Home of BZA
About The Bristol Zimbabwe Association
BZA is a Bristol based community non-profit organisation established by Zimbabweans, friends and well-wishers to provide a wide range of services among them advice, information, welfare support, etc to the growing Zimbabwean community in the Bristol area as well as finding solutions to help the ordinary suffering people in Zimbabwe, particularly Aids orphans.
Most of our activities/ events were supported or funded by the Quartet Community Foundation, Bristol City Council’s Community Regeneration Division, Refugee Action and Terrence Higgins Trust with support from Bristol Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA).
Brief History
The macro-economic conditions and the tense political atmosphere in Zimbabwe have resulted in a number of people emigrating from Zimbabwe and the most popular destination has been the UK. These people have encountered a number of issues, which include:
- Lack of support from extended families and support networks in Zimbabwe
- Integration with the Bristol community and the cosmopolitan society
- Upholding of the Zimbabwean roots and values in a competing capitalist society.
These challenges have necessitated the formation of BZA. The Association has a membership of 80 people, which draws from expatriate Zimbabweans, refugees and well-wishers. The activities of the association are bound by a constitution adopted during an Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 9 October 2004 and are guided by a committee that was chosen on the same meeting.
The Management Committee consists of five members who are elected at the AGM. The team consists of a chairperson, secretary, treasurer and two committee members.
BZA is in the process of registering as a charity organisation.