Preparing for the Future

By Elisha Shamba

Phoenix is a Charitable Trust registered in the UK and comprises of individuals who are highly motivated in helping Zimbabweans, especially those in the UK to prepare themselves for a future Zimbabwe.

Phoenix wants to help those Zimbabweans in the UK who are especially disadvantaged due to their immigration status (asylum seekers, or those with indeterminate residency, although not limited to just those) but would like to acquire skills that they would use upon their return.

One of the directors for Phoenix, Shane Lunga said, ‘The main aim is to help people who have a commitment to return home, use whatever skills, training education during Zimbabwe’s reconstruction phase. Phoenix is strongly biased towards those who have vocational training aspirations i.e. people who want to use their skills in a practical way.’

Phoenix provides assistance in the form of funding for fees, travel and subsistence while doing in training or placement and accommodation. Each individual has to put in a case that says what they want to do, and how, in the event they were to go back home (when there is a conducive safe environment there), they would contribute to Zimbabwe’s reconstruction. It is important that every applicant knows the importance of this bit.

The Trust is more impressed by people who show they have a passion for something, not merely doing some thing for just the qualification which they could throw away as soon as they can make money in some other way.

Specifics:

The trust provides modest funds for up to about £3,500 but can go up to £10,000 for 2 or 3 individuals who have a very convincing case.

Phoenix is unlikely to support people doing a course of more than a year unless they are in the final year of training or study and just need top-up costs. This means they are biased against academic education (university degrees, PhD’s etc. these are important but they want their funds to help in a different way).

Details about applications can be obtained from Phoenix Zimbabwe

Shane also chairs another Trust called African Fellowship Trust which has a similar aspiration but specifically for individuals who want to major in agriculture. The African Land and Food Fellowship Programme is a scheme of support for emerging sub-Sahara African farmers.It is based at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester. Each award is worth up to £22000.

For more details click http://www.royagcol.ac.uk

Editor : Hatnews and Community Journalism

Phoenix is prepared to assist ten budding Zimbabweans by funding them for a 30 week Community Journalism Course in Leicester starting on the 24th of September 2008. Anyone interested can contact Elisha or John at Hatnews number 01162574987 for more details.