About
Us
Chiedza
Child Care Centre was founded in Harare, Zimbabwe in August
2001 by a group of concerned professionals, academics
and business people in response to the
escalating need to practical help for disadvantaged children
in our society. Situated in Ardbennie, on the outskirts
of the city of Harare,
the Centre aims to provide a caring home for vulnerable children
and to assist the carers of children in dire circumstances
in the community with immediate needs while empowering them
through income generating projects.
The
name “Chiedza” derives
from the Shona name meaning light – appropriately
underlining the positive philosophy and objectives which
drive this project in the
face of the daunting challenges of HIV/AIDS and poverty caused
by deteriorated economic circumstances in Zimbabwe in the
past few years.
Background to the problem
The HIV/AIDS pandemic has wracked havoc in many communities, particularly those
who are economically stressed. Many young parents are dying leaving their
children in the care of destitute and aging grandparents who have meager
or no resourses at their disposal. But traditional care systems, based on
the extended family are disintergrating in the face of economic hardships,
urbanization and other changes, making children all the more vulnerable.
In Zimbabwe there are approximately 800 000 orphans, a number which is expected
to increase to 1 million by 2005. Institutionalizing such a vast number of
need children is quite unsustainable, so recent efforts have been focused
on encouraging extended family support where it is available but this becomes
difficult in the case of children with HIV/AIDS, chronic illnesses or disabilities.
Many of them have no means of care and support at all.
Objectives
Chiedza Child Care Centre has the following broad objectives:
• To
provide a caring home for orphans and children in difficult
circumstances,
(including those infected by
HIV/AIDS, chronic illnesses and disabilities).
• To establish a home-based care program for children in difficult
circumstances (including those infected by HIV/AIDS, chronic
illnesses and disabilities)
• To co-operate with other resource centres in implementing
self help projects for orphans.
Mission Statement
The mission for Chiedza Child Care Centre is to support and care for vulnerable
children in Zimbabwe. To this end the Centre has tailored programmes which
involve caregivers, youths and children detailed below:
1)
Women Support Group
- The main focus of this group is to instill
strong care giving and parenting skills
- Other activities of this group are income generating projects like sewing
and knitting
- Information sharing is encouraged for the benefit of all in the group
2)
After Schools Programme
- Youths come to the centre to study and research
from the centre’s
library
- Individual counseling done to the youths
3) Outreach Programme
- The outreach team carries out home
visits with the main focus being individual counseling
- Food distribution is done by the outreach team
- School fees, school wear and clothing for vulnerable children enabled
in this programme
4) Clinic
-Volunteer doctors conduct health checks on children and
caregivers wherever necessary
5) Playgroup
-
Nursery school for under fives
6) Youths Skills Programme
- Computer literacy training and counseling are
core focus of group
- Sports and general skills
7) Herbal Gardens
-Training in the establishment of herbal and nutritional
gardens for families under Chiedza
Vision
To be an efficient, caring and socially responsible provider and supporter
of vulnerable children in Zimbabwe.
