our story

Leonard Cheshire Disability Zimbabwe (LCDZ) (formerly known as Leonard Cheshire Homes Zimbabwe) is an experienced non-profit organization in disability inclusion. It takes a rights-based, holistic, gender-sensitive and disability inclusive- responsive programming. For more than 10 years, LCDZ has been championing high impact adaptive programmes that have shifted the approach to disability work in Zimbabwe. Our strengths remain at the grassroots.

LCDZ started operating in Zimbabwe in 1981. Leonard Cheshire services were started in 1948 by a British World War II Group Captain Veteran, Lord Leonard Cheshire of Woodhall-UK. Realizing that the needs of disabled people were not being me, he started establishing homes for them in the UK. His idea later on saw the establishment of Cheshire Homes for disabled people across the globe. Today, Leonard Cheshire organizations are operating in 54 countries with the International Secretariat based in the UK.

In Zimbabwe Leonard Cheshire was started by an Irish Catholic priest, who got the idea from his experience in the UK. It began with two residential homes, one for adults and the other for children. They were housed on a temporary basis pending their rehabilitation. Following the global change in the approach to disability with the advent of the UNCRPD in 2006, and the shift from institutionalization in 2008, LCDZ made a decision to wind up all residential facilities and applied its resources to non-residential and outreach programs focusing on persons with disabilities of all genders and age groups.

Vision/Goal

A society in which every person with a disability can enjoy their rights and have the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

Mission

To enable children and youths with disabilities to improve their quality of life and to campaign for the removal of the barriers which hinder them

AWARDS AND DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

ZERO project award Austria, 2015 An awardee of the 2015 ZERO Project Award for its innovative inclusive education program. Exemplary in the areas of innovation, impact, chances of long-term growth and success, and scalability. Inclusive school systems rolled-out in Zimbabwe are outstanding in providing a practical solution to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities.

An awardee of the Southern Africa Gender Protocol Alliance for its outstanding contributions to promoting the empowerment of women and ending gender-based violence.

Meet our team

Creating equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe by supporting them in their efforts to secure education, livelihoods, health and rehabilitation.

Mr Maxen Karombo

A Marketing Director in the top public company quoted on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (Delta Corporation). He brings a wealth of experience as a certified Chartered Marketer having worked in FMCG; Retailing; and Life Assurance. He brings vast expertise in marketing, partnership and resource development, and currently chairs the Resource Mobilization Committee.

Professor Tsitsi Chataika

A renowned disability activist, Author and Inclusive Development Expert. Dr Chataika is a senior Lecturer in disability and inclusive education in the Department of Educational Foundations, University of Zimbabwe. Dr Chataika is the disability and inclusive development expert in the Board.

Mr Alexious Zindoga

A solid community development practitioner with considerable operational experience in disability work at senior level in one of the country’s largest and experienced Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO). Mr Zindoga is an expert in inclusive programming, DPO engagement and development in the Board.

Mr Joseph Tapfumaneyi

A Banker with Eco Bank. Mr Tapfumaneyi is a certified Chartered Accountant. He has more than 10 years of continuous career progression in financial management, administration and auditing roles and is currently the Head of Audit of Ecobank Zimbabwe and Head of Ecobank SADC Region. Mr Tapfumaneyi chairs the Finance Committee

Mr Mike Juru

A property valuer who is a Managing Consultant/owner in a Real Estate company (Integrated Properties). Mr Mike Juru won several business awards including the 2011 ZNCC Entrepreneur of the Year. He has led in prominent positions including the, Real Estate Institute of Zimbabwe (REIZ) president, vice president of Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, chairperson of Zimtrade Export Development Committee and council member for Valuers’ Council and Marondera University of Agriculture. Mr Juru chairs the Property Committee.

Mr Wisdom Choto

An industrial Engineer who runs a successful promotional gift company (Feder Corporate). Mr Choto is a member of the Institute of Industrial Engineers (USA); Southern Africa Institute of Industrial Engineers and Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers. Mr Choto is the business development and social enterprise expert in the Board.

Mr Tendai A Kaseke

A Registrar for Human Resources at Zimbabwe Open University (ZOO). An ardent supporter of performance-based HR practices, Mr Kaseke ensures that LCDZ attracts, retains and develops a pool of competent staff and has a robust leadership pipeline and is the HR technical expert in the Board.