Zimbabwe

Working With Children in Zimbabwe



Cyclone Idai causes loss of life and widespread destruction across Zimbabwe


On March 14th, Cyclone Idai devastated two regions in Zimbabwe when it made landfall in neighbouring Mozambique. Flooding in the country has caused loss of life and displacement. At last report, 334 people are confirmed dead, with 200 injured and 257 missing. Infrastructure, including roads, schools, and clinics have been severely damaged. The well-being of approximately 129,000 children in Zimbabwe is at stake.
 
Donate now  to help vulnerable children and their families affected by this crisis with life-saving essentials like food, hygiene kits and more. Your gift will also help establish safe spaces for children to meet their physical and emotional needs during this crisis.
 
While no Canadian sponsor-supported communities in Zimbabwe have been directly affected, World Vision is on the ground providing immediate assistance, distributing food and hygiene kits to those in need. Specifically, these have to date included, but are not limited to, providing just over 1,000 households with food packages, kitchen kits, shelter equipment and WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) equipment.
 
Disasters of this magnitude are especially frightening and traumatic for children. World Vision is working to protect both their physical and psychosocial needs, and child-friendly spaces have been provided in the area of Chimanimani with other areas to follow.
 
Children are currently at-risk of hunger, injury and death from the devastating floods. We are working with local communities to provide supplies to those impacted. We are also leveraging partnerships with various UN agencies, communities, donors and faith- and community-based organizations to respond to the crisis.
 
 
For more information, please call us at 1-800-654-2650.
 

Zimbabwe continues to face extremely high unemployment rates, with a resulting 72 per cent of the population living in poverty. Families often run out of food between harvests and one-third of children are stunted due to malnutrition.

We distribute food to families, support school feeding programs and train health workers to screen children for malnutrition. We equip farmers to grow drought-tolerant grains and use water-conserving farming methods. A contributing factor to food insecurity is high rates of HIV, with 570,000 children in Zimbabwe having lost one or both parents to the virus. We work with communities to stop the spread of HIV and care for orphaned children.

Building sustainable futures together

World Vision child sponsorship in Zimbabwe starts by looking at what is preventing children from surviving and thriving in their community. We then work with the community to bring the pieces of the puzzle together to build a better life for all children. For sponsors, it’s a personal way to show life-changing love to children in real need.

 

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Your impact in Zimbabwe

Together, we’re making real change in the lives of children, families and communities. Just some of what was achieved with Canadian support in the past year:
  • 44,043 frontline workers were trained in child protection issues as part of our COVID-19 response
  • 13,089 hygiene kits including soap, jerry cans, and handwashing supplies were given to community members
  • 421 health facilities were given training or supplies as part of our COVID-19 response
  • 198,067 information materials about COVID-19 were shared in public places, in print, and online
  • 650,482 community members were given food assistance as part of our COVID-19 response
Results of World Vision Canada’s covid-19 response in Zimbabwe, in partnership with other World Vision offices, from March to September 2020
  • 1,500 local reading materials were developed and distributed in the last six months
  • 1,200 school-age orphans and vulnerable children who are registered in our programs are currently attending school
  • 1,200 kids and youth completed one of our life skills courses
  • 52 teachers are putting their new literacy training into practice
  • 2,787 kids now go to after-school literacy activities
Results of World Vision Canada's projects in Zimbabwe funded by child sponsorship, from October 2019 to September 2020
  • 3,490 children are participating in activities with their parents
  • 1,444 community members who went to our child protection training know how to respond to child abuse or neglect
  • 209 faith leaders who went to our workshops pledged to act on issues like HIV and AIDS, gender equality, child health, and child safety
  • 868 parents learned how to nurture their children as part of our parenting course
  • 10,594 children participated in spiritually nurturing activities

Results of World Vision Canada's projects in Zimbabwe funded by child sponsorship, from October 2019 to September 2020
  • 20 malnourished children enrolled in nutrition programs graduated after three months
  • 41 community health workers were trained to identify malnourished kids
  • 120 pregnant women and new mothers took part in health and nutrition training
  • 68 women have delivered their babies in a health facility
  • 2 shelters were constructed as accommodations for full-term pregnant women
Results of World Vision Canada's projects in Zimbabwe funded by child sponsorship, from October 2019 to September 2020
  • 14 households reported an increase in crop yields
  • 34 people are involved in productive activities such as farming and trading
  • 4 communities updated their disaster preparedness plans
  • 114 small business owners report that they’ve gained new skills
  • 5 savings groups are running in the community
Results of World Vision Canada's projects in Zimbabwe funded by child sponsorship, from October 2019 to September 2020
  • 1,500 people have access to sanitation facilities and services during times of crisis
Results of World Vision Canada's projects in Zimbabwe funded by child sponsorship, from October 2019 to September 2020
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) impact on World Vision operations

In support of public health recommendations outlined by the World Health Organization, some sponsorship program activities have been temporarily suspended due to COVID-19. Activities may include sponsor queries and correspondence, sponsor visits, gift notifications and gift deliveries. These temporary suspensions may affect the information you receive from us in the coming weeks and months. Learn more about our response to COVID-19.