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In many of the poverty-stricken communities across Zimbabwe, ensuring that children have access to basic education has become increasingly challenging for many families. As parts of our efforts to make free schooling accessible to children in these communities, we have adopted preschools. The preschools we are working with are located in the following areas.

FHA is working towards supporting a thriving reading culture amongst children in Zimbabwe, regardless of their background and financial status, by establishing mobile libraries in both marginalised and affluent communities across the country. By paying a small monthly subscription fee, children in low density areas are able to access a wide range of books and toys, and in turn make it possible for vulnerable children to access the same resources for free. An app, which is currently in development, will enable them select books online and pick them up from the Eva Marie Centre or have them delivered to them. In addition, the Eva Marie Library presents an opportunity for vulnerable and disadvantaged youth to be employed as librarians.

FHA is establishing child centres in both affluent and impoverished communities. The Eva Marie Centre provide a conducive and safe environment where children learn engaging and essential activities, such as dancing, sewing, beading, and writing, that will in turn aid in their development. Through this, we also aim to expose the children in marginalised communities to opportunities that they otherwise would not have been exposed to, and help them discover their gifts and talents. FHA has so far established two Eva Marie Centres in the Harare suburbs of Highlands and Mbare which are furnished with toys and playground equipment.

Zimbabwe’s well-documented high unemployment rate has left many of its young people destitute and hopeless. Many of them resort to substance abuse as a coping mechanism, or end up living on the streets. FHA’s personal development programs empower disadvantaged youth to sustain their livelihoods. Under these programs, they receive counselling and are trained in areas that align with their purpose and passion. The areas include but are not limited to carpentry, music and art.

As we have implemented programs that aim to improve the lives of children and young adults, we have realised that the context in which they are brought up cannot be overlooked. The family plays a key role in shaping a child’s character and destiny. The strengthening families program will be implemented in both marginalised and non-marginalised communities. Parents will learn skills that are inspired by the Montessori method (which is based on self-directed learning and collaborative play) amongst others which include communication, and playing, learning and bonding with children. In marginalised communities, FHA is working with teachers and respected community leaders to implement this program. In non-marginalised communities, online platforms will be created to support parents.

Good health plays an important part in encouraging productivity and socioeconomic development. FHA has partnered with the Widen Hands Youth Club to fight communicable and non-communicable diseases in marginalised areas such as Mbare. We aim to realise positive health outcomes in vulnerable communities. This initiative encourages regular health check-ups through door-to-door sessions, provides training on healthcare and counselling, distributes promotional materials on health and assists with medical care. The access to healthcare program will also result in the creation of employment by training women to be healthcare workers.

We have a new assembly hall at our Primary School. This project will allow us to install electricity for larger assemblies and presentations.

The Better together initiative assists mothers who live on the streets with their children or are engaged in sex work by providing a means through which they can earn an income. The women are empowered to sustain themselves and put their children through schools. The project, which initially engaged 15 mothers in beadmaking, is training women in a wide variety of skills which include sewing, baking, cooking, knitting, beauty and hairdressing. FHA also assists the mothers with selling their wares with some having their beaded creations sold in the United States.

FHA has provided shelter for homeless or destitute children and families by establishing homes. In many cases these houses act as a transitional base for some of its residents until they have been reintegrated into the communities they originally came from. The homes promote self-sustenance by facilitating entrepreneurial projects such as chicken rearing and vegetable gardening.

FHA has a farm where castor oil is cultivated. This farm provides shelter for youths and families who lived on the streets and are unable to return to their communities. They are given an opportunity to learn skills such as harvesting, pressing and selling so that they are able to sustain their livelihoods.