Campaign Story

Chiedza (PVO 58/23) formerly Chiedza Child Care Centre (PVO 16/2003) was a nonprofit organization established in 2001 and registered in 2003. It was formed by a group of individuals concerned about the death of parents due to AIDS leaving a lot of children orphaned. They bought a 5-acre piece of land in Ardbennie, Harare intending to build a children’s home. However, the department of social development advised them to register a PVO instead of running the organization as an orphanage. The organization started providing, basic support such as school fees payment and early childhood education. Over the years, the organization broadened its scope to become more structured and providing services to at least 1000 children annually through education, protection, health, nutrition, and economic strengthening services. The specific activities include:

i) Education – providing early childhood education services to at least 30 children between the ages of 4 to 6 years annually. Chiedza has a registered ECD center for orphans and vulnerable children in Ardbenie. Chiedza additionally provides catch up lessons for at least 200 children from the ages of 8 to 18 years who are out of school. The children attend lessons at the center and are provided with meals through the support offered by Higherlife Foundation. Chiedza pays pay school fees for children who were once out of school and are reintegrated into formal schools up to tertiary level.

ii) Vocational Training – Supporting young people to undergo vocational training through working with established centers. At least 40 young people are being supported.

iii) Formal Tertiary – Those who successfully go through the out of school program up to tertiary level are supported with tuition. Chiedza has 9 learners in various state universities.

iv) Protection – Chiedza provides counselling, conducts parenting sessions, facilitates birth registration and supports abused children and those at risk of abuse through case management.

v) Health and Nutrition – Chiedza supports children living with HIV with medical support, food packs and facilitate support groups through working with local clinics. They also conduct health assessments for children and provide hot meals for at least 200 children learning at the center 5 days a week, during school terms.

vi) Economic Strengthening – Parents and caregivers are trained in group savings and specific income generating skills. Reaches at least 200 parents annually.