This gave birth to the Zimra’s Charity Fund, which was started at the Authority’s inception in 2001 with staff being made to pay fines for handling themselves in a manner not worthy of a Zimra official. Such misdemeanours which attracted fines for the benefit of the Charity Fund included having one’s mobile phone ringing during a meeting; not properly putting on a Zimra uniform or name badge; using a pen not befitting a Zimra official during a meeting; starting a meeting before praying; or even disrupting the flow of a meeting through various means.
The corporate world came in to support the Zimra Charity Fund by supporting the inaugural Zimra Charity Ball which was held in 2004 to raise funds for the underprivileged. Since then, the Authority has been holding the Charity Ball religiously to raise funds for the less fortunate members of society. Proceeds from the Charity Ball are distributed to selected charities throughout the country.
In 2011, the Charity Ball was graced by the presence of the legendary Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits who joined other sponsors to donate their services for a worthy cause. Over seventy thousand dollars ($70,000.00) was raised from the sale of tables, auctions and cash donations, for which Zimra is very grateful.
Some of the themes that the Authority has adopted for the annual Charity Ball over the years include:• An act of kindness makes a world of difference• The purpose of giving is giving for a worthy cause• To give is to live• Taking care of one another• Going beyond the decade through caring and sharing
The Zimra Charity Fund has so far assisted homes in the construction of greenhouses, sending less fortunate children to school, drilling of boreholes at deserving institutions, introduction of income generating projects, and affording the less fortunate decent meals and shelter, among a myriad of activities undertaken. This would not have been possible without the support of the corporate world.
As John Bunyan aptly says, “You have not lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you”. Together we will subdue the “me, me again, me always” syndrome, which thought lies at the deep root of poverty.
Zimra is actively involved in charity work to uplift the lives of the less fortunate in society. Fundraising activities are mainly through the annual Charity Ball which has so far been held under various themes notably “lend a hand to make a difference”, “an act of kindness can make a world of difference” and “the purpose of giving is giving for a worthy cause”.
“There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be open handed toward your fellow [countrymen] who are poor and needy in your land.” Deuteronomy 15 verse 11
