by dapp | Mar 4, 2024 | Blog, News
Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) Zimbabwe is proud to announce a transformative partnership with the Swiss Academy for Development (SA4D) to launch a comprehensive three-year project focused on empowering disadvantaged youth in Shamva District The joint effort, named “Green Paths for You(th) and the Climate,” aims to empower 300 disadvantaged young people aged 15-24 over a 34-month period starting from March 1, 2024.
At the core of our project is the goal of equipping young people with vital skills in sustainable, climate-smart agriculture to improve food security, nutrition, and income stability. Through targeted technical and practical training sessions, participants will gain practical knowledge and hands-on experience in agricultural practices that prioritize environmental sustainability.
Beyond technical skills, we recognize the importance of enhancing employability and life skills among youth. To achieve this, our project integrates innovative sport and play-based sessions that impart agri-entrepreneurship knowledge and general life skills. By combining practical training with ongoing mentorship, coaching, and provision of start-up tools, we aim to empower participants to embark on successful economic ventures.
A central aspect of our project is the commitment to addressing mental health challenges and combating alcohol, drug, and substance abuse among young people. By fostering awareness and providing support, we seek to promote healthier lifestyles and cultivate a more engaged and resilient youth population in Shamva District.
DAPP Zimbabwe is also focused on enhancing our organizational capacities through this partnership. Our dedicated local staff and community members will receive specialized training on SA4D’s sport and play-based approach, enhancing our ability to integrate these methodologies into our broader development activities. This capacity-building initiative will strengthen our impact and visibility, particularly in the field of “Sport for Development.”
As we embark on this journey, we recognize that the project’s impact extends far beyond our direct participants. Planned awareness-raising activities and community engagement events will benefit the broader project area, fostering sustainable and inclusive development across Shamva District. With 300 young people set to benefit directly from our training sessions and community initiatives, DAPP Zimbabwe is excited to be at the forefront of positive change. Together with SA4D, we are committed to building a brighter future for disadvantaged youth and their communities, creating pathways to sustainable employment and improved well-being.
by dapp | Jun 9, 2022 | Blog, News
We are excited and proud to release our Development Aid from People to People Report 2021.
The report highlights the work and results of our collective efforts as we pursue our mission of implementing the most needed projects, identified through community engagements with the people. In 2021 Development Aid from People to People reached more than 150,000 people through 12 development projects within Health, Agriculture, Education, Community Development and Emergencies, in Mashonaland Central, Manicaland and Masvingo provinces.
We take this opportunity to extend a big THANK YOU to different sectors, including the Government of Zimbabwe, the private sector, embassies, communities as well as individuals who supported the work of enhancing people’s capacities through quality community led projects.
Development Aid from People to People Report 2021.
by dapp | Mar 24, 2022 | Blog, News
As Humana People to People and its members mark World Tuberculosis Day, we are spotlighting the work of our Total Control of TB Program. The model delivers health services directly to hard-to-reach people, whether in the cities or rural areas.
Part of our programme model is to meet people at their doorstep with information about TB, provide them with the opportunity to receive TB screening, collect samples and deliver them to the laboratories for analysis.
This helps us treat people as early as possible and improves the provision of quality TB services and treatment achievement rates.
Humana People to People is implementing Total Control of TB Programs in Angola, Mozambique, Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea Bissau, Zimbabwe and Laos. Most of the programs are targeting early TB detection, referral for TB treatment, support for adherence treatment and care.
Several of the TB programs integrate creation of community network support linkages with health centres and investment in modern scientific equipment which help to detect resistant TB including Multi-Drug Resistant TB at local clinics and district hospitals.
Humana People to People is supporting the theme – “Invest to End TB. Save Lives” which conveys the urgency to invest in the provision of resources required to improve the fight against TB and achieve the commitments to end TB made by global leaders.
Talking about the progress of TB programs, Snorre Westgaard, Chairperson of Humana People to People said:
“Now more than ever, the world needs programmes that have been tried and tested in communities in Africa and Asia. The race to end the TB epidemic belongs to everyone, and the centre of our TB response program shows the success of models that are community-driven, people-centred and offer locally-led results.
“We put resources into the human capacity building – healthcare professionals and community project activists, infrastructure investment in advanced TB diagnostic machinery at local clinics and district hospitals, and creating synergies between communities and health institutions.”
by dapp | Mar 10, 2022 | Blog, News
Ponesai Vanhu Technical College (PVTC) – a Development Aid from people to People DAPP Zimbabwe project in partnership with Chaminuka Training Center (CHAMTEC) and Leonard Cheshire Disability Zimbabwe (LCDZ) conferred 351 students with Bindura University recognized certificates at a colorful ceremony held at PVTC in Shamva.
The 351 graduates, (180 males, 171females and 43 youths with disabilities) from disadvantaged backgrounds completed short term courses under the TVET for All Through Public-Private Partnership in Zimbabwe project funded by Vet toolbox; Co-funded by the European union and the German cooperation.
In a speech read on her behalf at the close-out and graduation ceremony, Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation Honorable Kirsty Coventry said, partnerships in education and training are vital for economic and social development. “Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in skills development are a crucial vehicle for human development and it is encouraging to see the participation of business enterprises through work-based learning for the students”
She applauded DAPP and its partners for paying attention to gender equality and learners with disabilities through the 50% women 15% disability recruitment quarters. “I am happy to see inclusivity in the form of infrastructure and training tools adaptation at both institutions to accommodate students with disabilities as well as recruitment of young women”
Young women graduate under the TVET for all program
Speaking on the same occasion, DAPP Zimbabwe Chairman Charles Mutizira reiterated DAPP’s support to Governments’ Human Capital Development initiatives through offering access to affordable quality technical and vocational skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship “DAPP Zimbabwe remain committed supporting the Government’s efforts to achieving sustainable development Goal 4 of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all”
Minister Of State For Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs And Devolution Honourable Monicah Mavhunga also commended DAPP and its Partners for awarding start up kits to 50 outstanding students saying it will help kick start their economic activities. “These business start-up kits will give disadvantaged youths an opportunity to start their businesses and contribute to national development ‘
Project beneficiaries expressed their gratitude and hope for the future saying the skills acquired will allow them to meaningfully contribute to their communities. Motor Mechanics graduate Lisa Madzikova said “As a young woman, I have broken through barriers and I have gained the skills I have acquired are the key to unlocking my future through self-employment . The start-up kit will boost my business “
Munashe Nyamutukwa, a young person living with a disability acknowledges that though the rate of youth unemployment is high in Zimbabwe, it is higher for persons with disabilities who lack skills training. “I appreciate that the TVET for all program catered for persons with disabilities through the provision of sign language interpreters, adaptable training materials and accessible workshops for physically disabled. Such provisions made it easier for us to attain the vocational skills which are appropriate to the local labor market”
The (TVET) for All through public-private partnerships in Zimbabwe began in November 2019- February 2022 to strengthen skills development systems that improve employability, promote access to employment opportunities and increase incomes for inclusive and sustainable growth for all young women and young men. The project’s main objective was to improve completion of vocational education and training and transition into the labour market among disadvantaged and vulnerable youth in the Shamva and Bindura Districts of Zimbabwe.
The project was implemented with DAPP as the lead Partner, and Chaminuka Vocational Training Center and Leonard Cheshire Disability Zimbabwe as co-applicants, Bindura University of Science Education and Higher Life Foundation as Associates. The project awarded scholarships to 437 youth from disadvantaged backgrounds
by dapp | Feb 25, 2022 | Blog, News
To contribute to the health, wellbeing, and economic empowerment of women living with HIV, Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) in Zimbabwe with funding from the U.S. Embassy Harare, through the PEPFAR Small Grants Fund is implementing a “Sustaining the Health, Wellbeing, and Economic Resilience of Women Living with HIV/AIDS” project in Bindura district.
Awarded in September 2021, the 12-month project is building the capacities of 70 members of Tariro Support group (60 women and 10 men) through training in professional sewing, entrepreneurship, market linkages, hygiene and nutrition, sexual reproductive health and rights, HIV, TB, and COVID19 prevention among other initiatives.
Through the U.S. Embassy Harare grant, Tariro Support group purchased two industrial sewing machines, two over-locking machines, two embroidery machines, sewing garments, and accessories. Leveraging on its community linkages, DAPP Zimbabwe secured a sewing working room at a local primary school and engaged Fashion and Fabrics teachers from neighboring schools (Murembe, Chireka and Muchapondwa) to facilitate the professional training.
Figure 1: Sairodia Muchenje, project beneficiary sewing a garment.
Sairodia Muchenje (49), one of the beneficiaries from ward 13 of Mazarura village in Bindura district views the reskilling and entrepreneurship training as a timely intervention to unlock value for families: “This intervention comes at a time when most group members have been struggling to make ends meet due to the harsh economic environment and COVID19 lockdowns. I used to grow vegetables and sell locally but due to lockdowns and a flooded market, my income declined, and I could barely feed my family. The sewing and business management training is something that will add value to us as individuals and as a group and allow us to start income generation for the benefit of our families and community. So far, we have already started learning the basics from threading and pattern cutting and with time we will be able to sew face masks, reusable sanitary wear, and uniforms that can compete with other products on the market.”
DAPP Zimbabwe Country Director Luckson Soda acknowledges COVID19 has had a major impact on the livelihoods of many Zimbabweans especially women living with HIV: “COVID19 has seen increased pressure on families and women bear the brunt of HIV as victims, care givers, and breadwinners. Through the U.S. Embassy Harare project, we anticipate real value in economic strengthening to increase household income, promote healthy lifestyles, positive living, and wellbeing of the Manhenga community in Bindura district. The project will also provide accurate information, education, and awareness on HIV, TB, and COVID19 to the beneficiaries, their families, and the community at large.”
The “Sustaining the Health, Wellbeing, and Economic Resilience of Women Living with HIV/AIDS”, project in Bindura district is funded by the U.S. Embassy Harare through the PEPFAR Small Grants Fund to improve the economic and social conditions of women living with HIV/AIDS at the local level. The project will directly benefit 70 people living with HIV/AIDS and 350 people indirectly through September 2022.
