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Why World Vision is in Zimbabwe
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, sponsors may experience delays in communication from their sponsored child. We are actively working to keep you updated as the situation changes.
In 2020, Zimbabwe suffered from multiple crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and a major malaria outbreak. As with many other nations, the most vulnerable households felt the pandemic’s impact most severely: Economic hardship and lost jobs caused acute food insecurity and malnutrition, and infrastructure for clean water and sanitation deteriorated. Fears of the virus and restrictions on movement meant many people stopped visiting health clinics, leading to higher malnutrition rates and pregnancy complications. Millions of children’s education was affected, and students had to take exams without the benefit of regular class time, resulting in low pass rates. Gender-based violence increased significantly amid pandemic-related stresses.
Thanks to strong partnerships, millions of vulnerable kids and families were supported to weather the year’s challenges. Families affected by natural disasters like cyclones and floods received food, hygiene kits, and child protection services while they were displaced. Health facilities, schools, and communities got access to personal protective equipment, clean water, and sanitation to help protect themselves against COVID-19. People heard messages about the pandemic to combat misinformation and take the right actions to stay healthy.
We never give up on people
World Vision child sponsorship looks at all the things that prevent children from surviving and thriving in their community, and then works with that community to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together to build a better life for all children. For sponsors, it’s a personal way to show God’s love to a child in need in a life-changing way.
Sponsor a child in Zimbabwe ❯
Progress in Zimbabwe
Thanks to the generous support of donors, we’re making great progress toward the well-being of children and their families.
Child Protection and Care
Boys and girls are safe and valued, well cared for by their families, and participating in their communities as agents of transformation.
- Some neighborhoods are learning how to advocate for child rights and protection, empowering people to speak out to ensure children are safe, cared for, and protected from abuse. They are also being trained how to lobby the local government, to improve health clinics, schools, or other services that their children are entitled to.
Healthy Children and Families
Children and families are well nourished, protected from infection and disease, and have access to essential health services.
- Over 3,500 face masks were given to health facilities and workers, helping to stop the spread of COVID-19.
- Over 2,700 hygiene kits including soap, jerry cans, and handwashing supplies were given to community members, helping to protect children and their families from COVID-19. Families also participated in hygiene training and now have handwashing stations with soap at home, helping to keep children safer from disease.
Education for Better Lives
Children have opportunities to learn and to develop their talents, young people are equipped for the future, and families and communities support children's education.
- 3,500 girls and boys took part in personal development activities focused on values and caring for others, to help them understand their worth, make healthy choices, and develop positive relationships.
Love of God and Neighbors
Children and families are growing spiritually, local churches are strengthened to demonstrate Christ's love in practical ways, and people are living at peace with their neighbors.
- Faith leaders were trained to run parenting workshops and support groups, strengthening families to care for their children, and supporting them to know, experience, and show God's love.
Prayer Requests from Zimbabwe
World Vision's staff in Zimbabwe are asking us to join them in prayer for the following:
For teens’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact, as suicide is now one of the top five causes of death among teenagers in Zimbabwe.
That institutions like schools, churches, and government departments would be able to offer children and families holistic support, especially regarding teens’ missed opportunities for education.
News from Zimbabwe
From the Field
12 reasons to have hope in 2022
While progress on ending global poverty and boosting development has slowed or stalled because of the pandemic, we still have many reasons to be hopeful. As we see progress in clean water, mother and child health, advocacy work, and more, we can trust that our sovereign God hasn’t stopped working. Read evidences of God’s mercy to His people with these 12 reasons to have hope in 2022.
From the Field
2019 Cyclone Idai: Facts, FAQs, and how to help
Catastrophic flooding from Cyclone Idai and Cyclone Kenneth affected close to 2.2 million people in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. Idai and Kenneth were two of the top five worst storms to ever hit Mozambique. Together, they’ve caused an unprecedented amount of damage. World Vision staff are providing shelter, food, and clean water to families in need.
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