THE Zimbabwe Visually Impaired Economic Empowerment Organisation (ZVIEEO) marked its second anniversary with celebrations at the Dorothy Duncan Braille Library in Harare, bringing together members, their families and recruits.
Formed in July 2023, the organisation comprises graduates from the Dorothy Duncan Centre for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
It has evolved from a social support group to a force to reckon with in economic empowerment and disability advocacy.
While ZVIEEO continues to seek support, its ultimate goal is not to remain a charity case, but to break new ground and eventually transform to a donor organisation that uplifts others and contributes to the economy.
The group also envisions expanding regionally and internationally, establishing partnerships with other disability-focused organisations.
The organisation’s structure consists of chairperson Isaac Mabhutsu, Nyarai Nkwaira (vice-chairperson) Venencia Taona (treasurer), Bruce Munakamwe (secretary), Justice Ibvisai (vice-secretary) and Owen Mungofa (media and public relations manager).
The event featured presentations from various departments, starting with Nkwaira the business development unit (BDU) team leader, who outlined the unit’s progress.
The BDU has been instrumental in launching income-generating projects.
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Thanks to chairperson Mabhutsu, who provided land, the BDU has initiated horticultural projects, including 10 000 cabbages planted in two batches on June 1 and June 16, and 5 000 tomato plants with transplantation set for this month.
Nkwaira revealed that the cabbage project is funded by member subscriptions, making every participant a shareholder, while the tomato initiative is financed by 10 members.
The BDU has ambitious plans, including summer maize crops, mushroom farming, cattle rearing, piggery, goat farming and mining.
There is also a pending land allocation in Mashonaland West province and a potential six-hectare lease for summer cropping.
Mabhutsu added that the organisation aimed to venture into fisheries, poultry and mushroom production before year-end.
Catherine Kapuya, representing the welfare and psycho-social support (WPSS) committee, shared how the department — established during ZVIEEO’s first year — aims to reach out to the needy and underprivileged in society including senior citizens and students within ZVIEEO and their parent group Dorothy Duncan Centre for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
During the event, WPSS donated clothing and grocery items to six members.
“While we are beginning our work in Harare, we hope to eventually expand across borders and operate internationally and help not just the visually impaired, but anyone in need,” Kapuya said.
The committee is seeking corporate partnerships for fund raising.
The chairperson spoke about the rights of persons with disabilities, stating: “In Zimbabwe, people living with disability have a 10% quota to benefit from any empowerment programme at local, community or national level.”
He noted that while this provision exists, the disabled community should make an extra effort to access these opportunities.
Mungofa, the media and PR manager, announced that ZVIEEO has registered its domain zvieeo.co.zw and is working towards launching a website.
On the advocacy front, Mabhutsu revealed ongoing engagement with government ministries particularly the Agriculture ministry, which has offered to train ZVIEEO members, while the Women Affairs ministry is open to offering financial literacy and entrepreneurship training, among other courses.
“We just have to decide what we want to do and where to do the training,” he said.
He also welcomed government plans to establish a National Commission for People with Disabilities, which could be better than a board.
ZVIEEO plans to establish a fund-raising committee for resource mobilisation as well as a research, training and development committee to coordinate with corporates and government.
“We want persons with disabilities to not be left behind,” he told NewsDay Life & Style, outlining plans to expand into district and provincial offices to serve communities nationwide.
