This Black History Month, we’re celebrating some of the people who make a difference in our communities every day.
As part of this year’s theme, ‘Honouring Our Communities’, we met Tendayi Madzunzu from the Zimbabwe Women’s Organisation (ZIWO), which has been supporting Zimbabwean women and families across Greater Manchester for almost 20 years.
Founded in 2006, ZIWO began as a support network for Zimbabwean women settling in Manchester, providing cultural support, advice and advocacy. Its work has since grown to include education and homework support, employment advice, human rights advocacy and activities celebrating Zimbabwean arts, culture, language and heritage.
Tendayi describes ZIWO’s aim as helping Zimbabwean women to “thrive, not just survive”, with services rooted in Zimbabwean culture, languages and heritage.
That support continues to evolve with the needs of the community. Most recently, ZIWO has been using our White Moss community room to run digital inclusion sessions, where women can support one another with things like booking appointments and accessing services online.
At the heart of ZIWO’s work is the Zimbabwean philosophy of UNHU/UBUNTU – celebrating shared responsibility, mutual support, caring and respect for others.
Through her work with ZIWO, Tendayi is helping Zimbabwean women have their voices heard, preserve and celebrate their heritage, and play an active role in the communities and neighbourhoods they call home.
This Black History Month, we’re proud to honour Tendayi and the work of ZIWO.
