Our S.H.E Programme in Zimbabwe targets the Beatrice (Mashonaland East, 53km from Harare), and Tsholotsho (Matabeleland North, 552km from Harare) districts.
We holistically support forty (40) beneficiaries and their families across ten (10) schools in rural Zimbabwe: fifteen (15) girls in Beatrice across four (4) schools, and twenty-five (25) girls in Tsholotsho across six (6) schools.
Statistics:
In Zimbabwe, 72% of people live below the national monetary poverty line of US $1.00 per day.
In Zimbabwe, 72% of people live below the national monetary poverty line of US $1.00 per day.
Only 14% of girls in Zimbabwe complete upper secondary school, and among the poorest children, this falls to 1%.
Only 14% of girls in Zimbabwe complete upper secondary school, and among the poorest children, this falls to 1%.
In Zimbabwe, 34% of girls are married before the age of 18, and 5% before the age of 15.
In Zimbabwe, 34% of girls are married before the age of 18, and 5% before the age of 15.
The Beatrice and Tsholotsho districts have been recorded to have the highest rates of issues relating to the girl-child such as abuse, child labour, early child marriages/pregnancies, HIV/AIDS, along with many others. This is mainly due to the large number of girls failing to go to school, receiving an education, and learning what is right and what’s not.
The common barriers that we have identified through our ‘Thorough Needs Assessments’, that often prevent girls in rural Zimbabwe from accessing an education include, but are not limited to:
Security
- Experiencing harmful cultural practices,
- Being exposed to various forms of abuse,
- Facing extreme poverty at home,
- Suffering from extreme hunger,
- Having inadequate basic clothing,
- Being orphaned, leading to girls living in child -led homes,
- Being involved in child labour,
- Having no legal documentation,
- Having to travel long distances to school every day.
Health
- Having limited access to, or being unable to afford basic healthcare services,
- Having limited knowledge of menstrual hygiene and access to sanitary products,
- Being affected by HIV/AIDS, and other conditions such as Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs).
Education
Lack of finance for:
- School fees,
- Textbooks,
- Exercise books,
- Uniforms, or
- Stationery.
We meet all of our beneficiaries’ needs holistically and remove the above barriers, to allow each S.H.E girl the opportunity to fully focus on their education and take full advantage of their uniquely tailored support plan. If any additional need arises, we meet this and add it to the support offered.
The Direct Cost of sending one girl to school in Zimbabwe is as follows:
| US $ (UNITED STATES DOLLARS) | £ (BRITISH POUNDS) | |
| TERMLY | $400.00 | £331.00 |
| ANNUALLY | $1200.00 | £991.00 |
(Includes: schools fees, examination fees, extra lesson fees, stationery, textbooks, exercise books, school uniforms, basic clothing, food hampers, health checks, sanitary products and school outings.)
