MUTARE – In Zimbabwe’s Mutasa District, chiefs, village heads, and Community Childcare Workers (CCWs) are leading a transformative initiative to safeguard vulnerable children. Trained under a Government of Zimbabwe program supported by its partners UNICEF and funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), these grassroots leaders are establishing a strong child protection system focused on prevention and response.
The initiative centres on equipping local leaders with skills in referral pathways and case management systems, creating a multisectoral safety net involving the Ministry of Health and Child Care, judiciary, and police and other arms of government.
Headman Cosmas Sakupwanya, one of the beneficiaries of a recent training program, says the initiative has transformed lives in his community by addressing critical issues such as access to birth certificates.
He added that the program’s success stemmed from a “train-the-trainer” model that saw 34 headmen under Chief Mutasa receive training, who then cascaded the knowledge to 300 village heads.
“We often encounter cases of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children in our villages,” Sakupwanya said. “The training has empowered us to identify, prevent, and address these issues effectively. It is a critical step in building safer communities for our children.”
The initiative aims to strengthen the role of traditional leaders as the first point of contact in rural areas, ensuring that vulnerable children receive timely protection and assistance.
Shandukirai Fombe, a Community Care Worker (CCW) for Ward 11 in Mutasa District, shared insights into the critical work being done to support vulnerable children in the area, including referrals to social services and schools.
“We often receive referrals from village health workers, and we assess whether the cases require social welfare, Victim Friendly Unit (VFU) intervention, or assistance from the ward coordinator,” Fombe explained.
She highlighted the challenges of caring for neglected children, often left behind as families migrate from Mutasa district, whose local economy has been hit hard by macro-economic challenges affecting Zimbabwe, in search of better opportunities.
“Many children are abandoned when their parents leave for greener pastures. We’ve been taking these children to schools and negotiating with headmasters to enroll them. However, some remain on waiting lists, hoping for BEAM or other forms of assistance,” Fombe said.
Fombe recounted a personal success story involving Pafiwa Primary School, where she facilitated the enrollment of children in need.
“In some cases, we even help children obtain birth certificates. Last year, I referred several children to the Registrar’s Office to ensure they could access this essential document,” she added.
The area also faces pressing social issues such as early marriages, peer pressure, and drug abuse. Fombe emphasized the importance of addressing these cases promptly.
“We refer these cases to the relevant authorities to ensure the children get the help they need,” she said.
Despite their successes, Fombe pointed out that CCWs face logistical challenges, including limited resources for follow-ups.
“We often walk 2–3 kilometers to follow up on cases because we don’t have airtime to make calls. Additionally, we lack proper identification and bags, which makes our work harder. We’re still writing on paper when automation could make our work more efficient,” Fombe explained.
Mutasa Ward 11 CCW Linnet Kamutsamba highlighted how the program extends beyond immediate crisis response. “We help children in different ways—those who are abused, out of school, or even considering suicide,” she said. “We also counsel young women struggling to maintain their families.”
Trainings from the program are also supporting birth registration.
Despite their dedication, CCWs face resource constraints. “We often walk 2 to 3 kilometers to reach families, and airtime shortages make follow-ups challenging,” said Blessing Mandigo, another Ward 11 CCW. “We could work more efficiently with proper identification badges and automated systems.”
Blessing Mandigo, one of only two male CCWs in his ward, reflected on his motivation: “Children are special, and as a man, I felt compelled to step up. This comes from deep down in my heart.”
One case that stood out for Partner Rusanga, a CPC partner in Ward 11, was of a child forced into marriage who ended up sleeping by the river after being rejected by her parents. “We intervened, convinced the parents to take her back, and helped take the case to court, where they secured maintenance support,” she said.
The program’s success also lies in fostering resilience among community members. “We faced resistance initially, but with time, people understood the importance of our work,” Mandigo said.
By combining prevention and response, the initiative offers a lifeline to Zimbabwe’s most vulnerable children, ensuring no child is left behind.
