Reading the reports from Zimbabwe, I am always struck by one undeniable truth: the profound depth of the relationship between ZANE’s incredible carers and the people they support.
It is truly remarkable that every single beneficiary is known personally. Carers don’t just drop off life-saving medicine, food, and financial aid—they invest real time to ensure each individual feels deeply valued and loved.
Here are a few of their stories, as shared by one of our ZANE carers:
Barbie N
Barbie N, who was referred to us by a concerned friend just over two months ago, has since become critically ill. We initially arranged for her to see a doctor, where it was quickly identified that she had a serious issue with her circulation. She was immediately admitted to the hospital, and following X-rays, it was discovered that she would need to have her leg amputated.
Due to Barbie’s dementia, managing her care in the hospital has been particularly challenging. She is often disoriented and unaware of her surroundings, which has necessitated the provision of 24-hour nursing care to keep her calm and supported. In addition to her leg condition, Barbie has developed a lung infection and is currently receiving intravenous antibiotics. Her heart is also very weak.
Should her health stabilise, the medical team plans to proceed with the amputation in the coming week. There are ongoing financial shortfalls related to X-rays and other necessary procedures. Sadly, Barbie has no family to support her, as she is widowed and has no children, making her situation difficult, and she is totally dependent on the charity.
4 Elderly Ladies
Last month, I met with a local social worker, and she accompanied me to assess 4 elderly women who live in remote rural villages.
I found all were in dire need of food, and having no family members close by, they were relying on their neighbours for handouts. This places a burden on the poor neighbours who are also unemployed and struggling. Another local charity has promised to have some volunteers at the centre visit a few times a week to check and carry out simple tasks, such as carrying buckets of water for these women.
It is impressive how the community who have so little themselves will try to help others less fortunate. Our contribution will be in the form of monthly food packs, which should take some of the pressure off the neighbours.
* Names and images may have been changed for privacy reasons
If you are already a ZANE donor, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. If you are not a donor but would like to be, please follow the link below and know that every donation, however big or small, goes directly to where it is most needed. If you would like to help but can’t donate, please join the ZANE family and ‘like’ or ‘share’ our posts or write us a Google review – every positive step helps spread the word about the life changing work ZANE does.
Thank you – Nicky Passaportis ZANE Australia
Please donate to support pensioners struggling to survive in Zimbabwe
Any assistance is greatly appreciated and goes a long way to giving our pensioners a better quality of life and lift the pressure of money worries which is very debilitating emotionally.
(Donations made to ZANE in Australia, are tax-deductible)