Overview
Christian Care has been actively working in Zimbabwe for over 40 years (since 1967) and has evolved over the years from a service delivery organisation to one working across a broad spectrum of integrated development activities, and currently one that has taken on board key concerns of HIV and AIDS, environment, human rights and gender.
Historical Background
Christian care was formed in 1967 by the Zimbabwe Council of Churches and registered as a Welfare Organisation (WO79/67). It is an arm of the Zimbabwe Churches tasked to improve the quality of life of the disadvantaged, including refugees. As an arm of the church Christian Care is called to witness the presence of God among the poor and disadvantaged who are burdened by oppression, poverty, ill health, lack of freedom or knowledge to make sustainable life-supporting choices.
Christian Care At Work 1967-1980
Before Zimbabwe’s political independence in 1980, Christian Care was concerned with relief of families of political prisoners and the prisoners themselves (e.g. in providing rentals, clothing, schools fees and a wide range of courses). This programme reached out to about 5000 people. Other relief programme included drought relief, special emergencies, an essential services for people displaced by escalating war which peaked around 1975 with the establishment of protected/consolidated villages.
At Independence 1980
Christian Care was assigned by Heads of Denominations in Zimbabwe at the request of UNHCR to participate in the repatriation of thousands of Zimbabwean refuges, and their subsequent resettlement.
Post War- 1981- Present
Shortly after independence, Christian Care was heavily involved in post war reconstruction. In 1985 the organisation broadened its mandate to include rural development. Projects to date have included disaster relief programmes, dam construction and irrigation development, integrated rural development programmes, water and sanitation, livestock restocking, HIV and AIDS, gender, advocacy and income generating projects.
