- Community Development ·
Give Hope to Vulnerable & Abused Children in Zimbabwe
Providing a safe house and education to over 100 abused children in Zimbabwe
- Zimbabwe
- hello@actionchange.org
Project Summary
Project Challenge
Project Solution
Impact
Reports
Project Summary
We are giving 225 vulnerable children in Zimbabwe a new life by moving away from cold institutions to family-style homes. Our model provides real houses where children live with a house mum and seven siblings, cooking and growing as a family. With schools on-site, we are able to provide excellent care. We are committed to keeping families together, and so more resources are needed in the community as well.
Project Challenge
Shockingly, two in three children in Zimbabwe experience violence or abuse as a child. The UN reports that one in three girls under 18 experience sexual violence, leading to teen pregnancy and early marriage.
Many in care are young survivors of trauma and abuse who require more than just a bed; they need a sanctuary. Current systems are overstretched and often fail, but with a global movement to end children’s homes, there is often no bridge or support to ensure these children have protection, access to help, and are supported.
Project Solution
This project is the first in Zimbabwe, a private school and safe homes that is being funded through charitable donations our centre opens its doors to children from extreme vulnerable backgrounds.
We have already challenged large children’s homes with our village model: houses on a secure site run by a house mum with 7 children, offering cooking and family life. We also have schools on-site to offer more support. We are then working to provide more training, resources, and support to help keep children in the community with family when possible.
Impact
Your support fuels a movement to raise a generation in homes, not hallways. As we transition children back into stable family environments, we are re-commissioning extra village space for allied charities and services. This ensures our centers remain a protective hub for the whole community even if children are not living on-site. We maintain high-security emergency spaces for those who need them most while building a future where every child has a permanent family and a place to belong.
Reports
Project Report | Mar 18, 2026
It’s Time to Return Home
By Clive Nyapokoto | Zimbabwe Lead
We’ve been doing a lot of deep thinking lately. As a team, we’ve been looking closely at the global movement to move away from traditional children’s homes. We’ve read the reports and sat with the heartbreaking reality that, globally, these institutions haven’t always been the safe havens they should be. While we are strictly against the institutional models that have failed children elsewhere, we also know that a “one-size-fits-all” recommendation from the West doesn’t always reflect the daily realities we face on the ground here in Zimbabwe.
So, we did what we do best: we educated ourselves, listened to our community, and decided to remodel our approach the right way.
Our flagship village has always been a bit different. With 15 houses, a school, veggie gardens, and two incredible house mothers for every six children, we’ve worked hard to replicate real family life. It’s a model that works, and it works well because it feels like home. But we want to be even better.
Here is where we are going:
We are beginning a huge transition to prioritize keeping children within their own families and communities whenever possible. This is a big shift! It means our staff will be re-training, and we’ll be bringing on more social workers to provide the intense, hands-on support these families need to stay together and thrive.
For our village, we are moving from 15 homes down to 7. These will be dedicated spaces for foster care and the most complex cases where staying with biological family isn’t an option. But those other 8 houses? They aren’t going anywhere they’re being reimagined! Once we raise the funds, we’re turning them into a community hub filled with safe spaces, 1:1 counseling offices, and art therapy rooms. Our village will remain the “heart” of the community—a place for escape, healing, and support for every local child.
This is a massive mountain to climb. It’s going to take time, a lot of heart, and—honestly—more financial support than ever before. We are prioritizing moving away from “big institution” thinking because we agree that every child deserves a family, but we are doing it carefully, realistically, and with our eyes wide open.
Every single child remains our number one priority. We are committed to this challenge and so ready to start this new chapter with you by our sides. It’s going to be a journey, but we know it’s the right one.
Thank you for trusting us to evolve and for sticking with these kids as we build something even stronger together.
With courage and gratitude
______________________________________________________________
Nov 17, 2025
Helping Our Orphanage Transition in Zim
By Caroline | Project Leader
Life in Zimbabwe
Dear Supporters,
The last few months at our orphanage and safe house program in Zimbabwe have been full of change, growth, and exciting new plans for the future.
Last month, we were thrilled to welcome Tyrone, our CEO, along with 12 volunteers from the USA Murph Foundation. Together, we spent several days installing vermicomposting units in each home, giving the children hands-on lessons in sustainable food and independence. We also hosted a community outdoor movie night with the local school. Families paid $5 each, and in one incredible evening, we raised £800!
We’ve also been engaging with the global “Re-think Orphanages” movement, which encourages keeping children safely with families whenever possible. This means that over the next few years, our 15 homes, each housing up to 8 children, will gradually decrease. While some children will continue to need emergency residential care, we are retraining our house mamas and staff to support children and families in the wider community. This is a big shift, but our priority remains unchanged: every child is safe, cared for, and supported.
As part of this transition, we’ve started planning to transform some of our older homes into community centres, music schools, computer labs, social services spaces, and other initiatives for young people, especially those from challenging family backgrounds. With our school on the grounds, this space will continue to be a hub for learning, support, and community activities, even if some homes are no longer residential.
We are still operating 5 to 7 houses for emergency care. Each house has 2 to 3 bedrooms, with 2 to 3 children per room, and is lovingly run by a house mama who has been with us for over ten years. They receive a budget of £60 per child per month to buy food locally and manage the home as if it were their own. The secure complex, including our school and grounds, ensures the children are safe while enjoying a family-like environment.
In other news, we are actively fundraising to install a large community vegetable garden. The total cost is £5,000, and thanks to the movie night and other support, we’ve already raised £1,800. This garden will provide fresh produce for the children and the wider community while teaching valuable skills in gardening, nutrition, and sustainability.
Last weekend, we took all our staff and house mamas on a rejuvenation retreat at a lodge by a nearby lake. Our management team cooked for them and looked after them, giving them a well-deserved break and time to recharge.
This is a big transition for our orphanage, but it’s one that will allow us to support children safely, strengthen families, and open our doors to the wider community. Your generosity makes all of this possible, from emergency care to community events, vegetable gardens, and beyond.
We are also excited to be part of the Action Change Impact Advent Calendar this year. By purchasing your calendar today, starting December 1st, you’ll be supporting 24 amazing projects like ours, spreading hope, care, and impact every day of the season. https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/advent-2025/
Thanks,
C
Jul 23, 2025
African Day Celebrations
By Caroline and Team | Educator
Over the last few months, our orphanage and safe house program in Zimbabwe has continued to be a beacon of hope for children who have lost everything far too young.
These children don’t live in a crowded dormitory or institutional building. Instead, they are embraced into small family-style homes 15 in total each with 6 to 8 children, creating a loving, stable environment that feels like a real home. Here, children cook meals together, help with chores, celebrate birthdays, and grow up with a sense of family and belonging.
Each child also attends a specially designed school nearby. This school doesn’t just teach reading and maths it’s a safe, therapeutic environment that adapts to the unique needs of every child. The teachers know them by name. They are patient with trauma. They cheer the smallest victories.
Over the last three months, the school has been full of life. The children proudly celebrated Africa Day with music, dance, and colourful dress a reminder of their roots, resilience, and joy. One of our cherished sponsors also visited, creating unforgettable memories and showing the children that people around the world care deeply about their future.
Beyond the classroom, we’ve continued nurturing their growth through practical learning and emotional support:
Life skills like gardening and basic cooking give the children independence and pride.
Creative expression through song, art, and play continues to help them process past trauma.
Small fundraisers run by our team and local partners have supported our efforts and reminded the children they are part of something bigger.
The work is far from over but the transformation is real. Every child here is not just surviving; they are beginning to thrive.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Your kindness is helping rewrite the story for every child who calls our village home.
We are giving 225 vulnerable children in Zimbabwe a new life by moving away from cold institutions to family-style homes. Our model provides real houses where children live with a house mum and seven siblings, cooking and growing as a family. With schools on-site, we are able to provide excellent care. We are committed to keeping families together, and so more resources are needed in the community as well.
Shockingly, two in three children in Zimbabwe experience violence or abuse as a child. The UN reports that one in three girls under 18 experience sexual violence, leading to teen pregnancy and early marriage.
Many in care are young survivors of trauma and abuse who require more than just a bed; they need a sanctuary. Current systems are overstretched and often fail, but with a global movement to end children’s homes, there is often no bridge or support to ensure these children have protection, access to help, and are supported.
This project is the first in Zimbabwe, a private school and safe homes that is being funded through charitable donations our centre opens its doors to children from extreme vulnerable backgrounds.
We have already challenged large children’s homes with our village model: houses on a secure site run by a house mum with 7 children, offering cooking and family life. We also have schools on-site to offer more support. We are then working to provide more training, resources, and support to help keep children in the community with family when possible.
Your support fuels a movement to raise a generation in homes, not hallways. As we transition children back into stable family environments, we are re-commissioning extra village space for allied charities and services. This ensures our centers remain a protective hub for the whole community even if children are not living on-site. We maintain high-security emergency spaces for those who need them most while building a future where every child has a permanent family and a place to belong.
Project Report | Mar 18, 2026
It’s Time to Return Home
By Clive Nyapokoto | Zimbabwe Lead
We’ve been doing a lot of deep thinking lately. As a team, we’ve been looking closely at the global movement to move away from traditional children’s homes. We’ve read the reports and sat with the heartbreaking reality that, globally, these institutions haven’t always been the safe havens they should be. While we are strictly against the institutional models that have failed children elsewhere, we also know that a “one-size-fits-all” recommendation from the West doesn’t always reflect the daily realities we face on the ground here in Zimbabwe.
So, we did what we do best: we educated ourselves, listened to our community, and decided to remodel our approach the right way.
Our flagship village has always been a bit different. With 15 houses, a school, veggie gardens, and two incredible house mothers for every six children, we’ve worked hard to replicate real family life. It’s a model that works, and it works well because it feels like home. But we want to be even better.
Here is where we are going:
We are beginning a huge transition to prioritize keeping children within their own families and communities whenever possible. This is a big shift! It means our staff will be re-training, and we’ll be bringing on more social workers to provide the intense, hands-on support these families need to stay together and thrive.
For our village, we are moving from 15 homes down to 7. These will be dedicated spaces for foster care and the most complex cases where staying with biological family isn’t an option. But those other 8 houses? They aren’t going anywhere they’re being reimagined! Once we raise the funds, we’re turning them into a community hub filled with safe spaces, 1:1 counseling offices, and art therapy rooms. Our village will remain the “heart” of the community—a place for escape, healing, and support for every local child.
This is a massive mountain to climb. It’s going to take time, a lot of heart, and—honestly—more financial support than ever before. We are prioritizing moving away from “big institution” thinking because we agree that every child deserves a family, but we are doing it carefully, realistically, and with our eyes wide open.
Every single child remains our number one priority. We are committed to this challenge and so ready to start this new chapter with you by our sides. It’s going to be a journey, but we know it’s the right one.
Thank you for trusting us to evolve and for sticking with these kids as we build something even stronger together.
With courage and gratitude
______________________________________________________________
Nov 17, 2025
Helping Our Orphanage Transition in Zim
By Caroline | Project Leader
Life in Zimbabwe
Dear Supporters,
The last few months at our orphanage and safe house program in Zimbabwe have been full of change, growth, and exciting new plans for the future.
Last month, we were thrilled to welcome Tyrone, our CEO, along with 12 volunteers from the USA Murph Foundation. Together, we spent several days installing vermicomposting units in each home, giving the children hands-on lessons in sustainable food and independence. We also hosted a community outdoor movie night with the local school. Families paid $5 each, and in one incredible evening, we raised £800!
We’ve also been engaging with the global “Re-think Orphanages” movement, which encourages keeping children safely with families whenever possible. This means that over the next few years, our 15 homes, each housing up to 8 children, will gradually decrease. While some children will continue to need emergency residential care, we are retraining our house mamas and staff to support children and families in the wider community. This is a big shift, but our priority remains unchanged: every child is safe, cared for, and supported.
As part of this transition, we’ve started planning to transform some of our older homes into community centres, music schools, computer labs, social services spaces, and other initiatives for young people, especially those from challenging family backgrounds. With our school on the grounds, this space will continue to be a hub for learning, support, and community activities, even if some homes are no longer residential.
We are still operating 5 to 7 houses for emergency care. Each house has 2 to 3 bedrooms, with 2 to 3 children per room, and is lovingly run by a house mama who has been with us for over ten years. They receive a budget of £60 per child per month to buy food locally and manage the home as if it were their own. The secure complex, including our school and grounds, ensures the children are safe while enjoying a family-like environment.
In other news, we are actively fundraising to install a large community vegetable garden. The total cost is £5,000, and thanks to the movie night and other support, we’ve already raised £1,800. This garden will provide fresh produce for the children and the wider community while teaching valuable skills in gardening, nutrition, and sustainability.
Last weekend, we took all our staff and house mamas on a rejuvenation retreat at a lodge by a nearby lake. Our management team cooked for them and looked after them, giving them a well-deserved break and time to recharge.
This is a big transition for our orphanage, but it’s one that will allow us to support children safely, strengthen families, and open our doors to the wider community. Your generosity makes all of this possible, from emergency care to community events, vegetable gardens, and beyond.
We are also excited to be part of the Action Change Impact Advent Calendar this year. By purchasing your calendar today, starting December 1st, you’ll be supporting 24 amazing projects like ours, spreading hope, care, and impact every day of the season. https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/advent-2025/
Thanks,
C
Jul 23, 2025
African Day Celebrations
By Caroline and Team | Educator
Over the last few months, our orphanage and safe house program in Zimbabwe has continued to be a beacon of hope for children who have lost everything far too young.
These children don’t live in a crowded dormitory or institutional building. Instead, they are embraced into small family-style homes 15 in total each with 6 to 8 children, creating a loving, stable environment that feels like a real home. Here, children cook meals together, help with chores, celebrate birthdays, and grow up with a sense of family and belonging.
Each child also attends a specially designed school nearby. This school doesn’t just teach reading and maths it’s a safe, therapeutic environment that adapts to the unique needs of every child. The teachers know them by name. They are patient with trauma. They cheer the smallest victories.
Over the last three months, the school has been full of life. The children proudly celebrated Africa Day with music, dance, and colourful dress a reminder of their roots, resilience, and joy. One of our cherished sponsors also visited, creating unforgettable memories and showing the children that people around the world care deeply about their future.
Beyond the classroom, we’ve continued nurturing their growth through practical learning and emotional support:
Life skills like gardening and basic cooking give the children independence and pride.
Creative expression through song, art, and play continues to help them process past trauma.
Small fundraisers run by our team and local partners have supported our efforts and reminded the children they are part of something bigger.
The work is far from over but the transformation is real. Every child here is not just surviving; they are beginning to thrive.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Your kindness is helping rewrite the story for every child who calls our village home.
Related posts
- Community Development ·