Vana Trust founder embarks on WALK ACROSS ZIMBABWE as part of the charity's ambitious 12th Anniversary plans

PRESS RELEASE

Vana Trust founder embarks on WALK ACROSS ZIMBABWE as part of the charity's ambitious 12th Anniversary plans

Nyasha Gwatidzo, Vana Trust's founder, together with Liam Garcia of the Long Well Walk and Thandi Haruperi - friend and co-walker of the River Thames fundraiser in 2014, are taking on an exciting challenge to acknowledge the charity's 12th anniversary. Since it was created, Vana Trust has championed and promoted empowerment through education, thus enriching the lives of vulnerable children and young adults in the UK and in Zimbabwe.

This time round the intrepid team is walking a staggering 310 miles across Zimbabwe, from CHIRUNDU BRIDGE in Zambezi River, passing through Harare and finishing at St.David's School in CHIHOTA. They hope to be joined by the Trust's supporters all over the world and do encourage others to help them raise £20,000 in any way possible.

Let us remind you what we do. VANA TRUST is a charity which raised funds for:

1. Schoolchildren in Zimbabwe (with prospects to expand to other regions of Subsaharan Africa) who are orphaned or whose parents, affected by HIV/AIDS, are not able to pay for their education.

2. VANA TRUST ORGANIC FARM. A 7 acre farm in Buckinghamshire - UK, which was created to provide a safe educational setting for young adults affected by emotional and learning difficulties.

Vana Trust has made a significant difference to the hundreds of individuals whose lives has touched. Hear from two of them:

“Vana Trust Farm is a fun and friendly environment which has given me confidence, skills and experiences which I would never have had the chance to learn or partake in otherwise. You leave with a sense of achievement, new friends and a smile."

Jack

“Thank you very much for everything you are doing in my life...the laptop, the shoes, school fees and medical aid. Placement results are out...I managed to come up with 2 distinctions and a 2.1"

Vimbai

The funds raised on this walk will, therefore…

• Provide St. David's school, in Zimbabwe, with a much needed science lab, as well as repair a borehole for both schoolchildren and villagers to have access to clean water.
• Allow us to build a field shelter for the animals at Vana Trust Organic Farm in England.

Nyasha says,

“I am very excited to be marking Vana Trust's 12th anniversary in this challenging manner. I have surrendered to the encouragement of many organizations, family, friends and supporters. Please sponsor me in whichever way you can, as, with your support, we can make a difference to people's lives across the world."

Please CONTACT US if you would like to join us in all or part of the walk and GET SPONSORED yourself! Or perhaps you would like to make a DONATION on the Walk Across Zimbabwe Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/Nyasha-Gwatidzo1/

Organizations can support us by sponsoring the event and/or donating supplies and farming or other equipment. We also welcome the support of Restaurants and Hotels who can sponsor us by donating meals and accommodation at the team's scheduled stops. So… Go ahead! Sponsor us and TAKE A CHANCE ON MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE!

A word from Cherie Blair. Vana Trust is…

“contributing to the community in both the UK and Africa. In Africa, Vana Trust sponsors the education and overall well being of children affected by HIV/AIDS and poverty in Zimbabwe. It is also involved in support for women through training and micro-financing."

There is so much more we can do, and your support will ensure that Vana Trust can change the lives of even more individuals and their carers.

To find out how you can help, please contact our lovely administrator

Katy Farnell on 07972153778 or katy@vanatrust.org.uk

For more information consult our website www.vanatrust.org.uk

or the event page at https://www.justgiving.com/Nyasha-Gwatidzo1/

http://walkthethameswithme.wordpress.com (TBA…)

On Twitter @vanatrust

On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/VanaTrust

On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/vana-trust

VANA TRUST is a registered charity 1105276