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Rozaria Memorial Trust

About Us

Our Founders
Co-Founded in 2007 by Dr. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda and Ms. Elizabeth Tawonezvi-Dizha, Rozaria Memorial Trust (RMT) was established to honour the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Mbuya Rozaria.
Who was Mbuya Rozaria?
Mbuya Rozaria was a woman whose unwavering resilience and dedication to caring for her community continue to inspire generations. She exemplified compassion, selflessness, and a deep commitment to empowering women and children, especially in rural areas
Her Journey
Mbuya Rozaria’s journey was marked by extraordinary challenges—married as a young girl, raising her children through the turbulence of war and hardship, and serving as a widow for 28 years. Despite personal adversities, including caring for children with mental health issues and living with HIV, she prioritized community development and education not just for her own children but for every child she could reach. 
Her Philosophy
Her guiding philosophy, “Life comes from the soil,” reflected her deep belief in sustainable livelihoods through farming, and her efforts helped break the cycle of poverty for many in her community. Her home, especially her small kitchen, became a sanctuary for girls and women looking for safety, advice, or simply a place to breathe. From that kitchen grew the values that RMT is built upon today
Our Mission and Vision

Building on her legacy, RMT has grown into a leading organization dedicated to empowering women and children in marginalized communities across Zimbabwe

Our Mission

To support initiatives that foster gender equity, education, health and entrepreneurship for women and children in marginalized communities.

Our Vision

A world in which women and children live in dignity, accessing equal opportunities and enjoying their rights

Our Values and Principles

Ubuntu

Recognizing shared humanity and collective responsibility

Gender & Disability Inclusion

Ensuring accessibility and participation for all

Innovativeness

Employing creative solutions to complex challenges.

Collaboration

Building partnerships to amplify impact.

Integrity

Upholding transparency and accountability

Commitment

Dedicated to sustainable and transformative change.

Community & Indigenous Knowledge

Valuing local cultures and practices.

Every contribution helps provide safety, justice, and hope for women and girls facing violence and abuse. Support our work to provide shelter, legal aid, and survivor-centred services for those who need it most. Every contribution helps provide safety, justice, and hope for women and girls facing violence and abuse. Support our work to provide shelter, legal aid, and survivor-centred services for those who need it most.

Our Legacy of Impact

Establishment of RMT Education and Counselling Centre

A comprehensive facility offering services on gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), leadership development, and entrepreneurship. It features an Emergency Shelter for survivors, a Nhanga Safe Space and a Knowledge Hub with a Community Library, a Digital Hub, and Training Facilities.

Engagement with Traditional Leaders

RMT collaborated with chiefs in Murewa, Shamva and Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe (UMP) Districts and community leaders to develop commitments aimed at ending child marriages, directly impacting over 100,000 households.

Cultural Reclamation and Movement Building

Through the Nhanga Safe Spaces model, RMT has reached over 10,000 girls and young women, fostering community-led change and advocacy, with the model now adopted by various partners regionally

Support for Gender-Based Violence Survivors

Between the year 2019 and the year 2025, the Emergency Shelter has provided a safe haven for over 600 survivors, complemented by a referral network support of more than 1,500 individuals.

HIV Response and Support

RMT pioneered community-based HIV support programs in Murewa, benefiting over 2,500 People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and their families, promoting treatment adherence, access to education and reducing stigma

Skills Development and Economic Empowerment

Through the RMT Education and Counselling Centre (RMT ECC), the organization piloted vocational training programs in areas such as weaving, soap-making, and agribusiness for young women and girls at risk, enabling then to establish their own businesses and earn livelihoods.

COVID-19 Response

During the pandemic, RMT actively supported health awareness campaigns, distributed essential supplies including more than 5,000 litres of liquid soap in local clinics and hospitals and schools, and played a key role in local health initiatives.

Policy Advocacy

RMT has contributed to regional and global efforts in advancing gender equality and in child protection, supporting the adoption of laws on ending violence against women and girls including the Africa Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU CEVAWG) through partnerships with the Gender Is My Agenda Campaign (GIMAC), the A Union Gender Directorate, SADC Parliamentary Forum, and other regional bodies.

Organizational Growth

Committed to transparency and accountability, RMT has strengthened its governance structures, establishing specialized committees and policies to ensure sustainable and impactful programming.

How you can contribute

Your role in our work

01

Support the Cause

Choose to support programs that protect women and girls from violence and harmful practices.

02

Make a Contribution

Your support helps provide shelter, legal aid, counselling, and emergency response services.

03

Join the Movement

Become part of a community working to end gender-based violence and child marriage.

04

Create Impact

Together we empower survivors, strengthen communities, and build a safer future.