Zimkids began in 2006 with one little boy needing life-saving HIV treatment. He was just five years old, had no family, no clothes and no way to get food. Through getting to know this little boy and providing for his most basic needs we were exposed to the massive problem of poverty throughout Zimbabwe.
Since then we have developed a strategy for helping families to stay together despite the death of parents, illness and homelessness. Zimkids works with the whole family, helping them to learn to get themselves out of poverty.
We are a grass-roots organisation and are completely Zimbabwean-led in the field. We create employment opportunities for local people in the townships we have a presence in so that the whole community are being developed.
We currently have a presence in three townships - Epworth and Hopley in Harare, and in rural Mutoko.
Governance
Zimkids is a Christian charity registered by the Charity Commission and overseen by a Board of Trustees in the UK. We raise funds for the team of Zimkids employees and volunteers in Zimbabwe who in turn are overseen by a local Board of Trustees.
This structure ensures that funds raised in the UK are used directly to support vulnerable families in Zimbabwe.
You can check out our latest accounts on the charity commission website here.
UK Trustees
Peter Leech
Peter is a long-standing member of the Church that Zimkids sprang from (Morden Baptist Church), and one of the initial Trustees. He is also the Company & Charity Secretary and taking the opportunity of retirement to visit Zimbabwe each year.
Nadia Johnstone
Nadia was born and bred in Zimbabwe in the beautiful ancient city of Masvingo and spent her school terms in Harare. Nadia is a mother of two who enjoys travelling and exploring other cultures and ways of life. She is very passionate about all things human rights related and developing, coaching and mentoring young fellow Zimbabweans both here in the UK and back in Zim. She is also a school governor for a primary school.
Sarah Samuel
Sarah Samuel is an international development professional with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa and five years living on the continent. She is deeply committed to improving the lives of children and helping women create businesses. Her area of expertise is strategic communications and planning.
Angelica Udeze
Angelica is an international development professional with experience working in fundraising and grant management. She is passionate about the sustainable development of sub-Saharan Africa and is committed to improving the lives of marginalised communities.
Tendai Horton
Tendai is a Fundraising professional with over fifteen years experience in the charity sector and specialises in digital and face-to face fundraising. He is extremely passionate about helping charities find and develop their digital footprint whilst staying abreast of compliance and regulation standards.
Tendai was born in the UK and spent a large part of his early childhood in Zimbabwe, where he went to school. Sport is a big part of his life and enjoys coaching whenever he can.