Zimbabwe
HelpAge Zimbabwe was established in 1989 and works in several areas including:
- HIV and AIDS: Recognizing older people as care givers and addressing their needs and rights.
- Social Protection: Helping older people access their right to a pension and additional support where they are carers of others, notably orphans and vulnerable children.
- Livelihoods: Ensuring that older people and their families have access to secure work and livelihood programmes and activities. This includes work in disaster and conflict situations.
- Health: Securing access to free and basic healthcare for older people, particularly in times of emergencies or conflicts.
The difference we made in 2009-10
- We worked in Mhototi, Indaba, Mutambi and Murowa to provide older people with cash transfers, healthcare and offer support for education and school fees.
- We have trained farmers and helped them acquire items such as vegetable seeds and garden tools.
- We have established new water points, trained water point committees, pump minders and provided them with tool kits.
- In schools, clinics and throughout communities we have improved sanitation by providing buckets, aqua tablets, soap, medication and information.
- We have established community champions to talk about ageing and raising awareness of ageing with community leaders.
What next?
We are going to fight for:
- older people from across the country to be involved in the process of drafting the new Zimbabwean constitution
- the passing of a Bill of Rights for older people
- increased attention to the effects of HIV and AIDS on older people.
Our partners
The Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Public Service Labour and Social Services, Ministry of Education and Culture, Ministry of Home Affairs, Local Authorities, Traditional leaders, FACT, Island Hospice, WFP, IOM, World Vision, Action Aid, Farm Community Trust, CARE International, EC, Lotto, HelpAge International, AUSAID, UNICEF, Royal Norwegian Embassy, GRM, Firelight Foundation, Practical Action, Save the Children UK.