Zimbabwe - Supporting Training for Young People
The phenomenon of child-headed households is one of the key social challenges linked with the HIV and AIDS epidemic in impoverished regions around the world.
In the Buhera district of Zimbabwe, there are an estimated 32,456 orphans and vulnerable children and more than 449 child-headed households. Often these young people live in very poor conditions and are without enough food or proper shelter.
In addition many are living with HIV and AIDS and are using Anti-
Retroviral Treatments.
In 2009, working through the Dananai HIV and AIDS Care Centre at
Murambinda Mission Hospital, the Little Company of Mary applied for
funding from Misean Cara to address the poor standard of living
experienced by vulnerable young people.
Their aim was to establish income generation programmes, as well as peer-education prevention programmes and youth and home-based care programmes.
With the allocation of funding, the Sisters set up four income
generation projects for the target group involving goat, rabbit, and
guinea fowl-keeping and nutritional gardening.
The project benefited child-headed households and young people who
have lost one parent. Young people on Anti-Retroviral Treatments
were also welcomed into the projects.
This project developed activities to support school development
and introduce life skills’ training to its young clients. More than
60 child-headed households benefited from the project, which helped
to reduce the poverty and vulnerability of over 300 young people.
During the year, staff at the Danani Centre worked to strengthen
their relationships with the Ministry of Education, the community at
large and the young people themselves.