adminKundainashe Chimbi
DZIKWA Trust, an organisation which supports orphans and vulnerable children in and around Dzivarasekwa, has launched a project aimed at empowering the youths.
Dzikwa Trust director, Oili Wuolle, said the youth capacity building project would assist in poverty reduction among youths in Dzivarasekwa.
Speaking to H-Metro, Wuolle said the project’s objective was to empower youths, especially girls and young women in Dzivarasekwa.
“The direct targeted groups are vulnerable youths in the poor township and the main focus is on vulnerable female youths.
“The targeted number over four years of age is 1 600, with 1 360 being girls and young women and 240 being boys and young men.
“Beneficiaries should be between the ages of 15 and 24, and annually 400 youths will benefit from the programme.
“The three pillars in the youth capacity building project includes digital literacy and IT skills, other core employability skills and entrepreneurship skills funded by a government of Finland grant dedicated for this project,” she said.
Founding trustee, Seppo Ainamo, said Africa’s and Zimbabwe’s biggest asset for the future are youths and there was therefore a great need to empower them with skills.
“The project aims to provide skills training with practical approach, broad empowerment, guidance and mentoring.
“They are the future of Zimbabwe and Africa at large and this project will empower youths, especially girls and young women, with capacity to stand up for their rights for economic and social inclusion and to act against all forms of discrimination, violence and harmful cultural practices.
“It will assist them in enhancing sustainable livelihoods and incomes from employment or self-employment through small businesses,” he said.
Dzikwa Trust, which has been operating for 30 years, has over 2 000 beneficiaries, who passed through the education and well-being programme and a number of achievements.
Wuolle said one of their biggest achievements is the multi-functional activity centre which is a hub for Dzikwa Trust Kitchen, ICT skills training, e-learning, remedial lessons, training performing arts and other extra curriculum activities.
“Over 2 000 students have passed through Dzikwa Trust and 124 higher education qualifications, out of which half are university degrees.
“The Dzikwa Trust Performing Arts Culture Group comprising talented children, who have won several awards on behalf of Dzikwa Trust, is another achievement.
“The reforestation and food security programme has helped us to produce most inputs needed at the Dzikwa Trust Kitchen to feed the children on daily basis,” said Wuolle.
“The biggest challenge is getting enough funds for the on-going education and wellbeing support for 400 school children and running of the Dzikwa Trust Activity Centre.
“Getting enough sponsors for the children is another difficulty. Each child in the normal education setup is supposed to have a dedicated sponsor.”
One of the beneficiaries of Dzikwa Trust, who is now a medical doctor, said Dzikwa Trust is a blessing to Dzivarasekwa and Zimbabwe.
“Dzikwa Trust has assisted many students to fulfil their dreams and I am one of them. I am grateful and it is my prayer that Dzikwa Trust continues to survive and help more orphans in Dzivarasekwa and that more well-wishers will assist,” he said.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter