End of Year Report 2008
As we come to the close of our first full year as an active charity, we would firstly like to extend our sincere thanks to all our supporters - friends, family, colleagues and even strangers to Vimba have opened their hearts to give to others during a time of desperate need.
The purpose of this report is to summarize our activity over the year, provide transparent details of money raised, and to highlight our achievements.
Events
Summer Sizzler – Adonis Musati Project
This event was held at Bar 366 in Earlsfield on a sunny Saturday afternoon in April (quite possibly the nicest weather we had had all April!). Thanks to kind prize donors, ample raffle draws took place, and through attendance and the sale of delicious boerewors rolls, along with donations, we raised an amazing £1769.60!! A special thanks to Kirsty Sclanders for her prize donations on behalf of UniBet, and to The Savannah shop for their kind donations.
Proceeds from the day went to the Adonis Musati Project, which was formed in Cape Town and named after the Zimbabwean Adonis Musati. The crisis in Zimbabwe forced this man, a policeman by profession, to move to South Africa and look for work in order to support his family.
Adonis’s story is his own; however it is very similar to that of many other Zimbabwean men, women and children who arrive in South Africa, desperate to earn some money to send to their family back home. It is becoming almost impossible to live off a normal salary of Zimbabwean dollars of people are therefore forced to cross the great Limpopo River every day to explore their last hope of survival –South Africa.
The Adonis Musati Project supports people like Adonis, feeding them everyday and providing them with clothing and other essentials, like blankets and soap. The refugees also have the knowledge that somebody cares for them, that people know their plight exists and that we want to help them. Vimba’s donation went to both feeding and clothing the people who the Adonis Musati Project supports.
More information and pictures of refugees in CT are available on our website http://www.vimba.co.uk/the-adonis-musati-project/.
Container Appeal - TBC
We had an overwhelming response to our container clothing appeal at the end of June this year, even making the Daily Telegraph which led to one of our bedrooms being piled ceiling high with clothes for up to a fortnight before they were collected! The clothes are still en route, but we are hoping they will reach Zimbabwe soon, and we are assured of their safe arrival. As soon as further information is available we will have a news update on our website. Thank you to all those who cleared out their closets!
Zimfest 2008 – Good Sheppard Centre
At the end of August on a truly sunny English day, Zimfest was held in London, its purpose to celebrate all things Zimbabwean. WEZIMBABWE is the driving force behind the annual event , and Vimba were invited by the charity to help with the organization prior to and on the day of the event- we feel fortunate to have played a part in its success. Our aim for the day was to raise awareness about Vimba, as well as launch our very own clothing label ‘Love Africa’. (Visit the Vimba Shop http://www.vimba.co.uk/vimba-shop/.) A special thanks to Tee Candy for their kind involvement with printing our shirts.
Proceeds from the day went to the Good Sheppard Centre, an orphanage located in Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe. The project supports 64 children and they rely heavily on donations to feed, clothe, school and house these children. The centre is run by the amazing Colin and Ann Harper along with other volunteers and our donation of £300 was used for food, medicine, clothing and educational supplies. (For a detailed breakdown please visit our website http://www.vimba.co.uk/zimfest-proceeds/.)
Donations
We very recently received a kind corporate donation of £500 from construction and management consultancy Turner & Townsend. The money has been used to buy food which is currently being packed for distribution in the desperate and isolated area of Mutoko, recently visited by our team member Shay. The report on her trip was a tale of sadness and disbelief that such a beautiful country and its people are enduring such suffering.
We are in the process of making plans for the food packs to be delivered as soon as is viably possible. News on this endeavor will be made public on our in the New Year, keep checking for updates.
A big thank you to T&T and to our contacts on the ground. Without our support base in Zimbabwe, our attempts at providing as much help as we can, to whoever we can, would be futile.
General News
Our greatest achievement this year is quite possibly the fact that we were made a registered charity through the UK Charity Commission! Since the 14th August 2008 Vimba is officially registered charity 1125516! This magic little number allows us to qualify for certain monetary benefits as a charity, making your donations go further. It also gives us credibility and a leg up in our next goal to secure some corporate sponsorship and funding. We have great plans for 2009!
Welcome
We would also like to extend a warm welcome to new committee member, Kelly Harrison. Kelly has been an enthusiastic supporter since Vimba started, and with team members Sophie and Elise spreading the Vimba love abroad, we thought it was time to recruit a new pair of hands on deck!
In Closing...
The Vimba team has grown closer and stronger over the past year - we have learned a lot and continue to learn. Through your generous support, we have been empowered to help where we can to make a difference, no matter how big or small.
The chaos in Zimbabwe ensues and we ask you all to keep the people who are suffering in your prayers and thoughts over the festive period - the season of giving.
If you would like to learn more about Vimba or any related initiatives, please feel free to contact us on info@vimba.co.uk . As always, any feedback or suggestions are appreciated and donations of course are always graciously received.
We wish you, our kind supporters, family and friends a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May 2009 bring peace where it is needed most.
Kind wishes -
The Vimba Team.
