351 students graduate under the TVET for all program

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

Economic empowerment of women living with HIV in Bindura District

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.

DAPP Zimbabwe receives SGS NGO Benchmarking Certificate

by dapp | Jan 20, 2022 | Blog, News

We are delighted to share that DAPP ZIMBABWE has received the SGS NGO Benchmarking Certification on 12 December 2021. We owe the endorsement to our commitment to adhering to the highest standards of accountability, transparency, good governance and compliance with international best practices.
The SGS NGO Benchmarking Certificate recognizes an organization based on their assessments in 99 objectively verifiable indicators

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company which has developed the NGO Benchmarking certification audit to provide a universal ‘trust standard’ for NGOs globally.