Access. Retain. Complete. Thrive.
The Challenge
For many vulnerable children and young people in Zimbabwe, education remains out of reach due to poverty, rising school-related costs, and household challenges. The cost of fees, uniforms, learning materials, and basic necessities continues to prevent children from enrolling, attending consistently, or completing their education.
In 2025 alone, 39,736 learners dropped out of school in Zimbabwe, including more than 26,000 secondary school learners. These figures do not include children who fail to start school by age 7. Financial constraints, early marriage, teenage pregnancy, and child labour were among the key drivers contributing to children leaving education.
Children from low-income and vulnerable households are the most affected. Without timely support, children who are excluded from education face increased risks of exploitation, child marriage, substance abuse, unemployment, and lifelong poverty.
If this challenge is not addressed, the number of children excluded from education will continue to grow, limiting Zimbabwe's investment in human capital development and reducing future opportunities for young people to contribute meaningfully to the country's social and economic progress.
While Zimbabwe has historically been recognised for its strong education system, growing economic pressures are creating barriers to education access, retention, and completion. Addressing this challenge requires more than getting children into classrooms; it requires holistic support that enables them to learn, thrive, and transition into meaningful futures.
Our Solution
Hover over each section of the circle to learn more about our integrated approach
Eliminating barriers to education through layered services
We address barriers to education through layered services that combine learning support with protection, health, nutrition, birth registration, and positive parenting.
Hot Meals
We provide 2 meals a day for learners to promote retention in school.
Birth Registration
We facilitate birth registration for learners to be eligible to sit for national examination.
Economic Strengthening
We facilitate income generating activities for parents and caregivers to contribute towards their children`s education.
Positive Parenting Sessions
We facilitate positive parenting sessions to strengthen relationships between caregivers and their children, equipping families with practical skills to create safe, nurturing and supportive home environments.
Child Welfare Case Management
We provide child welfare case management that ensures vulnerable children are safely identified, supported, and connected to protection and care services
SRHR Awareness sessions
We strengthen access to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Awareness education, information, and referrals to reduce school dropout rates and improve retention and completion among vulnerable adolescents and young people
Drug and Substance Abuse Awareness sessions
We equip adolescents and young people with the knowledge and life skills to resist drug and substance abuse, promoting healthier choices and improving school retention and completion.
Food Packs
We provide food support to households with learners living with HIV, helping improve treatment adherence and promote their health and wellbeing.