Recognition comes to Africaid's Zvandiri Programme!

For several reasons Africaid prefers to keep a fairly low profile on the internet. However that does not mean nothing is going on! Here is a quick update of some notable recent achievements:

1. Numbers of children: Numbers of children involved in the programme rise ever faster and there are now over 2000 on our computerised register!

2. The Auxillia Chimusoro Awards

Auxillia Chimusoro passed away in 1998 after being the first lady to publicly disclose her HIV status in Zimbabwe and to establish support programmes for people living with HIV.

Last week Africaid was nominated for the 10th annual Auxillia Chimusoro HIV and AIDS Awards on behalf of USAID and won  the Social Investment  category .  The Auxillia Chimusoro awards honour individuals or organisations that have excelled in their involvement in the fight against HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe.

The Awards ceremony will be held in Harare on Thursday  2 December 2010 from 10:00am. It will be attended by the US Ambassador, Charles Ray; the Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr. Henry Madzorera;  NGOs, people living with HIV and the media.

3. Graca Machel visits Zvandiri House

Graça Machel is a Mozambican politician and humanitarian. She is the third wife of former South African president Nelson Mandela and the widow of the late Mozambican president Samora Machel. She is an international advocate for women’s and children’s rights.

Two weeks ago Graca Machel visited UNICEF in Zimbabwe, and Africaid was asked to host her at its training and support centre, Zvandiri House. Children from Africaid and other organisations met with Graca and shared their testimonies and experiences. The day was a huge success and it was an incredible privilege to meet such an inspirational lady. Graca’s words to the children touched them deeply.

The visit ended with Graca and the children dancing together to the Zvandiri song “With support we stand strong”.

4. The Gogo Dhlembeu Awards

On 2^nd November, Safaids held a 'Sharing and Learning from Good Practice' conference together with the National Action Plan for OVC. At this event, the first annual Gogo Dhlembeu Awards ceremony was held, with prizes awarded to organisations which demonstrated good practice in OVC programming. Members of the conference voted after attending presentations by 14 organisations who were part of the national Programme of Support. The scoring was based on SADC standards.

First prize went to Africaid, second to Mavambo and third to Family Support Trust. Children from Africaid were present at the event, including the dance group which performed its “Special Star” dance.

To quote UNICEF, “All organisations were delighted, but Africaid were especially exuberant”!!

These awards come on top of the Zvandiri Programme being selected as a national site of best practice in 2009. Of course it is nice for Africaid's work to be recognised nationally. It encourages everyone concerned, but more than that it encourages the children and tells them they are part of something important.

Thanks so much to all those who support us, be they government departments, international partners such as USAID and UNICEF, Maruva Trust, our computer system supplier EMIS, individual sponsors, or the families of the children. These awards reflect well on us all.

The Africaid Team in Harare