Give education. Give opportunity. Give a future.
Sponsor a child
For some children in rural Zimbabwe, going to school is not a given. Poverty, difficult family circumstances and the inability to pay school fees can stand between a child and their education.
Through our Sponsor a Child programme, we support selected children at Chamukwenjera Primary School in Chivhu, Zimbabwe, by covering the costs that enable them to attend school.
For approximately €150 a year, you can help give one child a full year of education.
Why this matters
The children in this programme have been identified by the school because they are facing difficult circumstances and need financial support to remain in education.
They are not simply numbers on a list.
Each child has their own story, their own talents and their own dreams for the future.
We have visited the children and their families personally. We know their circumstances and, wherever possible, we want to follow their progress over the years.
Our aim is simple: to remove the financial barrier that prevents these children from getting the education they deserve.
Meet the children
Prince Mupaiki
Determined, responsible and ambitious. Prince dreams of becoming a teacher or a soldier. [Read Prince’s story →]
Irene Chibaya
A promising student who continues to perform well despite very difficult circumstances. [Read Irene’s story →]
Talent Muzuva
A brilliant young student who dreams of becoming a pilot. Despite carrying significant responsibilities at home, she continues to rank among the top five in her class. [Read Talent’s story →]
Shantel Mugwagwa
Only seven and just beginning her school journey. We want to make sure that financial hardship does not prevent her from discovering what she can achieve. [Read Shantel’s story →]
Tadiwa Svibe
A boy who has struggled at school and had to repeat several years, but he keeps showing up. Supported by a determined mother and a dream of becoming a lorry driver. [Read Tadiwa’s story →]
How does it work
1. Choose a child
Choose one of the children featured in our programme. Each child has been selected by Chamukwenjera Primary School based on their circumstances and need for support.
2. Sponsor their education
The cost of supporting a child is currently US$165 per school year. This covers:
- School fees for 3 terms (US$ 40 per term)
- School uniform (US$ 15)
- Sportswear (US$ 20)
- Exercise books (US$ 10)
That is approximately €150 per year, depending on the exchange rate.
3. Choose how you pay
You can pay annually ( US$165 for the full school year) or per school term ( US$55 per term). The school year consists of three terms.
4. Your payment goes directly towards the child’s education
Your sponsorship payment is made to the Friends of Zimbabwe bank account. We then transfer the full school sponsorship amount directly to the Chamukwenjera Primary School bank account on behalf of the sponsored child.
The school provides us with an official payment receipt, which we keep as proof that the payment has been received by the school. We share this proof of payment with the sponsor, so you can see that your contribution has reached the school.
5. The school takes care of the practical arrangements
The school coordinates the payment of the school fees and arranges the school uniform, sportswear and exercise books. This means the support reaches the child through the school in a practical and transparent way.
Follow-up and transparency
Sponsoring a child is not simply about making a payment.
We want to know how the child is doing.
At least once a year, Prince Matizha, Chairman of Friends of Zimbabwe, visits the school and the sponsored children personally. He speaks with the school and visits the children to see how they are progressing.
Sponsors will receive at least one update each year about the child’s progress.
Where possible, these updates can include information about:
- school performance
- attendance and progress
- the child’s development
- their interests and ambitions
- their general circumstances
This allows us to keep the connection between the sponsor, the child and the school personal and meaningful.
Want to do more?
The school sponsorship covers the child’s education package described above. Sometimes a sponsor may wish to provide additional support for a child, for example because of a specific need or circumstance.
Any additional support is not automatically part of the sponsorship programme. It can be discussed separately with one of the Friends of Zimbabwe board members.
We will always consider such requests on an individual basis and in consultation with the school and the child’s circumstances.