Basilwizi Trust

Basilwizi Trust is a community development organisation, which was founded in 2002 by a group of visionary people of the Zambezi Valley. Its formation was a driven by their determination to demand and restore the dignity taken away from them when they were displaced from the Zambezi River banks to pave way for the construction of the Kariba Dam. This displacement and dispossession of the communities left them poor and vulnerable to food insecurity and many other social and economic ills. Over the past 20 years, Basilwizi has prioritized programs that are responsive to the concerns, worries, fears, aspirations, and hopes of the Zambezi valley communities as part of its humble contribution towards the recognition of their language, culture and identity as a people in line with the Constitution of Zimbabwe, UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, and the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights. The purpose of the organization is to provide “Sustainable people-driven socio-economic development in the Zambezi valley” through building the capacities of the Tonga and Korekore communities (men, women, young and old, able and disabled) to realize improved and sustainable well-being and free themselves from poverty. Primary activities are: Education and culture promotion, sustainable livelihoods development, rights, governance and social justice and health, nutrition, water and sanitation as well as hygiene.