Our Goal: Self-Reliance for orphans and their caregivers

We build self-reliance through project develoment, education, counseling and community support. We concentrate our efforts in some of the neediest areas in Zimbabwe — eleven tiny villages in the Chivi District of Masvingo Province.

Project Development — Orphans or their caregivers create their own income-generating projects. They work in committees to develop their own constitutions and business plans. They then apply to the foundation for start-up funds and for education on project and resource management and marketing.
Over 50 projects are now ongoing, including basketmaking, market gardening, and sewing.

Education — This year The Zienzele Foundation is keeping 1,000 children in primary and secondary schools by helping them and their caregivers earn school fees. Zienzele groups of caregivers weave traditional baskets which are sold in the U.S. and abroad; 100% of earnings from these sales are used to pay the fees. Since currency reform in Zimbabwe, school fees have risen sharply, and this is a major challenge for the Zienzele Foundation. However, education is an absolute necessity if these orphans are to have a better future, so it is a challenge that we must meet. You can help by making a donation, buying a basket, or volunteering to sell baskets in your community.

Counseling and Community Support — Children who have been orphaned may have no one to confide in about their fears, problems, and coping with their loss. Therefore teachers, youths, caregivers, and health workers are selected by community members in each village to form Zienzele teams. These teams go through a training program to learn ways they can support the orphans and caregivers. They also act as a resource for their communities. In addition, we offer counseling and educational programs to children and caregivers. These include topics of health, nutrition, HIV prevention, and self-esteem. Nancy Clark's Fall, 2009 Field Report describes these efforts.