Beneficiary Stories

Read up on the amazing stories of the individuals we’ve helped and in some instances, completely changed their lives.

Our Current Progress

We currently have thirty-seven beneficiaries. Thirty-two are primary and secondary school students and five are university students.
University fees are paid twice a year. First semester is January to June and the second semester is from August to December.
Secondary and primary school is paid three times a year and broken into three terms, 1st term is January to April, the second term is May to August and the third term is September to December.
The tuition fees vary every year as the numbers or amounts increase or decrease depending on the beneficiaries we have.

Edward Nyatsanza

l am Edward Nyatsanza one of Vana trust’s beneficiaries and l’m now a graduate from University of Zimbabwe holding a degree in Accounting. My journey with Vana Trust started when l thought that my life, dreams and hopes were shattered. Vana Trust showed up in my first year second semester in 2016 when l had no school fees. l remember we were towards examinations, had no accommodation and I was sleeping in the school library and with no food as well. It was really tough for me, Vana trust showed up to uplift me and to tell me that l was going to finish that degree. My four years at University of Zimbabwe studying Accounting is a success today only because Vana Trust showed up just at the time when I was about to drop out, they started to cater for my tuition fees and accommodation at the University. My life was made easy to an extent that they provided accommodation during my internship in Harare and they also helped me to find a placement for my internship. They say blood makes us family but being a part of Vana Trust showed me that family are the ones who are going to stand by you, to support your dreams, to help you fullfil your career and I can safely say that Vana Trust has become my family and they have found a home in my heart. It is true, words alone will never be able to express how grateful I am to them. Indeed the road has been full of meanderings and obstacles but whenever I would lose hope the Vana Trust family was there to lift me up and to bring me hope and tell me that tomorrow is a new day filled with its own encounters and joy. We are here today and I do not credit this success of becoming a graduate holding 2.2 degree class solely to myself but to Vana Trust because they made this dream possible. Thank you so much Vana Trust family for standing with me today, we fought this battle together and the victory is ours to celebrate together.

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Chenai Bandera

Thanks to one of the ladies I used to work for cause she is the one who introduced me to Vana Trust when I was now doing my second year. I have been with Vana trust since 2018 when I was doing my second year at Chinhoyi University of technology till June 2020 when I completed my degree program glad to say I was privileged to be one of the beneficiaries of Vana Trust and this indeed lightened my financial burden. I don’t know how to say this but all I can see is I saw God work through the help of these Trustees. They came in my life when I was at the verge of dropping school cause prices were now going up and the money I was getting from the part time jobs was not enough to cover up for the rising prices. The financial assistance Vana Trust provided helped me in paying for my education expenses, food and accommodation.

All this gave me huge relief in terms of finances and allowed me to focus more on my academics and to excel. I’m glad to say I now hold a first class degree in Accountancy. I’m now looking forward to advancing my career and to have an appreciation of how it is done in organizations. On behalf of all those who are financially sponsored by Vana Trust I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Vana Trust, for your support and for making my dream of being an accountant a reality.

Tinashe Chikafa

Being a Vana Trust beneficiary has taught me quite a lot about looking out for others and the only way I can do so is through making decisions or help make decisions for a better Africa safe for everyone. Which can never be achieved in the private sector but in policy crafting and central government.

For my MA project I chose, THE EVOLUTION OF POLITICS AND LAWFARE: REGIME CHANGE AND SECURITY IN ZIMBABWE.

For my PhD aspirations i am really inspired to work on how conflict affects livelihoods and development. By being a Vana Trust beneficiary I have been empowered to soar high, having recently been an intern with the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security (RUSI), a prestigious institute in the fields of security and peace. I am really grateful for the opportunity and have really lived up to the motto NEC ASPERA TERRENT~ nothing shall deter us, no matter what we dream of, we can achieve it. Thank you Vana Trust!

UK Farm Beneficiary Stories

Tracy's Story

Tracey suffered from severe feelings of anxiety and depression, she stayed home most of the time and didn’t socialise. She started work at the farm and although her attendance at the beginning was sporadic due to her anxiety, with our support and encouragement she persevered. Tracey really enjoys spending time with all the different animals, they give her a sense of calmness and comfort and when her anxiety got too difficult to deal with at the farm, she would go and sit with the animals or she would take herself off to weed one of the beds. Working at the farm has given Tracey a purpose and the confidence to socialise with other people, she is now able to speak in groups, go shopping and is much more independent.

Dennis's Story

Dennis was a young lad who was getting into serious trouble at school and was at risk of becoming expelled. He started work at our farm, one day a week and thoroughly enjoyed all the hard work it entailed. Dennis became a great team player and could be trusted to complete jobs without supervision, he particularly enjoyed the work with the animals and the construction of fences, shelters, and raised beds. His schoolwork improved, he became more confident and motivated, he realised that farming was what he wanted to do when he finished school, although he was adamant, he didn’t want any further education. Because of the good work he completed at the farm and his enthusiasm for farming, when Dennis left school, he was able to gain employment with a local sheep farmer.

Mike's Story

Mike was referred to us from the local mental health team, he had suffered from schizophrenia and other mental health issues. When he first started working on the farm, he lacked energy, was angry with the government systems and demonstrated some inappropriate behaviors. Mike soon started to enjoy working outdoors and the physical exercise our work entailed, with our support Mike’s inappropriate behaviors decreased. He made friends with other volunteers and trainees, he became a great team player and helped out our more vulnerable trainees. Mike completed his portfolios and became a mentor, supervising the other trainees. During his time with us, Mike learned many practical skills as well as interpersonal skills, he became much more confident and motivated and his experience with us gave him the ability to find full-time employment.

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