Running on Hope” Zororai Old People’s Home Leans on Kindness to Care for the Abandoned Elderly

By Evans Jona

In the OTS section of Sakubva, one of Zimbabwe’s oldest and most densely populated suburbs, the quiet Zororai Old People’s Home continues to serve as a final refuge for elderly people who have been abandoned, neglected, or abused.

But behind the compassionate work lies a stark reality: Zororai Old People’s Home is operating without a sole funder, surviving solely on donations from the community and well-wishers.

“We are a private voluntary organisation and we do not have any consistent income,” said Nyasha Mukosera, the home’s Assistant Administrator. “Everything we do depends on donations.”

Zororai currently houses 11 elderly residents — six men and five women — despite having a full capacity of 24. The institution caters for all basic needs, including food, clothing, bedding, and medical attention. But with rising costs and deepening economic challenges, each day comes with growing strain.

Food remains the most immediate and pressing challenge. “We have to provide meals daily, and without donations, that’s difficult to maintain,” Mukosera said.

Some of the residents are bedridden, requiring adult diapers, specialized care, and protective clothing for nurse aides. Cleaning supplies like gloves, mops, and detergents are often in short supply. Staff members are forced to stretch minimal resources while maintaining hygiene and dignity for those in their care.

Furniture is another glaring need. While Zororai has received occasional donations — including a bed and a few wardrobes — there’s a critical shortage of tables and chairs in the dining hall. “Even when we host events or gatherings, we don’t have enough chairs to accommodate visitors or all the residents at once,” said Mukosera.

The lack of sustainable income is a long-term threat to Zororai’s survival. Currently, the home relies on two small projects: a garden project funded by Farmtech and another upcoming initiative expected to be supported by Redan. But these projects offer slow returns. Mukosera stressed the need for faster-turnover initiatives like broiler chicken farming, which can begin generating income in as little as six weeks.

“Right now, if we had a broiler project, we could start buying our own food and supplies,” she said. “It’s not that we always lack donations, but sustainability is the goal. We want to stand on our own feet.”

As Zimbabwe enters the peak of winter, the cold has added urgency to the home’s needs. While a recent donation provided each resident with a single blanket, Mukosera says it is not enough. “We need more blankets, socks, warm clothing — even boots. These are frail people. The cold affects them deeply.”

She appealed to the public to understand how elderly people are admitted to Zororai. Many assume the home actively searches for people to take in, but in reality, the vetting and referral process must go through the Department of Social Welfare.

“As a home, we don’t have the capacity or resources to vet people,” she said. “It’s the duty of the community — of you and me — to identify vulnerable elderly people and report them to Social Welfare, who then brings them to us.”

She listed common cases that qualify for admission, including rejection by family, neglect, and abuse. Many of the elderly at Zororai have been completely cut off from their families, left with no one to care for them.

Despite the hurdles, Mkosera remains hopeful that the public will hear Zororai’s story and step forward, whether with material support, income project ideas, or by simply reaching out to vulnerable elderly people who need shelter.

“We’re doing our best, but we cannot do it alone,” she said. “Sometimes all we have left to lean on is the kindness of others.”
For those looking to help, Zororai Old People’s Home remains open to donations of food, warm clothing, bedding, medical supplies, or assistance in launching sustainable income-generating projects.