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Members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and those of other security forces injured in the line of duty receive treatment and skills training to suit their changed situations

Staff Reporter
The Zimbabwe National Army continues to make efforts to address the needs of its challenged members who so diligently serve the nation in both war and peacetime.

The fundraising efforts made through the Army Charities, a Fund established in 1997 have today resulted in many lives in the organisation getting transformed for the better.

After the realisation that there were some ZNA members and their dependants who needed assistance from time to time, the organisation established the Army Charity Fund in 1997 as a vehicle to fundraise for the organisation’s five charities.

These charities are Tsanga Lodge Convalescent Centre, The ZNA Benevolent Fund, the ZNA Widows and Orphans’ Fund, The ZNA Schools Welfare Trust and the ZNA Patients’ Fund.

Tsanga Lodge Convalescent Centre

Located in the Eastern Highlands of Nyanga, Tsanga Lodge Rehabilitation Centre is a centre where members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and other security forces injured in the line of duty receive treatment and skills training to suit their changed situations. Many people who had written themselves off were given hope after passing through the centre.

Some of the life skills clients are taught include carpentry, aquaculture and horticulture, among many others.

The ZNA Widows and Orphans Benevolent Fund

The ZNA Widows and Orphans Benevolent Fund assists widows and orphans of deceased members during the processing of terminal benefits. The Fund also helps the widows to start income generating projects. Currently, the Fund is paying school fees for more than a hundred orphans.

The ZNA Schools Welfare Trust Fund

The ZNA Schools Welfare Trust is responsible for maintaining existing structures at Army schools, constructing new ones and equipping the schools for the benefit of children attending these schools within cantonment areas.

Of note is that not only children and dependants of serving members attend these schools but the Army offers these facilities to communities around its cantonment areas.

The ZNA Benevolent Fund

The ZNA Benevolent Fund was established to take care of troops on deployment such as De-mining and Border Control Operations. With the current de-mining operations along the country’s borders, the Fund continues to be handy through the provision of goodies, sports kit and entertainment equipment.

The ZNA Patients Welfare Trust Fund

The ZNA Patients Welfare Trust Fund was established with the aim of providing assistance and welfare goodies to members admitted in hospitals and to those ill at home. The fund is also used to purchase goodies such as fruit baskets, drinks, get-well-soon cards and flowers for members.

In order to raise funds for these five charities, the ZNA has a number of welfare activities they carry out. These include the Charities Soccer Shield, the Commander ZNA Charities Ball, the Bulawayo Dinner Dance and Golf Tournament and the Charities Horse Race.