About Us

About Lakusasa-Ramangwana Trust

About Lakusasa-Ramangwana Trust

LaRa Trust a charitable nonprofit making organization registered by law in November 2020. The Trust is driven by passion for the rights of vulnerable women and children1 in society in service to above self. It is believed that persons living under conditions of lack are people who deserve to be given access to healthcare, education, equal opportunities to jobs and businesses. We strongly feel that our communities need to rid themselves of stigma against vulnerable groups and to also be able to empathize and support such people.

What we can do

LaRa seeks to facilitate knowledge acquisition, support and empowerment for disadvantaged women and children. The Trust seeks to provide its beneficiaries with technical assistance and management support to enable long term sustainable livelihoods. We seek to find and walk with those who are not able to finance their dreams and needs for livelihoods through Qhubeka Sana division. LaRa seeks to empower and capacitate vulnerable groups to rid of shackles of poverty through capacity building initiatives of sorts. The Trust also endeavors to support women and children’s wellness and medical requirements pre- or post-operative care through a division of LaRa namely Happy Hearts Movement (HHM). HHM realizes that not many people can afford surgical costs and medication to ensure that life can be lived without constant pain and fear ofsudden death. HHM endeavors to be a beacon of good practice within civil society with respect to our approaches, programs and interventions at community level.

How we can do it

In-order to accomplish our mission and vision, we use a number of intervention strategies that include research, advocacy, education and training, action-based implementation as well as publication. Our strategic area of focus, programs and interventions will be premised on:

  1. Carrying out needs’ assessment of our target audience and community needs and identifying the gaps for possible interventions.
  2. The needs assessments aim at achieving an intricate balance between the needs of the people with the capacities of the organization and other stakeholders involved.
  3. Increasing LaRa’s visibility and building its brand and communicating the work of the organization by utilizing innovative communication systems.

Our Geographic Boundaries

LaRa seeks to be of significant impact and influence in the whole of Zimbabwe and beyond. Our particular interest shall be the rural communities in the country as well as high density areas of the cities and towns in Zimbabwe. As we grow, LaRa seeks to make a lasting impact internationally through strategic partnerships with like-minded organisations as it feels that love knows no bounds.

Our stakeholders

LaRa’s primary beneficiaries are vulnerable women as well as children. The Trust also works closely with key stakeholders who make their work do-able:

  1.  Relevant government ministries and departments
  2. Local authorities
  3. Community leaders
  4. Like minded civil society
  5. Religious sects
  6. Media
  7. Corporates

Vision

Towards unparalleled empowerment of vulnerable women and children into citizens that are fully able to manifest their talents and abilities in Zimbabwe and beyond.

Mission

To provide an innovative platform to vulnerable women and children in order for them to gain access to targeted education and leadership development through  active community projects that enhance their livelihoods.

Values (K.I.T.E)

Knowledge

  • Learning organization, agile, distinction, modernization, resourcefulness, originality, quality, creativity

Integrity

  • Honesty, professionalism, ethical, truthfulness, uprightness, reliability, respect

Teamwork

  • Collaboration, cooperation, solidarity, empathy, communication, synergy, partnerships

Empowerment

  • Support, acknowledgement, recognition, celebration, diversity

Goals

  • Empowerment of vulnerable women and children
  • Wellness and health
  • Gender mainstreaming
  • Sustainable livelihood

Objectives

  • To empower women and children
  • To meet targeted educational needs of vulnerable women and children.
  • To ensure access to healthcare and wellness
  • To infuse confidence and skills into the targeted population

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

  • Life experience of rags to comfort
  • Committed and passionate Trustees
  • Corporate experience
  • Passion
  • Service above self
  • Strong networks
  • ICT background
  • People management expertise

Opportunities

  • Other institutions working on similar causes
  • Partnership with like-minded organisations
  • Diaspora community
  • Technological advances

Weaknesses

  • New Organisation
  • Funding Constraints

Threats

  • Dynamic socio economic environment
  • Increased competition for donor funding for similar causes
  • Dependency Syndrome

Strategic Focus

  1. Capacity building and skills development
  2. Health and wellness programs
  3. Targeted educational resources development
  4. Organizational growth
  5. Funding and resources
STRATEGY/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE ACTION STEPS EXPECTED OUTCOMES
# 1 CAPACITY BUILDING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
To ensure that traditional crafts, art and skills are resuscitated and promoted Conducting crafts, art and skills training Training conducted quarterly
Conducting Finance for non[1]Finance tutorial Tutorials conducted quarterly
Creating platforms for marketing and sales Members able to sell their wares and skills (ongoing)
Create platforms for knowledge sharing and storytelling. LaRa Awards to recognize and celebrate outstanding performance.
# 2 HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS
To improve the wellbeing of people living with non-communicable diseases Mainstream health and wellness program To raise awareness on non-communicable diseases and facilitate adoption of preventive and mitigation strategies (ongoing)
Engage affected persons on positive living To promote self love and care
Enlighten and empower on nutrition and sport To promote positive lifestyles and mindsets and prevent new cases arising.
Coach on life skills that promote wellbeing To promote assertiveness and cascading of knowledge and life skills.
#3 EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT
Provide financial assistance to vulnerable school children and women Establishing linkages between partners (funders) and beneficiary schools Linkages made Number of vulnerable children and women supported
Provide financial assistance to vulnerable school children and women Establishing linkages between partners (funders) and beneficiary schools Linkages made Number of vulnerable children and women supported
To scale up scholarship programs Scholarship recipients to increase by x% annually
To form a network of beneficiaries and funding partners with the aim of seeking both financial and material resources needed to enhance the infrastructure development for targeted education systems for vulnerable women and children. Establishment of infrastructure needs of target schools Needs assessments
#4 ORGANISATIONAL GROWTH
Publicise LaRa through various media platforms Set up a website and ensure social media presence for the organization Platforms set up and refreshed according to marketing strategies
Effective engagement of the general populace through the various media platforms available Posts, documents and other media related articles developed and feedback established.
Utilization of local print, audio, visual media platforms to raise profile of the organization Presence made and content availed.
To establish and maintain strategic partnerships for action Establishing and updating of a directory of beneficiaries, partners and government authorities. Directory established Partners increased by x% per annum
Conducting regular feedback meetings with partners to synchronize activities for maximized impact Quarterly stakeholder engagements done
Forming joint initiatives with partners over common strategic areas At least x MOUs signed per annum
To retain and develop staff capacity Conducting training needs assessment At least x training days per person per annum
Attend relevant external regional and global staff training, (resources permitting) Send at least x members for regional and global trainings
Conducting staff performance assessment Half yearly assessments
Develop organizational policies and procedures Development of organizational policies and procedures as well as standard operating procedures Manual(s) developed and reviewed annually
#5 FUNDING AND RESOURCES
To achieve financial sustainability for effective operations To establish and increase donor support Financial viability to support all LaRa projects and administration costs Social marketing skills acquired by beneficiaries
To establish and build on corporate support
Develop in-house fund-raising initiatives
To create Private Public Community Partnerships that will enable long term funding avenues and sustainability of the organization
To efficiently and effectively manage the funds of the organization

Sibusisiwe Chibaya

Sibusisiwe Chibaya is a 44-year-old mother of two. She is a Chartered Human Resources Practitioner-General with 18 years of experience in the Human Capital field with 9 of these being in an executive role. In terms of her corporate life, Sibusisiwe is currently the Senior Manager- Human Resources in the single largest energy generator in Zimbabwe. Busi, as she is affectionately known, is a holder of the following qualifications, skills, interests and portfolios:

1. Masters in International Relations-UZ with Merit.
2. Master of Laws-UZ with Merit
3. Masters in Business Administration- UZ.
4. BSc Honors in Sociology-UZ.
5. LLB Honors-UNISA with a Distinction and has been admitted as a Legal Practitioner by the High Court of Zimbabwe.
6. Post Graduate Diploma in Law: Arbitration and Conciliation-UZ.
7. Diploma in People Management-IPMZ with a Credit.
8. Diploma in Systematic Counselling and Therapy-Connect. B+
9. Certificate in Motivation-IPMZ.
10. Registered as a Counselor with the Zimbabwe Allied Health Council.
11. Certificate in Counselling-Connect.
12. Certificate of Proficiency-ZAPF
13. Certified Talent Practitioner-All-Aboard Africa and ABMI.
14. Certified 3D Mentoring and Coaching certificate- All-Aboard Africa and ABMI.
15. Success Motivation International certified in Dynamics of Successful Management.
16. Former Toastmaster-Past President of Waterfront Club July 2018- July 2019 and was awarded Competent Communicator and Competent Leader awards from Toastmasters International.
17. Former Rotarian-Immediate Past Projects Director at Rotary Club of Avondale and Club Trainer.
18. Fellow-IPMZ
19. Governor for St. Peters Kubatana.
20. Board member- Transmedia Corporation (Private) Limited
21. Board member -ZESA Pension Fund
22. Free -lance Radio & TV Personality-Capitalk FM & Zimbabwe TV Network
23. Enjoys Events management; Conversations on LinkedIn; Gardening and Poultry rearing.
24. When all is said and done, Busi feels alive being in the community giving service above self. Philanthropy is her calling.

Nyasha Patience Mandeya

Nyasha Patience Mandeya is a proud Pan Africanist, enthusiastic economist and development practitioner. She holds a BSc Economics Honours degree, a Master of Economics Degree, a Master of Development Economics degree, an MBA and currently pursuing PhD studies. She has vast corporate experience, having worked for the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Banc Abc, Genesis Investment bank, Metropolitan Bank and sat on the boards of ZESA Holdings and Kusena Diamonds. She was also engaged in the development of political-socio economic strategies at national level. She is also an avid writer on socio economic discourse, with articles in the local media and academia.
She dedicates her time to philanthropic activities reaching out to the less privileged and vulnerable in society. She is passionate about uplifting the livelihoods of mankind.
Fun Facts: I enjoy travelling, watching wildlife and would not to bed without watching a comedy to nourish my sense of humour.
How do I identify: Proud pan Africanist, mother friend, daughter sister, niece, cousin, aunt cis-gender female and able-bodied.
Pronouns: She, Her, Hers

Emily Manyere

Emily is a happily married Zimbabwean entrepreneur and social worker. She is the Founder and Director of Kemrin trading, a Clothing Company that specializes in protective clothing, industrial gear and corporate wear. She has an expansive decade long background in Sales and Marketing.
Emily is a holder of an Honors Degree in Social Work with the Women’s University in Africa. She also holds a Diplomas in Travel and Tourism as well as Social Work. Emily is an avid home Home-makeover guru and Events Planner. Emily prides herself in perfect organization skills and is a self-trained Chef.
Emily dedicates her time to philanthropic activities and has vast experience in working with Caregivers, sexually abused children, orphans and children with disabilities. Emmy is inspired to impact society with her compassion and heart to make a difference in the lives of others.

Tinashe Tanyaradzwa Timba

Service minded individual due to involvement in Rotary Club of Avondale service projects such as Operation of Hope which helped children with cleft lip challenges ,my commitment to conservation and my participation in the Cyclone Idai relief team.
Able to interact with people from different backgrounds due to experience at the Leper village called Mutemwa in Mutoko and my time in both a day scholar institution and a boarding institution.
Goal oriented and determined –development from Success Motivational International in the Makings of Champion course.