There are 6,000 adult seniors in Zimbabwe that are dependent on government pensions to survive.  Their needs are vast, their means limited and their position is desperate and worsens daily.  The pensions are devalued due to the increasing rate of inflation; the elderly just have no way of keeping pace.  The community care homes provide what aid they can, yet they themselves have exhausted all financial resources.  Zimbabwean aid organization ZANE assists the elderly population in Zimbabwe by raising funds and awareness through their organization. 

Currently, ZANE is seeking assistance to provide a home, a sanctuary for Eric and Anna.  This couple bought an undeveloped ranch in south Zimbabwe in 1980.  The family developed the farm with cattle, a safari operation and extensive fruit orchards.  In 2002, a group of 50 invaders came to the ranch, cut the telephone lines and held the family captive for six weeks.  The ranch was looted and vandalized.  The family contacted the Farmer’s Union Chairman who reported the matter to the police.  When the police arrived, the family was accused of making a false report and left without providing any assistance.  Threats were then made on Eric and Anna’s lives, so the decision was made to flee the ranch.  They lost everything.

Today, the couple lives in a retirement complex and depends on financial assistance to pay the bills.  They still suffer the trauma of what happened to them and their ranch.  The fees for the retirement complex are $265 per month; this covers room and board for both Eric and Anna for one month.  This is an on-going project, meaning as many months of rent will be provided to Eric and Anna as funding allows.