Meet Danai Machivi

Danai Machivi

We would like to introduce Danai to you, and for you to get to know the journey that led to her becoming part of the Catalyst Foundation – S.H.E Programme, a little bit more. Danai joined the Catalyst Foundation – S.H.E Programme in 2022, as one of our beneficiary’s from the Beatrice district in Zimbabwe. She really loves the colour blue, eating sadza (a traditional Zimbabwean starch), with any protein available and playing netball. Before joining the S.H.E Programme, Danai had numerous barriers that prevented her from going to school and attaining an education. Danai’s parents separated, and her father abandoned her, resulting in her living with her mother.

Unfortunately, her mother was a heavy drinker, but over time, she has been working on her alcoholism,

and is on the road to recovery. After her parents separated, Danai’s mother struggled to support her basic needs, resulting in her not going to school for long periods of time. 

Due to her family’s financial situation, Danai was unable to consistently go to school, as her family struggled to pay her school fees, purchase new uniforms, stationery, textbooks and her sanitary wear. Travelling to school daily was also a struggle for her, as she had to walk a very long distance to and from school every day, making her really tired and unable to fully focus on her studies. 

After meeting Danai’s teachers at her school, we found out that her grades were below average and that she was a slow learner, due to her missing so many days of school at a time, along with the trauma that she had been through with her parents’ separation, along with her father’s disappearance from her life. However, her teachers believe that with enough support, she has the potential to greatly improve her grades over time.

Through our holistic support provided to her, we were able to remove all of Danai’s barriers, allowing her to go to school and continue with her education. Our health check examinations done on Danai, identified a few health issues that she had, such as an Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), and high levels of protein in her urine. From this analysis, we have now addressed all of these issues, and now she is perfectly healthy. Danai now also goes for professional counselling, to assist her with her trauma and mental health. After receiving her new bicycle, she is now able to travel to school a lot easier and quicker, allowing her to have more energy to focus on her schoolwork.

Once Danai finishes her secondary schooling, she has dreams of going to university to become a Teacher.

We asked Danai to share with us what the

Catalyst Foundation – S.H.E Programme means to her:

“Because of the S.H.E Programme, I am now more confident and sure about my future. I have now begun to dream about what I would to become after graduating, because I know S.H.E will be there to help me all the way.”

Are you interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact us today to make your impact

You are minutes away from transforming a girl’s life!

Imagine a girl, uncertain of her next meal, with a future clouded by hunger and a lack of education. Your generosity can change that.

By supporting Catalyst Foundation, you will provide more than just food hampers and clothing. You will empower a girl to dream beyond survival.  School textbooks and unwavering encouragement will light her path to a brighter tomorrow.

Visit our Impact Stories to witness firsthand how our impact has changed the lives of our beneficiaries to date, thanks to passionate donors like YOU!

With heartfelt gratitude from all of us at Catalyst Foundation, THANK YOU!

Become a Monthly Donor and be the reason why a girl is safely in school.

  • For £11 a month, you can equip a girl with the essential stationery supplies she needs to thrive in her studies for a year.
  • For £15 a month, you can provide a girl with brand new school uniforms and shoes for an entire year, giving her the confidence she deserves.
  • For £20 a month, you can provide a girl with a monthly food hamper for a year, ensuring she receives the adequate nutrition she needs to thrive.
  • For £32 a month, you can keep a girl in school for a year by covering her tuition fees.
  • For £47 a month, you can provide two girls with bicycles, transforming their daily commute to school into a safer and quicker journey.


Empower your giving by choosing a custom donation amount. This flexibility enables you to tailor your support, blending various contributions listed above to create a unique impact. By donating in this way, you will allow Catalyst Foundation to address the specific needs of its beneficiaries with precision, responding to their preferences and urgent requirements.