When a fire destroyed Mount Selinda Orphanage in eastern Zimbabwe in July, a philanthropic giving platform that could help was just getting ready to launch.
RemitHope, founded by philanthropist Tsitsi Masiyiwa, was created to channel diaspora remittances and local donations into African-led community initiatives. The Mount Selinda campaign became its first test case: in less than three weeks, more than 1,000 donors across 10 countries contributed over $40,000. It was instantly doubled by matching funds from RemitHope’s partner foundations, bringing the total raised to just over $81,000. The orphanage is now being rebuilt.
Masiyiwa, who co-founded Higherlife Foundation and Delta Philanthropies and also chairs The END Fund, says the initiative reflects a new phase of African philanthropy.
About the author
Ayenat Mersie
Ayenat Mersie is a Global Development Reporter for Devex. Previously, she worked as a freelance journalist for publications such as National Geographic and Foreign Policy and as an East Africa correspondent for Reuters.
