Development Aid from People to People Zimbabwe (DAPP) has kicked off a six-month project in Mashonaland Central province to support vulnerable school children in Bindura and Shamva District. With financial backing from Miniconf through Humana People to People Italia, this initiative seeks to improve the overall well-being of children under 13 years old in the two districts by ensuring they have reliable access to nutritious food, quality education, sports equipment and essential menstrual healthcare services.
This project comes at a critical time, with UNICEF data revealing that approximately 4.8 million children in Zimbabwe are living in poverty. Compounding worse off, climate-induced challenges like El Niño droughts are hitting rural areas hard, making it tough for families to make ends meet. To help alleviate these economic pressures, the project will cover school fees for 20 primary school students in 2026, aiming to increase primary school completion rates, which currently stand at around 86% nationwide due to financial constraints (GPE 2025 Results Framework for Zimbabwe).
The program also addresses period poverty by providing menstrual healthcare services, including sanitary pads for approximately 75 girls (ages 10-13) in grades 5-7 for the entire year of 2026. This initiative aims to keep girls in school, as 76% of rural schoolgirls in Zimbabwe struggle to access sanitary products.
To combat rising malnutrition and child wasting, the project prioritizes health and physical development. We are supporting a community nutrition garden to enhance a school feeding program at Mumhurwi Primary School and distributing sports equipment to six villages to promote active play and keep youth engaged.
Ultimately, these initiatives align with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2: 2026–2030). By focusing on human capital and social development, DAPP is not merely providing temporary aid, it is building a sustainable foundation for every child in Bindura and Shamva to thrive.