An Abergavenny teacher has been recognised for her long-term dedication to supporting communities in Zimbabwe. Martha Musonza Holman, co-founder of the charity Love Zimbabwe, has been awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours. The honour recognises her 25 years of service to international development and fair trade.
Ambitious Plans for Sustainable Tourism
Following the announcement, she has revealed an ambitious plan to launch an ethical tourism destination to secure the charity's future. The project, known as the Mutake Mountain Escape, will create a lasting income for the Chinamhora Community Centre.
Martha Musonza Holman said: "I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this award. But it belongs to every person who has ever donated, volunteered, or simply shared our story. Most of all, it belongs to the community in Domboshawa who never give up, no matter what."
From Teacher to Charity Founder
Martha, who works as a teacher at Cardiff and Vale College, moved to the UK in 2001. She established Love Zimbabwe with her husband in 2010 to help families in rural Zimbabwe. The charity has funded vital resources including a library, a sensory room for disabled children, and numerous sanitation projects.
Mutake Mountain Escape: A Self-Sustaining Future
The upcoming Mutake Mountain Escape will be built on eight hectares of land near the community centre. It will host up to 30 guests at a time who want to experience authentic local life. Any surplus income generated from the visitors will go directly toward sustaining the charity’s community work.
Pauline McKenna, Chair of Trustees, said: "Martha's MBE is a testament to what can be achieved through quiet dedication and unstinting love for a community. The Mutake Mountain Escape is the next chapter — a way to make our work in Zimbabwe self-sustaining. We are asking people who are inspired by Martha's story to help us build it."
Supporters can find out how to contribute at www.lovezimbabwe.org/donate.
