ZPHCA

Author: Tanatswa Mukwacha

  • ZPHCA making Great Strides in Building Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Building in Harare Province, Zimbabwe.

    ZPHCA making Great Strides in Building Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Building in Harare Province, Zimbabwe.

    Families of Children with Disabilities are not spared from the adverse Impacts of Climate Change. Outside poverty, climate change remain the most significant challenge children with disabilities and their families are facing in urban and rural areas across the greater Harare Province. The majority of children with disabilities are on permanent medication depending on the severity of their disabilities and disability types. Routine medication uptake requires complimentary nutritional food otherwise medication becomes harmful. In addition, some children with disabilities require special diet meals, thus brining additional costs to the family. The majority of the families of children with disabilities are poor and lack household’s assets, livestock’s and diversified sources of income to fall back on in the wake of climate change induced droughts. Working with over 400 children with disabilities and their families in Harare Province, Zimbabwe Parents of Handicapped Children’s Association (ZPHCA) initiated Climate Change Local Led Adaptation Projects for the benefit of over 230 families of children with disabilities in Harare Province. Families of children with disabilities were mobilised through their established 10 Parental Support Groups of caregivers of children with disabilities and were supported to initiate their preferred Climate Change Livelihoods Project. ZPHCA organise training workshops for the livelihood project group members covering key concepts such as livelihoods projects management, local resources mobilisation, marketing and entrepreneurship and value addition practical training. In addition, support group members were given the opportunity to visit other successful climate change livelihoods projects undertaken by other organization as part of increasing their knowledge, information, skills and expertise in livelihoods projects management.

    After capacitating the Livelihoods Projects Groups, ZPHCA procured and distributed inputs and small working tools to support the established livelihoods projects groups. To date, 10 Climate Change Livelihoods Support Groups have been established in communities such as Mbare, Tanaka, Retreat, Epworth, Mabvuku, St Mary’s, Dzivaresekwa, Hopely, Mufakosi and Seke. The groups were supported with vegetable seeds, organic manure, day old chicks, peanut butter making machines, peanuts, packaging materials, water harvesting equipment and poultry feeds amongst other support facilities. Amongst other project implemented includes organic gardening, kitchen garden, broiler production, vegetable and fruit drying, layers production, indigenous chicken, peanut butter making and mauyu coffee making projects.

    The climate change livelihoods projects have gone a long way in improving food security and income security for over 230 families of children with disabilities. Group members are able to sale their proceeds to the local markets and share the profits while a portion of the sales revenue is re-invested back into the project for continuity and sustainability. Nutritional security for children with disabilities has significantly improved as group members are also sharing their produce for family consumption. Group members are gaining new livelihoods project management skills awhile other are now replicating the knowledge and experience gained by initiating their own family projects. The livelihoods projects have improved household income while also improving availability of food products at community level thus making a contribution towards local economic performance.


    Livelihood Project Group Leaders receives inputs after attending a Gardening training workshop in Harare (ZPHCA, 2026)

     


    Mbare Livelihood Group Members working on their Garden (ZPHCA, 2026)

     


    ZPHCA Livelihoods Projects members showcasing their Projects Produce during a Peer Exchange Project at Waterfalls Hall (ZPHCA, 2026)

  • “My Albinism Does Not Define Me” – Sibonginkosi’s Story of Confidence and Advocacy

    “My Albinism Does Not Define Me” – Sibonginkosi’s Story of Confidence and Advocacy

    At just 21 years old, Sibonginkosi Moyo has transformed her pain into purpose, becoming a confident advocacy champion for persons with albinism in Bulawayo. Growing up as an orphan raised by her grandmother, Sibonginkosi lived a lonely life shaped by stigma and discrimination. She recalls being called hurtful names and excluded by other children who were told she would “contaminate” them because of her albinism.

    After the passing of her grandmother, Sibonginkosi moved in with her aunt, who later joined a Parent-to-Parent Support Group facilitated by ZPHCA. Through disability rights and positive parenting trainings, her aunt’s understanding of disability began to change. This support eventually connected Sibonginkosi to advocacy and leadership training opportunities for youth with disabilities.

    Today, Sibonginkosi describes herself as confident, informed, and empowered. She is actively involved in advocating for the rights of persons with albinism and mobilising sunscreen lotions from local companies to support children living with albinism. She also conducts monthly awareness talks at her local church to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion within communities.

    Her leadership continues to grow, with recognition from different stakeholders in Bulawayo and participation in national advocacy platforms for youth with disabilities.

    Sibonginkosi’s story is a powerful reminder that inclusion, support, and opportunity can help young people with disabilities reclaim their voice, build confidence, and become changemakers in their communities.

  • Finding Joy and Belonging: David’s Journey to the Classroom

    Finding Joy and Belonging: David’s Journey to the Classroom

    For six-year-old David Mnikwa, school once felt like a frightening and unfamiliar place. Living with Down Syndrome, David spent most of his early years isolated at home while other children attended school. When he was first enrolled at Dumezweni Primary School’s Stimulation Class, he struggled to adjust, often crying throughout the day and keeping to himself.

    David’s mother was initially hesitant about sending him to school because she feared he would face bullying and stigma due to his disability. However, after joining a Parent-to-Parent Support Group facilitated by ZPHCA, she received peer support and counselling that helped her gain confidence and believe in her son’s potential.

    Following psychological assessments and collaboration between education, health, and social welfare stakeholders, an Educational Plan was developed to guide David’s learning journey. With support from the school, community stakeholders, and ZPHCA, David was enrolled into the stimulation class where he began interacting with peers and participating in learning activities.

    Over time, David’s confidence began to grow. He started sharing toys, playing with classmates, and expressing himself more freely in class. Today, David enjoys school so much that even on weekends he wakes up wanting to go to school.

    His journey reflects the importance of inclusive education, family support, and community-driven interventions in creating spaces where children with disabilities can thrive, learn, and belong

  • AUDREY MBIRIMI SUCCESSS STORY

    AUDREY MBIRIMI SUCCESSS STORY

    Audrey is a young girl aged 23 doing here Secondary teaching Diploma at Hillside Teachers College under the  University of Zimbabwe (UZ).She has been doing her teaching practice at Montrose Girls High School were she was teaching English and Geography. Next year she will be going back to the college to finish her diploma of which upon finishing she intends to continue with a degree in teaching.

    Audrey is visually Impaired and since she started her schooling journey, she has been using Braille  until she wrote here Advance level were she got 13 points . She stayed at home for almost two years due to financial constraints by the family. She was trained on Advocacy training  and after she engaged the Bulawayo Fort Street DSD  about her intentions to further here studies. They assisted her in acquiring a place for teaching in 2023 and all here fees were paid by the Disability fund of Government of Zimbabwe. Audrey  has successfully  achieved some medals in sports as well at the college . She has participated in the  Danhiko Paralypics Games were she participated in Discuss , shotput and javelin and she got a  Bronze medal in  Javelin. She also attended the ZITSU (  Zimbabwe  Tertiary Sport Union) Games  were she got  two gold medals  in shotput and one silver medal in Five aside  balls,the other gold medal was ana Honorary medal for  all games.

    Personally she has  built herself esteem  well ,physically and economically . Meeting different characters in school children has built her confidence well such that she can take up any challenge  and overcome it. She has also enjoyed the freedom of economic dependance during here teaching practice . ALL this come from just two day training of Advocacy training she attended and the  more success are yet to be achieved .

  • Developing the ZPHCA 2026–2030 Strategic Plan

    Developing the ZPHCA 2026–2030 Strategic Plan

    Zimbabwe Parents of Handicapped Children’s Association (ZPHCA) convened a strategic planning workshop on the 15th and 16th of December 2025 in Harare, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders to shape the organisation’s future direction.

    The two-day workshop was attended byparticipants, including ZPHCA Board Members, Senior Management, Field Officers, Volunteers, Government Representatives, youth with disabilities, and other key stakeholders. The inclusive nature of the workshop ensured that different voices, experiences, and perspectives were represented in shaping the organisation’s strategy.

    A key highlight of the process was the active participation of youth with disabilities, whose contributions ensured that the strategic plan reflects the lived realities, priorities, and aspirations of beneficiaries. Their involvement strengthened the relevance of the planning process and reinforced the importance of inclusive decision-making within the organisation.

    The workshop focused on three main objectives:

    • To collectively develop a 5-year organisational strategic plan and action framework
    • To gather views from beneficiaries, staff, and stakeholders
    • To develop a strategic plan for the period 2026–2030 aligned with national and global development frameworks

    The planning process was guided by key national and organisational documents, ensuring that the strategy is grounded in existing policies, legal frameworks, and institutional learning.

    Through collaborative discussions, group work, and stakeholder engagement, participants worked towards a shared vision for the organisation, identifying priorities that will guide ZPHCA’s work over the next five years. The process not only strengthened internal alignment but also enhanced ownership of the strategy among stakeholders.

    The outcome of the workshop was the development of a draft ZPHCA 5-Year Strategic Plan, which is set to be validated and adopted by the ZPHCA Board during the first quarter meeting of 2026.

    The development of the ZPHCA 2026–2030 Strategic Plan marks an important step towards strengthening the organisation’s impact, ensuring that its programmes remain responsive, inclusive, and aligned to the needs of children and youth with disabilities.

  • National Advocacy during the International Day for Persons with Disabilities

    National Advocacy during the International Day for Persons with Disabilities

    Zimbabwe Parents of Handicapped Children’s Association (ZPHCA) participated in the national commemorations of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) held at Jerera Primary School in Zaka on 3 December 2025. The event brought together various stakeholders, organisations of persons with disabilities, government representatives, and community members to reflect on progress made towards disability inclusion and to advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities.

    As part of the commemorations, ZPHCA ensured that children and youth with intellectual disabilities were actively represented at the national platform. A total of 10 children and youth with different forms of disabilities participated in the event, providing them with a valuable opportunity to engage with national leaders and share their experiences.

    The participation of children and youth with disabilities was particularly significant as it strengthened their confidence, leadership, and advocacy skills. By taking part in national advocacy processes, the young participants were empowered to speak about issues that directly affect their lives, including access to inclusive education, social services, and community support.

    During the event, the children and youth with disabilities developed a youth and child-friendly advocacy position paper highlighting key issues affecting persons with disabilities. The document captured their voices, experiences, and priorities, ensuring that the concerns of young people with disabilities are heard at decision-making levels.

    The advocacy position papers were presented to key national leaders and representatives including Honourable Senator Annah Shiri, Honourable Senator Ishmael Zhou, who represents persons with disabilities in Parliament, Mr. Zimhunga, Acting Chief Director in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, and Ms. Mercy Maunganidze, Chairperson of the National Disability Board.

    These engagements created an important platform for direct dialogue between young people with disabilities and policymakers, allowing leaders to hear firsthand the challenges faced by children and youth with disabilities in their communities.

    In addition to advocacy activities, youth with disabilities also participated in exhibitions during the commemorations where they showcased innovative and entrepreneurial products. The exhibition demonstrated the talents, creativity, and capabilities of young people with disabilities, challenging negative stereotypes and promoting greater acceptance within communities.

    The participation of ZPHCA and the young people in the national commemorations contributed to raising awareness on disability rights, promoting inclusion, and strengthening community understanding of the abilities and potential of persons with disabilities. It also highlighted the importance of ensuring that children and youth with disabilities are included in national conversations and decision-making processes that affect their lives.

    Through such advocacy platforms, ZPHCA continues to promote the meaningful participation of children and youth with intellectual disabilities, ensuring that their voices are recognised and their rights are protected within communities and at national level.

  • The role played by traditional leaders in allocating land, water and other locally available resources required by Grassroots Women

    The role played by traditional leaders in allocating land, water and other locally available resources required by Grassroots Women

    Traditional leaders have played an essential and transformative role in supporting the grassroots women’s resilience-building livelihoods projects by facilitating access to critical resources. In many rural and marginalized communities, traditional leaders hold significant influence over the management and distribution of communal resources such as land, water, and other locally available assets. Their involvement is instrumental in helping grassroots women establish and sustain livelihoods that counter the negative impacts of climate change, poverty, and economic exploitation.

    Allocation of Land
    Land access is fundamental for agricultural projects like market gardening and small-scale farming. In many traditional communities, land rights are often controlled or influenced by local chiefs and traditional authorities. By allocating land to grassroots women, these leaders ensure that women have the space to cultivate crops, raise livestock, and initiate other projects essential for food production and income generation. Without this land, many women would struggle to grow food for their families or to participate in market-based agriculture, further exacerbating hunger and malnutrition.

    Access to Water Resources
    Water access is another vital resource, especially in areas affected by climate change where droughts and unpredictable rainfall are increasingly common. Traditional leaders, who often manage local water sources such as rivers, wells, or communal water systems, play a key role in granting women access to these resources for irrigation and livestock production. This ensures the sustainability of agricultural projects and helps communities become more resilient to climate-related water shortages.

    Mobilization of Local Resources
    Traditional leaders not only provide land and water but also help mobilize other locally available resources such as seeds, agricultural tools, building materials for storage facilities, and even labor from the community. Their support creates an enabling environment for grassroots women to efficiently carry out their livelihood’s projects. By ensuring the community’s involvement and backing, traditional leaders strengthen the collective effort to fight climate-induced hardships, making the projects more sustainable and impactful.

    Promotion of Social Cohesion and Support
    Traditional leaders play a crucial role in fostering community cohesion and support for the women’s initiatives. In rural societies, these leaders hold the respect and authority needed to encourage community members to work together, offer assistance, and respect the rights of women. This support helps grassroots women overcome societal barriers, especially in male-dominated cultures where women may face discrimination or exclusion from resource access and decision-making processes.

    Empowerment and Legitimization of Women’s Efforts
    By backing women’s projects, traditional leaders give legitimacy and credibility to the efforts of grassroots women, elevating their status within the community. Their endorsement encourages wider community acceptance of women’s roles in agriculture and economic activities, which in turn helps challenge gender biases and empowers women to take on leadership roles. This cultural shift is vital for long-term gender equality and the sustainability of these resilience-building initiatives.

    Facilitating Knowledge Exchange and Traditional Agricultural Wisdom
    Traditional leaders, often seen as custodians of indigenous knowledge, also contribute to the success of resilience-building projects by sharing valuable agricultural wisdom that has been passed down through generations. This knowledge, which includes insights on sustainable land management, water conservation, and seasonal farming techniques, complements modern agricultural training and enhances the women’s ability to thrive in changing environmental conditions.

    Support for Climate Change Mitigation
    With climate change posing a significant threat to rural communities, traditional leaders have embraced their role in supporting climate adaptation efforts. By providing grassroots women with the necessary resources to establish climate-resilient agricultural practices, they actively participate in mitigating the effects of climate change. Their support helps ensure that communities are better prepared to handle environmental challenges like droughts, floods, and extreme weather conditions, which disproportionately affect women and vulnerable populations.

    Enhancing Economic Opportunities
    The backing of traditional leaders also opens up economic opportunities for women. By granting access to land and water, grassroots women are able to produce goods for both subsistence and commercial purposes. The economic security gained from these livelihood projects allows women to sell their produce in local markets, thereby improving their financial independence and reducing vulnerability to economic exploitation.

    Cultural Endorsement of Women’s Participation in Development
    In many traditional communities, the endorsement of women’s initiatives by local leaders is seen as a cultural approval of women’s growing involvement in economic and social development. This endorsement shifts cultural perceptions, making it acceptable and even encouraged for women to actively participate in, and lead, community development initiatives, including those focused on climate resilience and sustainability.

    In summary, the role of traditional leaders in allocating land, water, and other resources is not merely logistical; it is pivotal to the overall success and sustainability of grassroots women’s resilience-building projects. Their support helps dismantle barriers to resource access, fosters community unity, and empowers women to tackle climate change, hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and exploitation. By enabling women to take charge of their livelihoods, traditional leaders are helping build more resilient and self-sufficient communities capable of thriving in the face of adversity.

  • “A Closer Look at ZPHCA: Empowering Grassroots Women through Resilience and Livelihood Projects”

    “A Closer Look at ZPHCA: Empowering Grassroots Women through Resilience and Livelihood Projects”

    The Zimbabwe Parents for Handicapped Children Association (ZPHCA) Grassroots Women, who are mothers of children with disabilities, have united in a collective effort to address climate change through resilience-building initiatives. These dedicated women have embraced this journey as a way to not only safeguard their communities against the effects of climate change but also to create sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their families.

    Through ZPHCA, these grassroots women have made significant strides by initiating various innovative livelihoods projects aimed at fostering both food and income security. Some of the key projects they have spearheaded include kitchen gardening, group gardening, poultry production, peanut butter making, and waste management. These efforts are not just individual pursuits but community-based activities that are transforming the lives of many families. The successful implementation of these projects is enabling the women to achieve food security, ensuring that their families have consistent access to nutritious food. Additionally, they are generating income, improving their economic standing, and enhancing overall well-being at both family and community levels.

    The resilience-building efforts of these grassroots women have not gone unnoticed. Agricultural Extension Officers have stepped in to support their projects by providing training on market gardening and small livestock production. This technical assistance has equipped the women with the skills necessary to manage their projects more effectively and increase their yields. Furthermore, traditional leaders have also played a crucial role in the success of these initiatives. They have helped by allocating essential resources such as land and water, which are vital for the women’s agricultural projects. The support from these leaders ensures that the women have access to the tools and resources they need to combat the challenges posed by climate change, such as hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and economic exploitation.

    Through their collective efforts and the support from agricultural experts and traditional leaders, the ZPHCA Grassroots Women are not only building resilience against climate change but also empowering themselves and their communities. Their projects are a testament to the power of unity, innovation, and local resourcefulness in overcoming adversity and creating sustainable, thriving communities.

  • How grassroots women are benefiting from championing the ZPHCA Grassroots Women Resilience Building Livelihoods Projects

    How grassroots women are benefiting from championing the ZPHCA Grassroots Women Resilience Building Livelihoods Projects

    The Grassroots Women Resilience Building Livelihoods Projects offer numerous benefits that extend across individuals, families, and communities. These include:

    1. Food Security
    By engaging in kitchen and group gardening, poultry farming, and other agricultural activities, grassroots women ensure a stable supply of food for their families. This reduces dependence on external food sources and helps prevent hunger and malnutrition, especially during climate-related disruptions.

    2. Income Generation
    Projects such as peanut butter making, poultry production, and market gardening allow women to generate additional income. This financial security helps them meet their household needs, invest in their children’s education, healthcare, and improve their standard of living.

    3. Empowerment and Independence
    Participating in these projects empowers women by increasing their economic independence. Through skill development and access to resources, they are less reliant on external aid or male-dominated structures, enhancing their decision-making power within the family and community.

    4. Climate Resilience
    These livelihood projects are designed to mitigate the impacts of climate change. By learning sustainable agricultural practices, waste management, and water conservation techniques, grassroots women can adapt to changing environmental conditions, thereby building resilience to climate-induced challenges like droughts and floods.

    5. Capacity Building and Skill Development
    Through training provided by Agricultural Extension Officers and other experts, grassroots women acquire valuable skills in market gardening, small livestock production, and sustainable farming practices. These new competencies enable them to manage projects more efficiently, improving productivity and sustainability.

    6. Community Collaboration and Solidarity
    These initiatives foster a sense of community and collaboration among women. Group gardening, shared resources, and collective problem-solving build strong networks of support, where women help each other overcome challenges, share knowledge, and pool resources for the benefit of all involved.

    7. Improved Health and Nutrition
    By growing their own food, grassroots women ensure access to fresh and diverse produce, improving the overall nutrition of their families. This leads to better health outcomes, reducing the risk of malnutrition and diet-related illnesses.

    8. Resource Utilization and Environmental Conservation
    Projects like waste management promote efficient use of local resources and reduce environmental degradation. The use of available land, water, and waste products in a sustainable manner contributes to the long-term health of local ecosystems while also addressing climate change.

    9. Reduced Vulnerability to Economic Exploitation
    By having alternative income streams and food sources, grassroots women are less susceptible to economic exploitation and price fluctuations in the market. This resilience enables them to maintain their livelihoods even in times of economic hardship or crisis.

    10. Cultural and Leadership Integration
    With the involvement of traditional leaders, these projects are supported by the broader community, ensuring access to critical resources such as land and water. This collaboration between grassroots women and local leadership strengthens the social fabric and ensures that these projects receive the necessary backing to succeed.

    11. Sustainable Development
    By focusing on long-term livelihood projects, these initiatives contribute to the sustainable development of rural and marginalized communities. Women are actively engaged in building economies that are more self-reliant, reducing poverty, and enhancing the overall well-being of future generations.

    Overall, these resilience-building projects have a profound and far-reaching impact on the economic, social, and environmental resilience of grassroots women and their communities.

  • Why ZPHCA is training women on market gardening and small livestock production

    Why ZPHCA is training women on market gardening and small livestock production

    Training women on market gardening and small livestock production is crucial for several reasons, as it empowers them to enhance their livelihoods and contribute to their communities’ development. Here’s why such training is important:

    Food Security
    Market gardening equips women with the skills to grow a variety of crops, ensuring a consistent supply of nutritious food for their families and communities. Training in small livestock production, such as poultry, goats, or rabbits, adds an additional layer of food security, providing a source of protein and other vital nutrients.

    Income Generation
    With proper training, ZPHCA believes women can produce surplus crops and livestock, which they can sell in local markets. This income allows them to improve their financial independence, invest in their children’s education, healthcare, and household needs, and contribute to local economies.

    Sustainable Agriculture Practices
    Training emphasizes sustainable farming techniques such as crop rotation, organic farming, and efficient water use. These practices help women maximize yield while preserving the environment, which is especially important in combating the negative effects of climate change.

    Economic Empowerment
    When women are trained in market gardening and livestock production, they become economically empowered. Through the training from ZPHCA, they can start small businesses, participate more actively in the economy and gain greater control over financial decisions in their households, reducing dependence on male-dominated income streams.

    Climate Change Adaptation
    Climate change is a growing threat to food production. Training women in adaptable and climate-resilient gardening and livestock techniques prepares them to handle climate-related disruptions, such as droughts or floods, by growing drought-resistant crops or raising livestock suited to changing environmental conditions.

    Community Development
    As women improve their skills and start producing more, they often share their knowledge and resources with others in the community. This creates a ripple effect, where the entire community benefits from increased food production, better nutrition, and more robust local economies.

    Skill Development and Knowledge Transfer
    Training enhances women’s knowledge of both traditional and modern farming practices. This skill development builds confidence and encourages innovation in agricultural production, enabling women to experiment with new crops or livestock breeds, increasing both their yields and resilience to economic fluctuations.

    Health and Nutrition Improvement
    Training in market gardening encourages the cultivation of a wide variety of vegetables, improving the dietary diversity of households. Small livestock production further enhances nutrition by providing a source of animal products like eggs, milk, and meat, contributing to a balanced diet.

    Sustainability and Resilience
    Proper training helps women adopt practices that ensure the long-term sustainability of their agricultural ventures. They learn about pest control, soil management, and animal husbandry, which improves the productivity and longevity of their crops and livestock.
    Reduction of Gender Inequality

    Historically, women have had less access to agricultural training and resources than men. Providing women with targeted training helps bridge this gender gap, giving them equal opportunities to thrive in agricultural activities, thereby promoting gender equality and empowerment in rural areas.

    In summary, training women in market gardening and small livestock production fosters food security, economic empowerment, sustainable practices, and community development. Furthermore, ZPHCA acknowledges that it is a key factor in building resilient communities, reducing poverty and empowering women to lead more independent and fulfilling lives.