Our History

The name Mashambanzou comes from a fusion of two Shona words “kushamba” (to wash) and “nzou” (elephant). Together they form a powerful idiom symbolising the dawn of a new day, inspired by the image of elephants going down to the river to wash at first light, a daily act of renewal, strength and cleansing. This symbolism reflects the spirit of Mashambanzou Care Trust (MCT), a beacon of hope and new beginnings for those living with HIV and AIDS.

Through the Vision of Sr. Noreen and the cooperation of a group of dedicated Volunteers, Mashambanzou Care Trust  was founded in 1989, in Harare. Sr. Noreen and her co-workers were touched by the plight of people living with HIV, subjected as they were, to stigmatisation, rejection and discrimination. Their aim was to offer comfort and reassurance to people Living with HIV and their family members, thereby enhancing the quality of their lives and when the time would come, enable them to die with dignity and the knowledge that they were loved.

What began as a humble outreach to provide emotional and physical support has grown into a dynamic, multifaceted organisation that continues to walk alongside the most vulnerable. From helping individuals live meaningfully to supporting families and communities in healing and resilience, MCT remains rooted in the same values that inspired its founding.

Today, Mashambanzou Care Trust stands not only as a care provider but as a catalyst for change empowering lives, restoring dignity and championing the rights of those too often left behind.