Teclah's story

Teclah Ponde. Photo © Marcus Perkins/Progressio 

“I have a heart that goes out for people,” says Teclah Ponde.

“So what I do is more of a calling than mere work. I believe I do it with passion, dedication and commitment.

“As a Progressio development worker, I believe that I am an agent of change; that I’ve touched significant lives through my work.”

Sharing skills

An HIV specialist, Teclah was drawn to share her skills with the people of Zimbabwe – one in seven of whom are living with HIV.

She is now working with ZACRO – the Zimbabwe Association for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of the Offender – to help reduce the spread of HIV in prisons and mitigate its impact.

The task is huge: what Teclah calls the “humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwean prisons” means even basics like enough food to eat cannot be taken for granted. So, as well as the long term work on HIV,  she is helping to respond to immediate needs. That means fundraising to provide food for children living with their imprisoned mothers, as well as training prisoners to spread awareness among other prisoners about HIV.

Releasing potential

Key to her approach is releasing the potential that is already there – both in ZACRO, and among prisoners. “There is so much talent within the prisons that given an opportunity, these prisoners could make a real difference to the communities they have wronged,” says Teclah.

Prisoners like Clayton Marambo, who was released from Harare Central prison after serving eight years. ZACRO is helping him train for a new life as an electrician and giving him advice and assistance with resettlement into the community.

“Too many people are neglected and forsaken by their communities and societies,” says Teclah.

“Yet people are the one great human resource. I see my work as a way of tapping that resource; a way of helping to open up the potential.

“For me, development work is not just a job; it is a calling to bring hope and change.”