More than 40 years of experience working hand-in-hand, and shoulder-to-shoulder with the Shona artists, their families and communities in Zimbabwe has affirmed that privation and need can be tackled and eased when approached with an active, participatory partnership with those affected individuals, families and communities.

Our goal in the beginning, as it is today, was to make available assistance that could empower and inspire those in need to develop their own formulae for success. Helping people to help themselves is the only proven long term solution to ongoing need. Our enterprise help, whether in the form of financial investment, physical training, project supplies, building materials, educational supplies (or varying combinations of all these and more) has resulted in the solid accomplishments of those who have learned to do for themselves.

Whether for a small scale farmer, a widow starting a chicken raising project, or for enterprising villagers with good ideas for creating a business (to help not just themselves, but also their communities), we are proud to state that our (previously) private programs have had quite an impact on the families of Zimbabwean artists. A little generosity, whether through care or donations, goes a long, long way, and can have a huge impact on people's lives! It doesn't take very much to do tremendous good for those who want and need not a handout, but a helping hand so they themselves may have the pride that comes with success, no matter what form those achievements may take!

We have learned from observation over the years that outright, non-consequential, non-supervised charitable giving serves neither the community for which it is intended, nor the donor(s). It does, unfortunately, provide opportunities for the less than appropriate handling of monies and supplies and, might we say, a certain vagueness about actual results and costs. To avoid such problems, and to actualize higher results, donations to the Shona Artist Fund will be going only to very specific projects and needs.

This fund seeks to fill in a missing element for these hardworking and eminently deserving individuals, while providing culturally sensitive and appropriate coaching, training and counsel so they may go on to yet greater accomplishments in the future.

Contact Us to find out more about how you can help make a difference in Zimbabwe.