"Together we are stronger "

Community Action Trust believes that in order to make the world a better place for everyone, we all need to play our part in whatever way we can. Maybe that’s through volunteering our time or skills for a cause we care about, or perhaps it’s something as simple as being kind to strangers we meet in your day-to-day life

You might be thinking, why donate to charity?

While we like to believe we can make a difference on our own, sometimes we can do more together. If you have any concerns about how money you donate is used, you can always look at our charity’s annual report and accounts on the Charities commission page under whom we report to get reassurance that donations made to the charity are actually helping our beneficiaries.

Why do people give to charity?

There’s plenty of reasons why to give to charity, and for many people it’s a very personal choice - but here are just a few reasons why you may want to consider making a donation.

1. It’s a reason close to our hearts

There are so many charities out there doing incredible work to help those who need it. And we all have different causes that strike a chord with us. Maybe what a charity does means more to you due to your own personal experiences, or perhaps you just feel very strongly about those they are helping.

For us?

Why charity is important for everyone

To make the world a better place for everyone, we all need to play our part in whatever way we can.

Maybe that’s through volunteering our time or skills for a cause we care about, or perhaps it’s something as simple as being kind to strangers we meet in your day-to-day life.

You might be thinking, why donate to charity?

While we like to believe we can make a difference on our own, sometimes we can do more together. Our motto is "Together we are stronger ". The way charities are structured let's them use money raised to directly help people who need it on a larger scale than we can as individuals. And if you have any concerns about how money you donate is used, you can always look at our annual report to get reassurance that donations made to the charity are actually helping our beneficiaries.

Why do people give to charity?

There’s plenty of reasons why to give to charity, and for many people it’s a very personal choice - but here are just a few reasons why you may want to consider making a donation.

1. It’s a reason close to our hearts

There are so many charities out there doing incredible work to help those who need it.

And we all have different causes that strike a chord with us.

Maybe what a charity does means more to you due to your own personal experiences, or perhaps you just feel very strongly about those they are helping.

For us?

The plight of the elderly is one of the less publicised outcomes of Zimbabwe's social, economic and political collapse. Retirement in Zimbabwe has none of the normal safety nets. There is no state pension, and private pensions have devalued to nothing, often twice over.

An even bigger challenge is the decline of the informal systems of social protection in the form of cash and support from both extended family and community sources. An additional challenge is the change in family structures and shrinking social support networks. Traditionally, the informal social protection has been effective for generations in providing a major share of support to the elderly parents and the most vulnerable. Care homes are limited and only cater for a fraction of this needy section of the population and the majority of them are underfunded and cannot even pay the salaries of their staff. The decline is evident in institutions for the elderly, which are mainly funded by independent donors or well-wishers, but whose contributions are small and a token considering what is required on the ground.

For those elderly not living in these centres/ institutions , life can be even harder Many of them are either living by themselves or are looked after by relatives, (who are also barely surviving) and their plight is more disturbing in cases where, because of the AIDS pandemic that is still a real factor , they are forced to provide care for children left behind by their parents.

The aging population in Africa faces a different set of challenges. Aging is highly linked with long-term physical and mental disability and a number of long-term chronic conditions and will likely increase personal care needs. Much of Africa faces weak health care systems to adequately address these emerging health problems among the elderly. Zimbabwe was once a breadbasket of Africa and now stands as one of the poorest countries in the world. We remain positive and hope that soon there will be a change in order to impact a culture, in order to reach the vulnerable. The elderly in Zimbabwe are languishing in poverty mainly due to the absence of comprehensive policies focusing specifically on the elderly. We strive to make a difference in whatever small way we can.

2. You can help make a difference

When you choose to give to a charity - no matter how big or small that charity is - you’re helping to make a real difference. When you donate to a cause you care about, you’ll know that your decision to donate is making a tangible impact on the lives of those the charity helps.

3. Every donation makes an impact

No matter how much you can afford to give, as a one-off donation, through regular giving, or by fundraising for charity, your donation matters. Every donation received adds up and helps charities get to work and make a positive difference.

4. Giving benefits society’s neediest and most vulnerable

Often the people in society who are in need are the most overlooked. Society and governments aren’t set up to protect everyone who needs it. That’s why charities are here to fill the gaps and provide dedicated resources to help the most vulnerable.

5. Brings us closer to the society we want to live in

In an ideal world charities wouldn’t need to exist. Imagine a society where no one went hungry or experienced abuse, no animals were harmed, all diseases could be treated or cured, and everyone was treated kindly and fairly with the same opportunities in life.

That is what we’re all collectively working towards. And real change takes work, but we can’t do it alone. Your donations help charities work towards creating a society that benefits everyone, leaving no one behind.

6. Gives us a sense of belonging

Life can be difficult sometimes, but remembering we’re all in this together can help us feel more connected to those around us. And by all playing our part to lend a helping hand to those in need, we can feel more like an active part of our society. Our community means so much to us, and seeing them all come together, whether it’s through volunteering, fundraising, or giving - we’re all united in our common goal of protecting children.

7. Set an example for others

We know we all have it in us to make a difference, and there’s power in numbers. Why stop at just knowing you’re making an impact? Your actions can also inspire others to pay attention to important issues and offer their support too. You can chat to your friends, family, colleagues, neighbours to let them know you’re donating to charity be it financially or with your time and why the cause matters to you. This can show them why there’s an urgent need for them to do the same and motivate them to get involved too.

8. Giving is in our nature

As a people, generosity is in our genes. From the earliest times, society could only function by us working together.

Selfless acts let us look after those who need it the most, and the urge to help those around us is always inside us.

9. It makes us feel good

Sometimes it’s okay to be a little bit selfish, but one of the best parts of giving or fundraising? It can make you feel pretty good about yourself.There’s nothing quite like doing something for someone else to put a smile on your face. Even when we’re not feeling our best, if we put some kindness back into the world it can help us feel a little better in ourselves and about the world around us.

10. Enjoy an extra bit of tax relief

An added bonus of charitable donations is they’re tax free for individuals when you donate through Gift Aid, directly through your payroll or pension, or through Payroll Giving. This means, depending on how you give, you can claim back the tax on any donations you make or you won’t pay income tax on them in the first place - helping you save through giving.

Please donate today... help us help them.