Online Reporter
Leonorah Ncube in Victoria Falls
OVER 1 000 youths aged between 12 and 18 years in Victoria Falls have benefited from various empowerment programmes implemented by the Zion City Foundation, a local non-governmental organisation that seeks to change lives in the community.
Co-founder of the organisation, Mrs Procedure Chikosi, revealed that since their formation in 2018, they have supported over 1 000 young people drawn from the city and its neighbouring rural areas.
“We have assisted a lot of youths, more than 1 000 in Victoria Falls and nearby rural areas because every girl or boy we have helped has had a direct impact on their families,” she said.
Mrs Chikosi said the Zion City Foundation empowers both boys and girls through mentorship programmes where small groups of 10 to 15 individuals, known as mentorship clubs, are formed based on age categories.
These groups provide a safe space for young people to discuss their challenges while focusing on their specific needs.
Trained mentors offer psychosocial support, guidance, and encouragement, helping the youth navigate personal and social issues while fostering personal growth and resilience.
Zion City Foundation also provides educational support to its members, operating a small library with a limited collection of books and WiFi access for research.
Mrs Chikosi highlighted that the organisation is currently sponsoring the school fees of four girls at Ndlovu Secondary School.
For those who do not excel academically, the foundation offers vocational training in sewing and baking to equip them with practical skills.
Additionally, the organisation has taken the initiative to educate young women on menstrual hygiene through clubs, workshops, and community seminars.
“We educate the young people both in clubs and the community generally, focusing on menstrual hygiene management,” she said.
“We share information through workshops and seminars, and when possible, we distribute both disposable and reusable sanitary pads.”
She further noted that Zion City Foundation has partnered with the Rotary Club on a reusable sanitary pad production and distribution project in the district.
The initiative, which involves four partners Pathways, Children in the Wilderness, Jafuta Foundation, and Zion City Foundation aims to provide menstrual hygiene support to schoolgirls.
Each partner has been assigned 33 schools for sewing and distributing the pads, with Zion City Foundation focusing on schools in Dete and surrounding areas.
The collaboration seeks to promote menstrual health and ensure that girls remain in school without disruptions caused by a lack of sanitary products.
Similarly, Mrs Chikosi appreciated the Global Sojourns Giving Circle (GSGC), a United States-based organisation for its continued support in making all the work they are doing possible. She acknowledged that GSGC’s contributions have played a crucial role in sustaining their programmes.
The foundation is set to build a crèche and early childhood development centre in Mvuthu, a nearby rural area, to promote early education in the community.
Ratidzai Matumbura, a 23-year-old Zion City Alumni and current mentor at the organisation, shared how the foundation has had a transformative impact on her life. Having been part of the club since 2018, she credited the mentorship programmes with boosting her confidence and self-esteem, which played a significant role in her academic success.
“My confidence and self-esteem have been greatly improved, and this helped me pass both my Ordinary and Advanced Level exams,” she said.
Ratidzai also expressed gratitude for the organisation’s support in funding part of her tertiary education tuition fees.
“I am truly thankful to Zion City Foundation for helping me with my tuition fees and giving me the opportunity to grow,” she added.
