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 // Secretary
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.
Kelly Griffin
Kelly has been involved with Zimkids since her life-changing visit to Zimbabwe back in 2007. She is a qualified nurse and line-manager to our UK Operations Coordinator. Kelly loves to champion the charity whenever she gets the chance!
Tanya Ratzer // Treasurer
Tanya grew up with Charlene (Founder) in a rural farming community called Karoi in Zimbabwe. Tanya is the Treasurer for Zimkids and worked in investment banking for 10 years prior to taking on this role. Having lived in Africa she is passionate about the importance of enabling poorer communities to help themselves and giving them the opportunity of breaking the devastating cycle of poverty.
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.
