The Zimbabwe Voluntary Association — a mutual aid community built on Ubuntu, dignity, and the belief that no Zimbabwean should face grief alone.
ZIVA Global CIC · Company No. 17002394 · Serving the UK since 2020
ZIVA is not a charity. ZIVA is not insurance. ZIVA is not a business.
ZIVA is a village — rebuilt in the UK. It is the sound of people saying "matambudziko ndeedu tese" — we are here with you, we are here for you.
We are the modern expression of Chema — traditional support without shame or punishment, adapted for the diaspora. From Hinckley to Loughborough, Leicester to Coalville, Derby and Nottingham, ZIVA has stood beside every grieving family — collecting freely given contributions from our community and passing them on in full.
ZIVA combines traditional Zimbabwean values with modern structure. No fixed subscriptions — we use the More Hands, Less Weight principle. The larger the group, the less each person pays and the more each family receives.
Connect with your ZIVA community in Leicester, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire — or start one in your city. Open to all aged 18+ in the UK.
Give £2 or £10 when a funeral is announced — a small amount that makes a massive difference to a family in grief.
When your family faces loss, the entire ZIVA community stands with you financially and emotionally. You are never alone.
Your tier is determined by your contribution history, not by payment. You advance to Level 1 automatically after two consecutive funeral contributions.
For members who have contributed to fewer than 2 consecutive funeral calls.
For members with a proven contribution history of 2+ consecutive funerals.
Your membership extends to direct dependants. Other relatives need their own membership.
Strike 1: One missed contribution is understandable. We reach out to check if you need support. | Strike 2: Removal from digital register, though minimum Chema support continues. | Re-Entry: Members can rejoin as Level 2. ZIVA will never completely abandon you — Ubuntu means no one is left behind.
Home is not just where you live. It's where your heart is. The Kumusha Shield was introduced in response to a member poll — because many of us have parents in Harare, siblings in Johannesburg, cousins in Toronto. When the 2am call comes, you should not face it alone or unprepared.
A unified standing order that gives you two things: a Social Fund for quarterly Zimbabwe-culture events (you attend free), and a Kinship Shield — a pre-built bereavement grant for nominated loved ones anywhere in the world. Not just Zimbabwe. Anywhere.
Your £1/month Social Fund contribution builds a permanent budget for quarterly, fully catered, Zimbabwe culture-themed events. Subscribers attend at no additional cost. No collection. No envelope. Just show up.
Two clean tiers. Each member registration covers up to 4 nominees and is set by the age of the eldest nominee.
The grant equals the total Kinship Shield contributions accumulated over three months. Right now that is up to £600; as our membership grows toward 600 subscribers, the grant grows toward £1,800. The fund is always building — it is never empty. A Statutory Reserve from Social Fund surplus absorbs claim spikes.
Complete the registration form below. An admin will be in touch within 5 working days to confirm details and set up your standing order. Do not start any payments until your registration is approved.
ZIVA currently operates three strong branches across the Midlands, each led by dedicated administrators who embody Ubuntu and servant leadership.
Our founding branch — born in 2020. Growing community of Zimbabweans supporting each other across Nottingham and surrounding areas.
Contact Notts Admin →Serving Zimbabwean families across Derby and neighbouring communities with dedication and care.
Contact Derby Admin →Largest and most established membership base. Serving Leicestershire from Hinckley to Loughborough, Leicester to Coalville.
Contact Leicester Admin →ZIVA is expanding to serve every Zimbabwean community in the UK. If you are interested in starting a branch in any of these areas, get in touch.
If you don't see your city listed and you are ready to lead, ZIVA will help you build from the ground up.
ZIVA is not only about loss. We celebrate, we connect, we build culture together. Kumusha Shield subscribers attend all quarterly events for free.
Free for Kumusha subscribers. A four-times-a-year celebration of food, music, dance, and shared heritage. No collection on the night — just show up.
A full day for the ZIVA family — recognition of long-serving members, AGM, group photo, and a night to remember why we do this.
Each branch runs its own monthly meetups — coffee, catch-up, planning. Contact your local admin for the next date.
Are you a Kumusha Shield subscriber or branch admin with a venue idea? We'd love to bring a ZIVA event to your area.
Transparency is a core ZIVA value. All our governing documents are freely available. Email us to request any of these — we will send the latest version directly.
Our governing document — values, structure, member rights, financial transparency & dispute resolution
How ZIVA Global CIC (Co. 17002394) handles your personal data under UK GDPR
Complete guide: joining process, contributions, benefits & community expectations
Operational manual for branch administrators — protocols, templates & best practices
The NACS framework — Two-Strike Rule, Compassion Clause, loyalty rewards
December 2025 to March 2026 accounts, Stripe report, transparent reporting
Member-facing guide — nominees, tiers, grant structure, claim process, opt-in steps
Whether you need help, want to join, or want to start a branch — reach out. You're not talking to a call centre. You're talking to your brothers and sisters. Real people who understand what it means to be far from home but still connected to it.
We welcome partnerships with organisations who share our values of community, dignity, and mutual support.