- Community Development ·
Sponsor Children to attend School in Zimbabwe
Many children living across Africa in poverty just want the chance to change their future, education is their key.
- Zimbabwe
- hello@actionchange.org
Project Summary
Project Challenge
Project Solution
Impact
Reports
Project Summary
In rural Zimbabwe, thousands of children are unable to access education because local schools are scarce, oversubscribed, and often impossible to reach. Our charity has established low-cost rural schools designed to serve these children, offering not only quality education but also daily meals and vital support. By sponsoring a child, you provide uniforms, stationery, and nutritious food—ensuring they can learn, grow, and thrive. Already, our schools have transformed entire villages, with one community seeing an 86% increase in test results since we opened our doors. You can fund a child for £40 a month to attend school
Project Challenge
For children in rural Zimbabwe, the dream of education is too often out of reach. Schools are few and far between, overcrowded, and lack the resources to meet demand. Many children must walk long distances—sometimes over an hour each way—only to find they cannot be enrolled. Poverty compounds this challenge, with families unable to afford uniforms, books, or even food to sustain their children through the school day. Hunger, exhaustion, and the lack of opportunities leave many children trapped in a cycle of poverty, with little hope for a better future.
Project Solution
Our low-cost charitable schools provide a lifeline. Each child who receives sponsorship is given:
A place in school with small class sizes and dedicated teachers.
– Daily nutritious meals, often the only food a child will receive that day.
– Uniforms and learning materials so they can study with dignity and pride.
– Weekend food parcels, ensuring hunger doesn’t force them out of school.
The results are already clear: attendance has soared, test scores across whole villages have dramatically improved, and children are inspired to learn and dream again.
Impact
Education fuels lasting change. When children in rural Zimbabwe have the chance to learn, they gain the skills and confidence to build brighter futures for themselves, their families, and their communities. Girls who are sponsored are far more likely to complete school and avoid early marriage. Boys are given the chance to develop into skilled workers, teachers, or leaders. With every child sponsored, we are not just opening classroom doors—we are breaking the cycle of poverty and planting the seeds of opportunity for generations to come.
Reports
Project Report | Mar 12, 2026
Zimbabwe: The country the world forgets
By Tyrone Bennett | CEO of Action Change
I have a real soft spot for Zimbabwe. It’s a place that many international charities (especially in the UK) steer clear of because it’s “too hard” or flagged red by banks so they wont work with your charity making life hard. But honestly? That just makes me more determined. I make it a point to get out there at least once a year because the community spirit is unlike anything else on Earth. You’re surrounded by people who have so little but want to give so much. You feel safe, you see smiles everywhere, and then you see the challenges of rural Africa and it hits you right in the gut.
What’s happening on the ground Last October, I spent the whole month with the team on-site. It was incredible. Our children’s home is doing a massive, heart-filling transition moving from an old-school orphanage model to a team that helps displaced children actually return to their families.
The old building is now part of a fabulous school that’s working with local authorities to create safe spaces and resources for youth victims. We have over 900 displaced children in our programs right now. These kids don’t want miracles; they just want a “normal” life, and that starts with a desk in a classroom.
The Scholarship Challenge We’ve been able to piece together 6-12 month scholarships thanks to your amazing one-off donations, and we value every single cent of that! But to really change a life, we need to move away from “stop-and-start” education.
I met a young girl recently who walks 55 minutes each way in the blistering African sun just to get to school because she is so desperate to learn. Her family just can’t swing the fees. We work with 19 primary schools in rural communities like hers, and the need is urgent. A regular monthly donation even a small one is what ensures these kids stay in school every day, not just when the “pot” happens to be full.
Innovation over Inflation Zimbabwe uses USD, which makes things crazy expensive. Get this: a 5kg bag of fertiliser can cost over $950 due to shortages. That is totally out of reach for a local family.
But check out how we’re beating the system! We’ve partnered with Clive, a local organic farming genius. He’s training families to build vermi-composting units (worm farms!) at home. They turn organic waste into high-grade fertilizer that they can bag up and sell to pay for school fees. Plus, that fertiliser goes back into our farming programs that feed the schools. Everything is connected!
Let’s show Zimbabwe it isn’t forgotten. Let’s keep these kids in school and keep these communities growing!
Stay awesome,
Ty Bennett
_____________________________________________________
Term 3 and it’s back to School
By Bookey | Volunteer and Fundraiser at Marula Primary School
Dear Friends & Supporters Around The Globe,
This Monday marked the return to school for the children we support in rural Zimbabwe, and while we’re filled with hope for a productive term ahead, we’re also facing some immediate challenges we need your help with.
With so much uncertainty around the world donations have been on a steady decline. However thanks to your continued generosity and the amazingly people that support us with monthly recurring donations, we were able to settle the outstanding payment to our food suppliers from last term on May 6th. However, because of the delay, suppliers now require upfront payment for this term’s food deliveries. The total cost to cover essential items is $1,983.65, broken down as follows:
$247.65 for fresh vegetables
$936.00 for soya chunks, sugar beans, rice, and oil
$800.00 to pay two cooks for May and June
We’re deeply grateful to our monthly donors as your consistent support has been a lifeline. However, with fundraising a bit slower recently, we’re playing catch-up. To avoid running out of food next week, we urgently need to raise the above amount so we can stay on track, our program has been running for a long time now and Marula Primary School really values your support and dedication to our amazing children.
These children walk up to two hours each way to attend school. For many, the hot meal and snack they receive here is their only nutritious food of the day. Beyond nourishment, your support gives them the motivation to come to class, stay engaged, and build a future that’s full of promise—not poverty.
We know you are doing so much for us and we kindly ask that please consider sharing our project or if you are able to and willing to be able to make another small gift today we really do value every penny. Even a little goes a long way when it means no child goes hungry at school.
Thank you, as always, for standing with us.
With gratitude,
Everyone at Marula Primary School
In rural Zimbabwe, thousands of children are unable to access education because local schools are scarce, oversubscribed, and often impossible to reach. Our charity has established low-cost rural schools designed to serve these children, offering not only quality education but also daily meals and vital support. By sponsoring a child, you provide uniforms, stationery, and nutritious food—ensuring they can learn, grow, and thrive. Already, our schools have transformed entire villages, with one community seeing an 86% increase in test results since we opened our doors. You can fund a child for £40 a month to attend school
For children in rural Zimbabwe, the dream of education is too often out of reach. Schools are few and far between, overcrowded, and lack the resources to meet demand. Many children must walk long distances—sometimes over an hour each way—only to find they cannot be enrolled. Poverty compounds this challenge, with families unable to afford uniforms, books, or even food to sustain their children through the school day. Hunger, exhaustion, and the lack of opportunities leave many children trapped in a cycle of poverty, with little hope for a better future.
Our low-cost charitable schools provide a lifeline. Each child who receives sponsorship is given:
A place in school with small class sizes and dedicated teachers.
– Daily nutritious meals, often the only food a child will receive that day.
– Uniforms and learning materials so they can study with dignity and pride.
– Weekend food parcels, ensuring hunger doesn’t force them out of school.
The results are already clear: attendance has soared, test scores across whole villages have dramatically improved, and children are inspired to learn and dream again.
Education fuels lasting change. When children in rural Zimbabwe have the chance to learn, they gain the skills and confidence to build brighter futures for themselves, their families, and their communities. Girls who are sponsored are far more likely to complete school and avoid early marriage. Boys are given the chance to develop into skilled workers, teachers, or leaders. With every child sponsored, we are not just opening classroom doors—we are breaking the cycle of poverty and planting the seeds of opportunity for generations to come.
Project Report | Mar 12, 2026
Zimbabwe: The country the world forgets
By Tyrone Bennett | CEO of Action Change
I have a real soft spot for Zimbabwe. It’s a place that many international charities (especially in the UK) steer clear of because it’s “too hard” or flagged red by banks so they wont work with your charity making life hard. But honestly? That just makes me more determined. I make it a point to get out there at least once a year because the community spirit is unlike anything else on Earth. You’re surrounded by people who have so little but want to give so much. You feel safe, you see smiles everywhere, and then you see the challenges of rural Africa and it hits you right in the gut.
What’s happening on the ground Last October, I spent the whole month with the team on-site. It was incredible. Our children’s home is doing a massive, heart-filling transition moving from an old-school orphanage model to a team that helps displaced children actually return to their families.
The old building is now part of a fabulous school that’s working with local authorities to create safe spaces and resources for youth victims. We have over 900 displaced children in our programs right now. These kids don’t want miracles; they just want a “normal” life, and that starts with a desk in a classroom.
The Scholarship Challenge We’ve been able to piece together 6-12 month scholarships thanks to your amazing one-off donations, and we value every single cent of that! But to really change a life, we need to move away from “stop-and-start” education.
I met a young girl recently who walks 55 minutes each way in the blistering African sun just to get to school because she is so desperate to learn. Her family just can’t swing the fees. We work with 19 primary schools in rural communities like hers, and the need is urgent. A regular monthly donation even a small one is what ensures these kids stay in school every day, not just when the “pot” happens to be full.
Innovation over Inflation Zimbabwe uses USD, which makes things crazy expensive. Get this: a 5kg bag of fertiliser can cost over $950 due to shortages. That is totally out of reach for a local family.
But check out how we’re beating the system! We’ve partnered with Clive, a local organic farming genius. He’s training families to build vermi-composting units (worm farms!) at home. They turn organic waste into high-grade fertilizer that they can bag up and sell to pay for school fees. Plus, that fertiliser goes back into our farming programs that feed the schools. Everything is connected!
Let’s show Zimbabwe it isn’t forgotten. Let’s keep these kids in school and keep these communities growing!
Stay awesome,
Ty Bennett
_____________________________________________________
Term 3 and it’s back to School
By Bookey | Volunteer and Fundraiser at Marula Primary School
Dear Friends & Supporters Around The Globe,
This Monday marked the return to school for the children we support in rural Zimbabwe, and while we’re filled with hope for a productive term ahead, we’re also facing some immediate challenges we need your help with.
With so much uncertainty around the world donations have been on a steady decline. However thanks to your continued generosity and the amazingly people that support us with monthly recurring donations, we were able to settle the outstanding payment to our food suppliers from last term on May 6th. However, because of the delay, suppliers now require upfront payment for this term’s food deliveries. The total cost to cover essential items is $1,983.65, broken down as follows:
$247.65 for fresh vegetables
$936.00 for soya chunks, sugar beans, rice, and oil
$800.00 to pay two cooks for May and June
We’re deeply grateful to our monthly donors as your consistent support has been a lifeline. However, with fundraising a bit slower recently, we’re playing catch-up. To avoid running out of food next week, we urgently need to raise the above amount so we can stay on track, our program has been running for a long time now and Marula Primary School really values your support and dedication to our amazing children.
These children walk up to two hours each way to attend school. For many, the hot meal and snack they receive here is their only nutritious food of the day. Beyond nourishment, your support gives them the motivation to come to class, stay engaged, and build a future that’s full of promise—not poverty.
We know you are doing so much for us and we kindly ask that please consider sharing our project or if you are able to and willing to be able to make another small gift today we really do value every penny. Even a little goes a long way when it means no child goes hungry at school.
Thank you, as always, for standing with us.
With gratitude,
Everyone at Marula Primary School
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- Community Development ·