Donations

Chiedza is a community-based NGO registered with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Development in 2003, PVO 58/23. It was established in 2001 by concerned professionals and citizens of Zimbabwe in response to the devastating impact of HIV and AIDS on children and families. They were touched by an increasing number of orphans as a result of AIDS-related deaths. With the advent of antiretroviral therapy, the organisation continued to adapt, responding to the impact of HIV and AIDS on children and their families.

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.

Chinyaradzo Children’s Home provides residential care for at least 60 children, ranging from birth to 18 years old. The Home was designed to provide temporary shelter for children while alternative arrangements were being made. This includes reintegration with the extended family members and arrangements for foster care. The home spearheads foster care programs in close liaison with the Department of Social Welfare. However, because of the increasing number of orphans and their needs, coupled with economic hardships, alternative places of committal are no longer easily available. As a result, children have found themselves living at Chinyaradzo Children’s Home for all eighteen years of their lives. Therefore, to respond strategically to the needs of these children, the purpose of the Home was reviewed. Chinyaradzo now exists to provide a permanent Home to children in difficult circumstances from ages 0-18.