees, all work is done on a voluntary basis and has little or no administration expenses.
Support, by way of donations and fundraisers is important to the survival of these elderly people. They are very proud and are not looking for sympathy – however they are very appreciative of the assistance they receive. They do not have any means of conveying their gratitude to those overseas, but convey their thanks to those on the ground and are often reduced to tears when given a box of very basic foodstuffs.
The role performed by the Zimbabwe Aid Fund is now critical to their survival.
Due to limited funding the Zimbabwe Aid Fund only support SOAP in Harare and Bulawayo. ZAF is unfortunately unable to support individual requests.