Impact

In the last 3 years only we

• Empowered over 180 young Zimbabweans as volunteers to deliver integrated Sexual and Reproductive HealthRights (SRHR) programmes
• Built the capacity of 150 Health Centre staff to deliver youth-friendly services
• Our volunteers lead 2 790 home visits to provide psychosocial support to people living with HIV 
• Influenced adoption of safer sexual practices among young people im 31 communities

In 2010 we

• Delivered 3 580 Sexual and Reproductive Health sessions in schools, reaching 19 270 young people in 93 schools
• Distributed 66,498 condoms across 5 districts
• Led 150 Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights awareness-raising events
• Trained 560 teachers and health workers to deliver youth friendly information and services.

In 2009

• 2,285 home visits were made by Young People We Care members
• 800 awareness campaigns on Cholera Prevention and sexual and reproductive health were organised
• 160 orphans and vulnerable children attended residential camps
• 3 youth friendly centres and 29 resource corners were established
• 2 viable low input gardens were initiated, in Hatcliffe and Chimanimani
• 280 adult patrons were trained to oversee the Young People We Care programme and club activities, to ensure sustainability
• 27 schools in Hwedza District received essential supplies for students and teachers including 36,000 exercise books for orphans and vulnerable children.
• 2,000 households each received a 10kg bag of seed and a 50kg bag of fertiliser.

 “I stay alone at my home and do not have any family nearby. I do not have many friends … but I am a member of the Guhune Support group. They usually come over and assist me in cleaning my home …These [Young People We Care members, whom I regard as] my little brothers and sisters come to assist me when members of the support group are not around even come to talk with me and spend a day just talking stories. They give me hope and I will not give up no matter the obstacles. At times I feel like crying when I look at them but we always share stories and it eases my pain. 

… I give talks to people hoping to influence behaviour especially the guys from Young People We Care. It would hurt me hearing that they are living with HIV when I could have helped them prevent [it].”

A young person from Chimanimani living with HIV aged 24 years.

“I lost my parents in 2002 when I was 8 years old; I have been staying with my grandmother since then and my sisters. My life hasn’t been hard but at times I miss my parents, it is hard not having parents. I joined a club at school that was being introduced by peer educators from [Restless Development]. It was fun. I like the games - they taught us how HIV is transmitted by showing us through a handshake game. I have learnt a lot since I joined the club, now I am a Young People We Care member and I also participated in the orphan camps which have helped me open up and realize that I can do more as an orphan. I will not give up when I do my things because that is what I learnt from the camp even at school I am helping my friends…”

A young person from Bulilima aged 15