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Mukudzei Chingwere Herald Reporter
The existence of well-meaning non-governmental organisations, some of which assist vulnerable communities in overcoming their challenges, makes the Government happy, Acting President Constantino Chiwenga said yesterday when praising the major Catholic NGO, Caritas, on its golden jubilee.
Officiating at the Caritas Zimbabwe Golden Jubilee Celebrations at Silveira House in Chishawasha, Harare, he said Caritas had met all registration requirements and had made a major impact on communities.
The kind remarks given to Caritas Zimbabwe come at a time when several NGOs have been red-flagged for meddling in politics, deviating from their founding roles of promoting development.
Acting President Chiwenga said: “Thus, the registration requires Caritas to sign a memorandum of understanding with Government administrative structures to allow it to operate within the confines of its registration as a Public Voluntary Organisation.
“In this aspect, we have seen Caritas being able to meet these requirements. Thus, as Government, we are pleased with the level of compliance and urge other organisations to emulate Caritas.
“Caritas has been working in Zimbabwe through its countrywide networks and partnerships bringing about empowered, resilient communities across the country regardless of ethnicity, race, creed, political and most important religious affinity.”
Acting President Chiwenga said Caritas had been an all-weather friend of the Government of in areas like emergency preparedness and response, water sanitation and hygiene, food security and sustainable livelihood, sustainable community development and community empowerment, among others.
He said the organisation actively and responsibly responded to cyclones and other disasters in the country, augmenting Government efforts to save lives in times of disasters.
“The acts of love, as its name implies, has seen Caritas assisting communities achieving economic empowerment,” said Acting President Chiwenga.
“The Village Savings and Lending Associations programme, has transformed households and communities, graduating from abject poverty and dependence, to self-reliant and independence.
“The establishment of nutrition gardens and micro irrigation schemes in the communities of operation has brought about untold stories of success to the community members.
“Currently, in line with the Government’s National Development Strategy 1, which contains strategies, programmes and projects aimed at eradicating poverty and promoting sustainable livelihoods of the poor, women and youth empowerment and support to people living with disabilities, in line with Vision 2030, Caritas is already aboard the train with its projects.”
Caritas is a Roman Catholic arm for social services, and the Acting President, himself a veteran of the liberation struggle, also reminisced on the assistance the church gave towards the liberation cause.
The relationship was well established during the liberation war, and now, said Acting President Chiwenga, they are augmenting President Mnangagwa’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
Caritas Zimbabwe national coordinator Mr Marius Zibgwi said their founding principles were hinged on community services and social development.
He said they were ready to offer support especially to the vulnerable, in cases of disasters.
Mr Zibgwi said their approach was based on Catholic service teachings, which include human dignity, decentralisation, and assisting the needy, among others.
Online Reporter