ICS Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is at a crossroads. Many years of crisis have brought the country to its knees. Nearly 20% of the population are HIV positive. Life expectancy has plummeted to 43 years for women and 44 for men.

Yet there is hope. Allied to this is the great resilience among the Zimbabwean people who have the potential to lift themselves out of poverty.

Progressio ICS supports UK and Zimbabwean young people from all backgrounds to make a real difference to development initiatives in Zimbabwe and to local partner organisations working with those living with HIV.

The first group of ICS volunteers are currently working with the Catholic Diocese of Mutare Community Care Program and the Churches Forum, all in Mutare. They will work with local young people to learn and share ideas to improve faith based responses to HIV, bringing ideas and sharing skills and experiences to childhood development classes for children orphaned by HIV and using entrepreneurial and organisational skills to help livelihood projects.

The full phase of ICS will see national and UK volunteers working on similar projects over the next 3 years. These volunteers will provide support to the HIV/AIDS and livelihoods initiatives which are 2 on-going projects in Manicaland.

Utilising the skills of both the UK and National volunteers, key areas of impact include helping partners develop databases for monitoring and evaluation, raise awareness on HIV and AIDS, assist in product development for sustainable livelihood activities and facilitating Internet training. This programme also seeks to promote Village, Cultural and Eco- Tourism which provides volunteers with the opportunity to share their cultures and stories.

You can find out more on Progressio's work in Zimbabwe here and read blogs from ICS volunteers here.