Zimkids
Zimkids mission is to equip beneficiary orphans in Zimbabwe with the skills and drive to move from unemployment and dependency to self-reliant futures through which they can help build their communities.
Zimkids provides 300+ orphans in Pumula North, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe with educational opportunities, skills training, medical care, food, and recreational activities. There are no paid foreign staff, and all but two of the local employees are former beneficiaries. Day-to-day operations are largely self-funded based on proceeds from vocational training programs in welding, sewing and construction. Individual donors and grants pay for special projects that include schoolbooks, outreach activities, medical aid, and building operations.
Julie Tazzia
P&G Alumni Grant Champion
Julie Tazzia
20 years in US Sales
Julie has been involved with the Zimkids Orphan Trust since 2010 and currently serves on its Board. She has organized multiple fundraising events and provides marketing support. Zimkids’ motto is, “Built By Orphans, Run By Orphans, For Orphans.”
“Zimkids creates a better life for the poorest children, teens, and young adult orphans in Pumala North, Zimbabwe. Zimkids not only helps to build a better life now, but it also provides its beneficiary orphans the tools and opportunities they need to build a better future. They teach marketable skills like welding, construction, and electrical engineering to both boys and girls.” ~Julie Tazzia
Zimbabwe ranks second on the index of the most impoverished countries in the world. Inflation is above 90 percent. Most reliable statistics estimate unemployment to be at 90 to 95 percent. Per capita income is $600, the third lowest in the world. There are no professionals in their communities and only a small percentage of adults have graduated from high school. Education is not seen as a way “out” or “up”. Dependence is deep and acceptable.
The need is to provide young people with strategies that allow them to evade this trap and gain the skills and education that allow them to find employment or create sustainable businesses. We anticipate that the success of the 29 students in our scholarship program will encourage our younger beneficiaries to take education more seriously as a path to building their futures.
The $15,000 grant will support scholarships for 29 students pursuing education programs ranging from advanced high school degrees, vocational certificates in the automotive, mechanical and electrical trades and collegiate/graduate degrees in nursing, engineering, medicine and business. All of those trained will find jobs and, significantly, through their example impact countless others.
“Everything Became Better with Zimkids”
“In 2005, my two little brothers and I joined Zimkids Orphan Trust. The organization changed our lives. Meeting and spending time with other kids in the same situation as me made me see that l wasn’t the only child who experienced traumatic moments.”
“Zimkids again came to our rescue. In 2011 we started building what became the Zimkids Center; l was the only girl on the crew. It was tough and fun as I gained new skills in building, plastering, welding and paving. In 2013 Zimkids sent me to study Counseling and I gained a certificate to practice. In 2015, the organization paid my fees for an Early Childhood Development course, fulfilling my dream of becoming a teacher in the Zimkids Pre-School.” Sithabisiwe, Zimkids graduate & pre-school teacher