By Albert Dhafana
Caritas Zimbabwe was on 25 November 2020 awarded a national award in the Excellence in Community Empowerment Award category at the 2020 Zimbabwe National edition of the Environmental, Responsible Business and CSR Awards held at the Harare International Conference Centre. The awards are organised by the CSR Network Zimbabwe in conjunction with the Environmental Management Agency and recognise the efforts of individuals, corporates and groups who are passionate about protection of the environment and take practical steps with and in communities to bring about positive change.
The Ministers of Environment, Climate Change, Tourism and Hospitality Industry AND Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Mangaliso Ndlovu and Professor Pual Mavima graced the occasion as Guest of Honour and Guest Speaker respectively. Many corporates and individuals were recognised for their efforts in care and protection of the environment in the various categories. Caritas Zimbabwe is involved in sustainable agriculture, clean environment endeavours, facilitation of infrastructural development in the areas of water and sanitation, mechanised agriculture, livestock and other livelihoods initiatives. Caritas Zimbabwe responded to issues of food insecurity, gender based violence, water shortages, pollution, COVID-19, reforestation and other empowerment programmes, for example the Food for Assets in Mathobo of Matebeleland. Emergency responses in food provision have been carried out in many parts of the country through partnerships with Caritas Internatioanalis agencies like CRS, CORDAID, CAFOD, TROCAIRE, MISEREOR as well as UN agencies like WFP, UNFPA and also sister dioceses of the Church in the world as well as bodies like EU.
Caritas Zimbabwe’s model is touted for its sustainability due to its utilisation of Church structures which ensure inclusivity, hence remarkable impact on individuals and communities. A number of dioceses got awards with the national one being the icing on the cake- capping a year that was.
