What we do

Since 1983 when Save the Children began operations in Zimbabwe, the organisation has remained committed to children, by supporting the government and communities to  deliver on their mandate and make the country  a better place for children.  By implementing relevant child rights programmes, responding to emergencies and advocacy efforts, major milestones  have been reached. These have all contributed towards ensuring that the Zimbabwean child survives, learns and  is protected. Over the years Save the Children responded to several emergencies in Zimbabwe, notably the cholera emergency, drought and food insecurity, Cyclone Idai emergency and lately the COVID-19 emergency.

We believe in working together, empowering and strengthening local capacity, hence we work mostly  through partner organisation, such as local and International Non-governmental organisations, government departments and ministries, local authorities, communities and children. All our support in the communities is given freely, regardless of ethnicity, religious or political affiliation.

 

Zinhle, 12, Zimbabwe, showcases her artwork

Zinhle, 12, Zimbabwe, showcases her artwork which shows how climate change is affecting her community Cynthia Chimbunde/Save the Children

CHILD RIGHTS GOVERNANCE
Nokwanda, 10, (R) with her sister Khanyisiwe* 4 (Front), Grandmother Margaret* 71, and baby cousin Nondi* in front of their home.

Nokwanda* 10, lives with her grandmother Margaret*, 71 sister Khanyisiwe* 4 and brother Dylan* 16 as well as her cousin Nondi*, 15 months. A series of dry years have affected the maize crops Margaret* grew to sustain her family. In September 2020 Margaret* enrolled in a cash transfer programme, run by Save the Children and ECHO. It delivered $65 USD each month, which allows Margaret* to buy enough food for the family throughout the peak hunger period. The family enjoy cooking together and tending to their crops. Save The Children

CHILD PROTECTION
Bradley (10) with the hygiene kit he received from Save the Children

Bradley (10) lives with his family in Chitungwiza town, 30km south of the capital city Harare in Zimbabwe. Bradley is among the children from Chitungwiza and Epworth town council who received hygiene kits from Save the Children in June 2020 in response to COVID-19, under the Education Cannot Wait project. Vulnerable children including those with underlying health conditions and other special needs across 40 primary schools in the two towns are being provided with hygiene kits whose contents include a water storage bucket for use in hand washing, bars of soap, bath towels, disinfectant liquid and sanitary pads for girls, for their use as well as protecting them from catching COVID-19. Sophie Hamandishe / Save the Children

HEALTH AND NUTRITION
Sisters Khanyisiwe* 4 (R) and Nokwanda* 10 outside their home

Nokwanda* 10, lives with her grandmother Margaret*, 71 sister Khanyisiwe* 4 and brother Dylan* 16 as well as her cousin Nondi*, 15 months. A series of dry years have affected the maize crops Margaret* grew to sustain her family. In September 2020 Margaret* enrolled in a cash transfer programme, run by Save the Children and ECHO. It delivered $65 USD each month, which allows Margaret* to buy enough food for the family throughout the peak hunger period. The family enjoy cooking together and tending to their crops.

CHILD POVERTY
Lindokuhle (14) a child affected by drought, Zimbabwe

Lindokuhle (14) is from Zimbabwe where droughts have caused months of delay in planting, putting her and 47% of the population at risk of acute hunger. With serious drought, Lindokuhle now only eats maize and vegetables instead of some other nutritious food she used to have. She also said her mother would soon struggle to earn enough to provide education for her and her siblings. Save the Children has been supporting the community and school under a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program which has enabled the installation of a solar powered piped water scheme which now provides water to their school and their community and their livestock. Cynthia Chimbunde/ Save the Children

EDUCATION
Nicole smiles in a white t-shirt

A portrait of Nicole at home in Harare, Zimbabwe. Nicole is a member of the Save the Children Child Advisory Board as well as a junior Member of Parliament in Harare Province, Zimbabwe. Nicole was awarded the distinguished delegate award at the Model of Nations Conference under the theme ‘The Impact of Climate Change on Children’. Cynthia R Matonhodze

Our impact for children

Icon - Save the Children brand asset

In 2023, Save the Children directly reached

336 444 people in the country including more than 162 864 children