HelpAge Zimbabwe (HAZ) is a formally registered Non-Governmental Organization (WO/89) established in 1989 to work with and for older persons in Zimbabwe. Over the years HelpAge Zimbabwe has consolidated its national and regional influence to promote healthy ageing and the fulfillment of Older Persons’ (Ops) rights to nutrition, health, dignity, shelter, social security, property, inheritance and work. As an affiliate to HelpAge International (HAI) a global network of 200 organizations in over 70 countries HelpAge Zimbabwe has mobilized international experience to deliver significant impacts for Older Persons at National level. Recognizing that Older Persons constitute both an active human resource and an object for social development the scope for HelpAge Zimbabwe has strategically expanded to include other vulnerable community members of the community namely women, children and those living with disabilities.
Geographical Scope
HelpAge Zimbabwe has a registered presence in all the ten provinces working in different districts down to the village level. Utilizing Community Based Approaches (CBAs) HelpAge Zimbabwe works with community structures to develop and sustain relevant grassroots driven programmes to address poverty in both urban and rural areas.
Financial Management and Accountability Capacity
HAZ has a competent, dedicated and highly qualified finance team headed by the Finance and Adninstration Manager. There is adequate segregation of duties within the department. Finance processes are clearly spelt out in the Organization’s policy and procedures manual and were designed using the General Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP). Regular audits have been carried out by reputable audit firms since 1989, when HAZ was established.
Governance and Management Structure
HAZ is governed by a board of directors and receives guidance on strategic matters from its membership of 14 committed men and women of diverse background. Its operations are headed by the Executive Director, supported by the programs manager and finance manager. The field staff team is headed by a program coordinator, supported by programme officers responsible for different interventions such as WASH, Agriculture and Social Protection. The monitoring and evaluation officer is field based, responsible for ensuring timely programme implementation, impact assessment and lesson documentation.
HelpAge has worked effectively in the following programmes
Advocacy
HelpAge has developed competencies in advocating policy and legal reform to support older persons in Zimbabwe. Various advocacy efforts have culminated in the enactment of Acts of Parliament and Formulation of policies namely Older Persons Act of 2012, National Eye Health Strategy by the Government of Zimbabwe 2014-2018.
HAZ has developed expert competencies in Community awareness raising, Appropriate IEC material development, Position papers, preparation of Policy Briefs, Petitions to parliament, litigation, shadow reports to committees of experts, engagement of Parliamentary Portfolio Committees and working with good will ambassadors as tools for advocacy on various issues.
Currently HelpAge is seized with advocating adoption of universal pension and ratification of the Africa Union
Eye Care
HAZ has worked to improve the quality and quantity of eye care services. Its key focus has been the development of a mid-eye care workforce to increase access to eye health services and to reduce the cataract surgical backlog in Zimbabwe. HAZ has facilitated the cataract surgical operations of over 35000 people since 2000. Its eye care efforts has seen the integration of PEC into PHC and the formulation of National Strategies for eye care in Zimbabwe.
Water Sanitation and Health
HAZ has worked in various rural and urban areas to improve access to water Sanitation and Health in Zimbabwe. Major projects have been
- Piped water schemes in Chegutu
- Borehole drilling and rehabilitation in Zvishavane, Chiredzi, Gwanda, Bulawayo,Highfield and Rushinga
- Hygiene promotion and Blair toilet constructions in Chiredzi and Zvishavane
Nutrition
At the center of all interventions is nutrition support among the vulnerable groups in both rural and urban areas. Its flagship interventions included
- Establishing of nutritional gardens, school feeding, vulnerable group feeding, agricultural input distribution in Nkayi, Hurungwe,Makoni, Zvishavane,Chiredzi,Gutu ,Bulawayo,Mzilikazi,Highfield and Mutare,Rukweza and Gwanda
- Institutional feeding programmes in Old People’s Homes and Children’s Homes
- Conservation Farming and Livestock distribution has yielded positive results in El-Nino hit areas such as Bikita ,Gutu and Chiredzi.
Positive Livelihoods
HAZ seeks to improve Livelihood Options at Household and community level through a number of initiatives such as Internal Savings and Lending (ISALS) among women in Zimbabwe. HAZ has facilitated the formation, operation and sustainability of Income Generating Projects (IGPS) such as Agro-based initiatives.
HIV and AIDS Responses
HAZ has a coordinated various multi-sectoral responses to HIV and AIDS since 2000 with significant improvements in access to health services, reducing gender based vulnerabilities and positive living. Has trained and coordinated Home Based Care activities in both rural and urban areas. HAZ provided Psycho-social support among Households infected and affected with HIV and AIDS
Social Protection
HAZ has facilitated the provision of Social Protection services among vulnerable communities through
Programmes such as Social Cash Transfers for older persons headed households in Chiredzi, Child headed households in Zvishavane Chiredzi Highfield Mzilikazi
HAZ piloted a study of Social Accountability in the Harmonized Social Cash Transfer (HSCT) in Zvishavane as means to improve the Complains and Grievance Handling Mechanism.
Shelter
HAZ was involved in the resettlement of mobile vulnerable populations and House construction in Shiloh Estate, supported the residence of Shiloh Estate with setting up and operation of water irrigation
Emergency and Drought Relief Programmes
HAZ has been involved in various humanitarian efforts in Zimbabwe mainly to improve resilience and adaptation in adverse economic conditions such as drought. Drought relief initiatives such as food and non-food item distribution among the poor has been its mainstay activities. Recently HAZ got involved in Cyclone Idai relief efforts seeking to improve social inclusion of Older Persons Support in Humanitarian initiative (SOSHA). HAZ provided Psycho-social Support and livelihood recovery activities in Chimanimani and Chipinge Districts.