They invited a few close friends and work colleagues to a local bar and appealed for donations as well as auctioning off a painting by renowned Zimbabwean artist Jenny Whalley and internationally recognised photographer Rossanne Pellegrino. They were so overwhelmed by the support that they received and the genuine sympathy of people for the plight of Zimbabweans that they decided to set up a charity to raise money for those in need on an ongoing basis, and so VIMBA was born.
The group have held two events so far in London. They have raised in excess of £5,000 and the money has gone towards helping to feed and clothe needy orphans at a home on the outskirts of Harare and the Adonis Musati project which aids Zimbabwean refugees in South Africa. Every cent that VIMBA receives is donated to the people that they are helping support and the group keep no money to cover their costs.
Shay Thompson, 25, from Gweru came up with the idea. “VIMBA was formed out of the horrible feeling of helplessness we all felt and watching the awful suffering that was taking place. It was genuine love and compassion that united a few close friends into doing something to make a change,” she said.
VIMBA have applied for charity status in the UK and they hope to achieve it shortly. – www.vimba.co.uk Â
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