For Zimworx, philanthropy has never been about the size of a donation, it is about the size of the difference it makes. That thinking was on full display during a recent visit to Tsungirirai Welfare Organisation in Norton, where Zimworx delivered food supplies to support a feeding programme now reaching 120 school-going orphans and vulnerable children with a hot meal every day.
“We want to do more than feed them”
Zimworx Vice President of Workplace Wellness and Philanthropy, Dr Lionel Young, joined the visit and put the company’s commitment in blunt terms, the need in Norton is real, and Zimworx intends to be part of the answer.
“There is so much in the world that is broken, and so many needs in our world,” Dr Young said, invoking Mother Teresa’s words, “If you cannot feed a hundred hungry children, feed one.”
“This is the place that is feeding several hundred hungry children, and we want to do our part. But we want to do more than that, we want to help children learn life skills so that they grow up and make a contribution to the world.”
He had a direct word of encouragement for the Tsungirirai team, “We are so thankful for the work that Tsungirirai is doing here, and we would like to encourage you to continue to persevere, just like your name.”
A mandate built on more than material support
Also speaking at the handover, Zimworx Workplace Wellness Senior Pastor, Pastor Blessing Makwara said the company’s giving is guided by a simple principle, walk alongside communities, don’t just hand something over and leave.
“Our focus is beyond the donation of food items for hot meals, the desire is to journey together while transforming lives,” he said. “When you have got a meal that you could not have otherwise, life is transforming. When you get to learn life skills, we believe that’s going to be the story where we are celebrating transformation.”
That principle is exactly why Tsungirirai caught Zimworx’s attention. Alongside its feeding programme and early childhood development centre, Tsungirirai shares its premises with Carstie Technical Training Centre, which provides practical life-skills training in baking and mechanics. Through partnerships like this, Tsungirirai creates opportunities for children and the wider community to access practical and developmental support, precisely the kind of holistic, whole-person impact Zimworx looks for in a partner.
“We really appreciate the services that Tsungirirai is offering, cutting across life skills from baking, mechanics, the ECD learning centre and the food programme that is making an impact on the vulnerable children in the community,” Pastor Makwara said. “We are keen to support and partner in making a difference. To all the stakeholders around Norton, let’s partner in making a difference.”
The difference on the ground
The numbers tell part of the story, 120 children fed daily, alongside school fees and stationery support for vulnerable learners in Chegutu District. According to Tsungirirai programmes officer Moira Chifungo, that work has continued even after the organisation lost funding last year, and partners like Zimworx have helped fill the gap.
“We are currently feeding 120 children, providing school fees support and stationery support. Although it is not enough, we continue to grow and make a difference,” Chifungo said, thanking Zimworx and other stakeholders who have stood by the organisation. “We continue to thank all the stakeholders that continue to help us support the communities to be better.”
It’s a partnership Zimworx sees as ongoing rather than one-off, another expression of a philanthropy mandate that measures success not in donations made, but in lives changed alongside the communities it serves.