Donate a Blanket Project brings warmth and hope to Victoria Falls communities
By Victor Sibanda
The Donate a Blanket Project, launched in early 2025, has quickly grown into a beacon of hope for the elderly, orphans, and people living with disabilities across the city. Victoria Falls residents are witnessing firsthand how a simple act of kindness can transform lives.
The project was pioneered by George Mhlanga, a local community leader and former ZANU PF council candidate for Ward 11. Although he did not secure the council seat, Mhlanga’s resolve to serve his community only grew stronger.
“When President Emmerson Mnangagwa said ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo / Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo’ and that no one should be left behind, those words stayed with me,” Mhlanga said. “That’s when I knew I had to take action and help the vulnerable in my ward and beyond.”
The initiative began at ward level in Ward 11 Mkosana, and on May 10, 2025, it made its first major impact, donating blankets and warm clothing to over 120 people. The beneficiaries included orphans, elderly residents, and people with disabilities, many of whom face harsh winters with little or no protection.
Beyond providing warmth, the Donate a Blanket Project is creating a new sense of purpose and solidarity in Victoria Falls. Volunteers help with sorting and distribution, while residents continue to spread word of the initiative.
“People are starting to come with their own donations, blankets, jerseys, warm clothes. It’s beautiful to see communities uniting,” Mhlanga said.
Looking to the future, Mhlanga says the goal is to expand the project city-wide and eventually cover rural areas in Matabeleland North. Planning for 2026 is already underway, and donations for next winter’s distribution have started pouring in.
But the warmth doesn’t stop with winter. As the festive season approaches, the project has also launched a Christmas Hamper Drive. The aim is to distribute food and essentials to disadvantaged families before the holidays.
“Our cut-off date for collecting Christmas hampers is 10 December. We are appealing to more individuals and companies to join hands with us. Together, we can brighten someone’s Christmas,” Mhlanga said.
One elderly woman from Garikai Compound said: “Life will never be the same for me and my grandchildren. This blanket means everything.”
A father from Mfelandawonye expressed disbelief and gratitude, “I didn’t believe it until I held the blankets and clothes in my hands. For the first time in a long time, we slept warm.”
The project is not just a solo mission. A wide network of local businesses, lodges, legal firms, and medical centers have come on board. Partners include Wild Horizons, Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Ilala Lodge, Palm Lodge, Shockwave Rafting Company, Tatenda Safaris, Pamusha Lodge, Cotton Club, Dube and Nkala Legal Practitioners, Mviringi and Associates, Care Link Medical Centre (Lancet), and Mkhosana Dental, among others. Several individual well-wishers have also stepped in with generous donations.
A spokesperson from one of the tourism companies noted, “We are committed to uplifting the communities that surround us. We fully support the government’s mantra that no one must be left behind, and we will keep sourcing funds to support this initiative.”
What began as a simple response to a national call has evolved into a powerful grassroots movement. The Donate a Blanket Project is not only about handing out items, but about restoring dignity, building community, and showing that kindness can carry a nation forward.
