Zimbabwe – Family Strengthening

The two targeted districts, Bindura and Waterfalls, remain among the worst affected by the poor socio-economic conditions in Zimbabwe. 72% of the population in Bindura and Waterfalls live below the poverty line (Poverty Atlas report). Children who have lost or risk losing parental care fail to realise their full potential due to a lack of meeting their basic needs. In Mashonaland Central (the wider region where Bindura is located) and Waterfalls, 35% of children fail to attend school because they cannot pay the school fees.

This programme works with family strengthening to prevent children from being separated from their families. When a family enters the family strengthening programme, the first step is to assess the major challenges in the family, and where the family would like to be in 3-5 years. Local SOS employees visit each family, and an individual plan for the family is created together.

The programme ensures that over 9,000 children and young adults each year have access to quality education, curative and preventative health, youth employability support and, for those not living with biological parents, that they are placed under the best alternative care options. In addition, 2494 caregivers are trained in positive parenting, food security, preventative health, and income-generating activities.

To ensure long-term sustainability of the above interventions, community structures are trained in child protection and fundraising. SOS Zimbabwe partners with relevant Government departments, schools, Civil Society Organizations, community-based structures, and service providers to address the needs of the targeted families.