Zimbabwe Deaf Socio-Economic Development Trust (ZDSEDT) – Deaf Awareness Day September 2025 Fund-Raising Appeal

Background of ZDSEDT and Event

The Zimbabwe Deaf Socio-Economic Development Trust (ZDSEDT) is a national organisation dedicated to empowering Deaf people across Zimbabwe. As the founder, Mr. Shebah Mubayiwa authored the 14 July 2025 letter to request financial assistance for the next national Deaf Awareness Day.

The event has been held annually “for many years,” highlighting its established place on Zimbabwe’s civic calendar. It aims to honour Deaf Zimbabweans, promote Deaf culture, and advance inclusion through public engagement, performances, and dialogue.

Collaborating Organisations

ZDSEDT coordinates the commemorations in partnership with several local bodies spanning government, civil society, and the Deaf community. Organisations explicitly named in the transcript include:

  • Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) – emphasises security, order, and the importance of institutional support.

  • Victim Friendly Courts (VFC) – underlines justice-sector inclusivity for Deaf persons.

  • Sign-language interpreters (individual professionals and interpreter organisations) – make all proceedings linguistically accessible.

  • Provincial Deaf communities from Harare, Bulawayo, Midlands, Manicaland, Mashonaland, Matabeleland, Masvingo, and many other districts nationwide.

Event Overview & Activities

The 2025 Deaf Awareness Day is slated for September 2025 and will feature a workshop in tandem with a Games Day on a sports field. Programming is designed for all age groups and will include:

  1. Speeches by representatives of invited local organisations.

  2. Dance and musical numbers by Deaf performers (specifically the ZDSEDT Deaf Dance Group and school troupes).

  3. A variety of games allowing community participation and fun competition.

  4. One-on-one Question & Answer sessions between Deaf individuals and any visiting organisation (e.g.ZRP, VFC) fostering direct dialogue.

  5. An opportunity for local groups to raise money through stalls or micro-fundraisers within the arena.

Budgetary Requirements

While community enthusiasm is high, the letter stresses that passion alone cannot finance logistics. The estimated cost range necessary to run the single-day national gathering stands at 1000−30001000 - 3000 USD. Identified expense categories include:

  • Food: breakfast and lunch for all attendees.

  • Venue: rental of a sports field (unless donated by a supporter).

  • Infrastructure: audience chairs, performance staging.

  • Entertainment fees: honoraria for Deaf performers or guest acts.

  • Transportation: shuttling participants, especially Deaf people travelling from remote provinces.

The organisers explicitly note they would be “grateful if anyone can provide a venue”, indicating that in-kind donations can lower cash requirements.

Community Support & Sponsorship

Historically, the event proceeds only through the “generous contributions” of:

  • Local councils (municipal authorities),

  • Businesses,

  • Individual donors.

The 2025 letter formally invites prospective sponsors to contribute either monetarily or in-kind. The appeal is deliberately inclusive (“Dear Sir/Madam”), broadening the pool of potential benefactors.

Benefits of Sponsorship & Acknowledgement

With permission, ZDSEDT pledges to acknowledge all contributions:

  • In publicity materials leading up to the event (e.g.posters, social media, press releases).

  • Inside the official Deaf Awareness Day programme distributed on the day.

This public acknowledgement provides donors with reputational benefits, aligns them with disability inclusion, and could satisfy corporate social responsibility (CSR) objectives.

Ethical & Social Significance

  1. Visibility & Empowerment – The celebration counters marginalisation by spotlighting Deaf talent, culture, and socio-economic aspirations.

  2. Inter-agency Collaboration – Partners such as the ZRP and VFC underline systemic efforts to make policing and justice Deaf-friendly.

  3. Rights-based Framing – Through workshops and Q&A, Deaf participants directly voice concerns to duty-bearers, reinforcing participatory development principles.

Contact Information

Prospective sponsors and collaborators are invited to reach Mr. Mubayiwa via text or WhatsApp only (voice calls discouraged) on:

  • +263 77 144 2352

Signatory Details

Yours sincerely,

Mr. Shebah Mubayiwa
Founder, Zimbabwe Deaf Socio-Economic Development Trust (ZDSEDT)
Letter dated 14 July 2025