Dignity in Every Stage
of Ageing.
Older persons are not a problem to be solved. They are the architects of our communities, the keepers of our wisdom, and the foundation upon which stronger societies are built.
“There is no one way to age with dignity.”
Responding to different needs with dignity.
Across Zimbabwe and the continent, aging remains misunderstood—reduced to a single challenge when, in truth, it encompasses many.
Some older persons are isolated, craving connection and belonging. Others face barriers accessing medicine or managing chronic illness. Many continue to work, to innovate, to lead—yet remain invisible in economic development.
“Whether through companionship, healthcare access, or economic empowerment, each initiative serves a singular purpose: to stand with older persons.”
Ubumbano: Circles of Care
“Loneliness ends when youth and elders gather to listen.”
Ubumbano brings youth and older persons together through intentional companionship, creating spaces where loneliness dissolves and wisdom is shared. Trained young volunteers conduct regular home visits, listen to life stories, and facilitate wellness checks.
How You Can Help
Become a companionship sponsor or volunteer. Support regular home visits through monthly donations ($30/month). Help us expand Ubumbano to underserved neighborhoods.
100+ households visited through home-based companionship
Volunteer-led conversations focused on wellness, storytelling, and emotional connection
Intergenerational impact: Youth volunteers trained in empathy, communication, and caregiving
Core activities: Home visits, wellness checks, group gatherings, skill and knowledge exchange
Hub-and-section model ensuring consistent engagement across neighborhoods
Community recognition: Monthly celebration of elders' stories and youth contributions
SilverCare
“Medicine reaches those who cannot reach it. Adoption sustains ongoing hope.”
SilverCare bridges a critical gap: older persons living with chronic illness, disability, or poverty often cannot access even basic prescribed medication. Through partnerships with hospitals and pharmacies, SilverCare sources and distributes medicine while conducting wellness checks.
Adopt-an-Elder Model
Connecting sponsors directly to specific beneficiaries for $15/month, building sustainable support systems rather than one-time aid.
5 elderly beneficiaries currently receiving prescribed medication through partnerships
500+ community members reached through medical outreach program in Dema
Adopt-an-Elder model connecting sponsors to specific beneficiaries for ongoing support
Medical partnerships: Collaboration with hospitals, pharmacies, and health professionals
Health awareness campaigns during key observances (World Health Day, International Day of Older Persons)
Research partnerships with universities on common elderly illnesses (hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, dementia, heart disease)
Golden Grit: Building the Longevity Economy
“Experience is capital. Elderly entrepreneurs are the economy's strongest foundation.”
Golden Grit challenges the myth that older age means economic invisibility. Across communities like Mufakose, elderly women run vegetable stalls, poultry projects, tailoring, and food enterprises—Golden Grit strengthens these businesses through intergenerational collaboration.
How You Can Help
Sponsor an elderly entrepreneur's business toolkit ($50–$100 for digital training, bookkeeping supplies, branding). Invest in the longevity economy.
Mufakose pilot launch in one of Harare's oldest, most resilient high-density communities
Multiple enterprise types supported: Vegetable production, poultry, tailoring, grocery retail, craft, food processing
Intergenerational knowledge exchange: Digital skills, mobile money, bookkeeping, marketing meet decades of business wisdom
Household multiplier effect: Strengthened elderly businesses directly improve food security for families and dependants
Sub-Saharan context: Only 17% of older persons receive formal pensions; informal enterprise is survival
Longevity economy focus: Recognizing 1.5 billion older persons globally by 2050 as active contributors, not dependents
Why Partner With Us
The Elderly Welfare Department operates at the intersection of care, economics, and social transformation. We are not building dependency—we are building resilience.
As a Sponsor
- • Adopt an Elder (SilverCare): $15/month ensures monthly prescribed medicine for one older person.
- • Support Ubumbano: $30/month funds home visits, wellness checks, and activities for one elder.
- • Empower an Entrepreneur (Golden Grit): $50–$100 provides business toolkits (bookkeeping, digital training, branding).
As a Volunteer
- • Conduct home visits and wellness checks with Ubumbano
- • Facilitate health awareness campaigns with SilverCare
- • Provide digital literacy, bookkeeping, or marketing mentorship through Golden Grit
- • Help organize community gatherings and intergenerational events
As a Professional Partner
- • Healthcare & Pharmacy: Supply medicine, conduct outreach clinics, partner on affordable medicine.
- • Academia: Research elderly health, co-author policy papers, train medical students.
- • Tech & Marketing: Offer pro bono digital training, app development, or branding for elderly enterprises.
As a Corporate Partner
- • Sponsor medicine procurement through SilverCare
- • Fund elderly entrepreneurship toolkits through Golden Grit
- • Release employees for volunteer companionship with Ubumbano
- • Support research initiatives and health awareness campaigns
As an Advocate
- • Share our stories across your personal and professional networks
- • Support policy dialogue on elderly healthcare access and economic inclusion
- • Champion intergenerational solidarity in your community
Contact & Next Steps
Reach out to the Elderly Welfare Department to explore partnerships, volunteering, or sponsorships.
A society is measured by how it honors its oldest.
Through Ubumbano, SilverCare, and Golden Grit, Hibiscus Dotage Foundation stands with older persons—not to replace their strength, but to amplify it.
“Because every year deserves care. Every story deserves to be heard. Every older person deserves dignity.”