Current Resource Mobilization Initiatives

Introduction

Zimbabwe Red Cross Society is making positive progress in its quest to mobilize resource locally. To this end a number of income generating projects have been planned and are under implementation.

Projects

Some of the projects that are being implemented with in the NS include the following:

• Sewing Merchandise shop located in Harare. The factory produces corporate uniforms, nurse’s uniforms, HBC uniforms, volunteers’ uniforms. Curtains, workshops bags, bedding, and various promotional materials both for corporate and individuals orders
• Retail shops located at major hospitals throughout the country. These shops sell refreshments and groceries and serve the hospital population and surrounding areas.
• Mini Market in Gwanda, Matabeleland South Province. This is one such unique shop which has been built in a residential area in Gwanda and serves the population of that area. It is a supermarket that supplies all merchandise needed in the local area.
• Bakeries in Gweru, Midlands Province and Muzarabani in Mashonaland Central Province. The bakeries produce bread and other confectionery and supply the local market.
• Small Micro Irrigation Projects. These are in Chinhoyi and Banket in Mashonaland West Province, Bindura in Mashonaland Central Province and Mwenezi, Masvingo Province. The projects have irrigation water and crops grown are potatoes, maize and vegetables.
• Commercial First Aid Training. The courses are conducted by trained Red Cross Trainers and trainings take place throughout the country with The National Training Centre in Harare being the centre for all examinations and quality control.
• Nursing Services. These services are offered at national level and in all the country’s 10 provinces. Clients are charged fees for services of deployed nurse aides.
• Letting of office space. Office space that is not currently being utilized is being let out at commercial rates in a bid to raise revenue for the NS.
• Poultry and Piggery Projects. The NS has embarked on poultry projects and piggery projects in Mashonaland West and Midlands Provinces.
• Membership drive. The NS is gearing up recruitment of members both youth and adults. The NS places a lot of value in volunteers as they are core to its operations.

Challenges in Income Generation

The NS is faced with uphill task on reviving its income generating projects following the effects of the country’s economic crisis. The major challenges are as follows:

• Lack of seed money to recapitalize existing projects and embark on new ones.
• Lack of equipment for commercial First Aid Training.
• Lack of equipment for micro irrigation projects. There is need for irrigation pipes, sprinklers, submersible pumps for the boreholes.