About Us
MeDRA is a Christian-based Local NGO owned by the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe. MeDRA uses a spiritual approach to sustainable development. MeDRA is result oriented and believes in a theory of change that seeks to empower and transform our target communities. MeDRA was registered as a private voluntary organization (PVO) in August 2009 although activities started in 2004. The organization has its mandate to undertake Humanitarian and Developmental programmes that aim at meaningfully contributing towards positive socio-economic change in Zimbabwe, beginning with marginalized communities and most vulnerable populations.
The organization has provided long term needed assistance in the areas of agriculture, water, sanitation and hygiene promotion, environment management and disaster risk management and emergency humanitarian aid. MeDRA has worked with various communities in peace building initiatives aimed at promoting tolerance and peaceful coexistence through conflict resolution, management and prevention mechanisms.
Vision
A society in which all enjoy abundant life and God given dignity. (John 10:10)
Mission
To empower communities to improve livelihoods and experience justice through sustainable interventions which bear witness to God’s love
Values
We seek to be a board and staff with integrity so that we walk up rightly and be secure and not to invite punishment from the Lord. (Prov 10:9, Matt 5:37)
As MeDRA we are driven and motivated by compassion for the underprivileged and the marginalized members of the community through the relieving their suffering, empowering communities and giving a voice to the voiceless (Matt 9-36)
We believe that all people are created equal in the image of God (Gen 1: 27). We are committed to active participation of vulnerable people including elderly, disabled, poor families and other marginalized groups. We seek to empower people to improve their lives and the larger community. We shall not subscribe to ideologies that seek to lead to poverty, exclusion and dependence. We believe in full and inclusive participation by all and that every person man, woman or community has the right and the responsibility to contribute their talents, skills and resources to the work we do. We therefore consider gender sensitive and participatory approaches to development as critical instruments of our mission.
We are committed to being transparent and accountable to our stakeholders for the resources we receive and the usage of those resources. We uphold accountability and transparency in service to humanity. We shall remain open, frank and honest with all our stakeholders in all our communications, transactions and operations. (Luke 16:10; Matt 25:23)
We uphold professionalism to ensure quality, effective and efficient service delivery to our local communities. We shall exercise professionalism in conducting our business. We shall aspire for and value excellence in all we do and the services we provide, and we commit to the principle of continuous improvement. We are committed to the efficiency and effectiveness in our conduct. (Lev 19:11)
We are committed to upholding human dignity in order to ensure that all our programs are people centered with empowerment at their heart. We are committed to enabling communities escape from extreme poverty by being dignified agents of their own destiny. We shall be in the forefront in resolving conflict in order to create or bring peace and reconciliations in the communities we serve.
As MeDRA we are committed in partnership with stakeholders, funding partners and other NGOs. We recognize that we do not have all required resources and necessary skills and expertise to achieve our vision but through partnerships we bring a positive change to people’s lives. (1 Cor 3:9)
- TARGET GROUPS
MeDRA Targets the vulnerable and marginalised women, girls, boys and men, people living with disabilities, Pregnant and lactating women, elderly, internally displaced populations and priority is given to those in hard to reach areas.
- AREAS OF OPERATION
MeDRA is currently operating in the following districts: Mutoko, Bikita, Buhera, Chipinge, Chimanimani, Gokwe South and Muzarabani Districts.
- CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES
- Gender
- HIV/AIDS
- Child protection
- Disability inclusion
OBJECTIVES
The organisation seeks to:
Empower communities
Programmes are aimed at strengthening and increasing the opportunities, self-worth, choices, resources, autonomy and power of communities.
Build local economies
Programmes should build local economies through fair and equitable practices that include skills building, education and vocational training, income generation, financial planning, savings, credit markets linkages accompanied with training and support, jobs that pay fair wages and treat workers equally and justly.
Care for the environment
Programmes should promote people's access, participation and rights in the care of their water, soil, air, seeds, forests, fisheries, livestock and land. Programmes may work to catalyze and sustain local action for sustainable agriculture, food and water security/sovereignty, climate change adaptation and mitigation, natural resource management, environmental health, biodiversity and conservation.
Monitor and share best practice
MeDRA effectively plans, implements, evaluates and documents its community-driven programmes and maintains accountability to the communities it supports. The Agency is committed to mutual learning, linking and building solidarity through a participatory process.
Improve health
WHO defines health as state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. A healthy community is better able to participate in programmes as well as enjoy the fruits of their efforts in projects. MeDRA seeks to work with communities to improve their health through targeted interventions such as WASH, nutrition, HIV prevention and generals awareness to improve the health seeking behavior of both and men and women and their families for early for early diagnosis and treatment of diseases. If people are going to change their health behavior, what changes in the environment need to occur to make it happen? MeDRA will work in partnership with others service providers to ensure this change.
Meet Our Team
Lillian Chikara
National Gender Officer
lchikara@medrazim.org.zw
Dr Morgan Jeranyama
Business Development Officer
mjeranyama@medrazim.org.zw
Tariro-Washaya-Mpofu
Programs Manager
twashaya@medrazim.org.zw
Simbarashe Goneso
Communications, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer
sgoneso@medrazim.org.zw
Michelle Chambara
Finance Officer
mchambara@medrazim.org.zw
