Gender Equality Zimbabwe Project #31950

Let's give girls training for a vibrant future

by American Foundation for Children with AIDS

Project Report | Feb 4, 2026
Turning Training into Real Success

By Debbie | Partner in Africa

In many places, a brand-new pair of high-heeled shoes or a pretty dress might be seen as a dream come true for young girls. But here, at our agricultural training school, a different kind of value shines through—one that’s about practical skills, real opportunity, and a future they can build with their own hands.

Think about the difference between gumboots and stiletto heels. While stilettos might look fancy, gumboots are what you need to get out in the field, protecting your feet from mud, water, and sharp stones. And sure, a pretty dress is lovely, but a gardening worksuit is what lets the girls roll up their sleeves and get to work comfortably and confidently.

We just welcomed 15 girls to a 12-month course at the Sandra Jones Centre in Zimbabwe. For them, getting their gumboots and worksuits wasn’t just about clothes—it was a powerful sign of hope. Each pair of boots meant stepping into a new world where they can learn valuable skills and become self-reliant. The sturdy worksuits showed they were ready to work hard, learn, and grow in a field that can support them for life. When they received their kits, their faces lit up with joy. It was clear how much these simple tools meant to them.

These items aren’t just gear, they represent the resilience, skills, and independence these young women are building. Through this training, they’re opening doors to a future where they can support themselves and their families, far beyond what any fashionable outfit could offer. That day was a real celebration. A reminder to everyone that what these girls are gaining isn’t about appearances but about creating lasting opportunities and brighter futures.

Our work wouldn’t be possible without the amazing support from the American Foundation for Children with AIDS. Their gift of greenhouses has made a big difference. These greenhouses protect the crops from harsh weather and help the girls grow a variety of nutritious plants all year round. Thanks to their support, the girls can practice what they’ve learned in a safe, productive environment. Their help means more than just buildings. It’s an investment in these girls’ futures and their communities. Just like the boots and worksuits, the greenhouses stand for growth, hope, and the chance to build something sustainable. Together, these resources give the girls the tools they need to turn their training into real success that will benefit them and their families for years to come.

The team here at the American Foundation for Children with AIDS thanks you for supporting this project and the work we do for the children in Africa. If you would like to learn even more about what we do or how you can meet some of the children you have helped, please contact Tanya Weaver at tweaver@AFCAids.org.

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Oct 8, 2025
The Gift of Cross-Organizational Education

By Julia at Sandra Jones Centre | Partner in Africa

An important aspect of the Agros Farm Vocational Skills Training Program of Singabantwana is for our girls to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This quarter, a group of our girls were selected to attend a learning visit to another of AFCA’s partners ‘Harvest Family Village’. They were chosen because of their dedication to the farm, and their hunger to learn more.

Both Agros Farm and Harvest Family Village are running AFCA greenhouse projects. There have been some issues that Agros Farm has had, and we have been trying to formulate solutions. The Harvest Family Village team had unique and specific experience with the program and had timely suggestions for our struggles.

It was incredible for our girls and a couple of the farm staff to visit the Harvest Family Village farm project. The girls learned so much about Harvest Family’s growing and production system and were able to interact with other farmers. It was not only an enjoyable experience in terms of learning about tomatoes, but the girls also were given an opportunity to see other female farmers excel in the field. They were able to see what they can become with time, hard-work, and dedication.

The girls came back to Agros Farm with a freshly ignited fire and excitement for their work ahead, as well as a new-found pride in their work and intellectual abilities. They were buzzing with stories about how MANY tomatoes they grow in one greenhouse, how the cabbage is free of pests, and how Maggie and Henry were so kind and explained things to them without making them feel silly. It was a wonderful outing for our girls, and we thank AFCA and Harvest Family Village for this cross-organizational opportunity for training!

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Jun 2, 2025
Breaking Ground and Generational Cycles

By Julia | Partner in Africa

This year on Agros Farm and Vocational Skills Training Program, we have 19 wonderful and hardworking girls. Two of these girls are a part of the Training Program’s sister project, ‘She Can’. ‘She Can’ is a program designed to rescue 14-17 year old girls out of sex work/child sexual exploitation. The girls are given counseling and have their choice of vocational training programs. Two of these girls, let us call them Mary and Sarah, opted for the year-long agricultural training program rather than the quicker and supposedly easier, hairdressing or catering programs. Mary comes from a family that has struggled under the poverty line and the female figures in her life have had to be the ones to make ends meet. For her, having agricultural training means having possibilities that those before her didn’t have the opportunity to have. Sarah fell into sex work when she was 15 and had to quit school because her father could no longer afford her school fees. For Sarah, this agricultural program gives her a second chance to learn.

It is now the end of quarter one of the Agros farm training and planting season. Thus far Mary and Sarah have gained experience in pig husbandry, chicken rearing, vegetable production, and market pricing. The girls have the rest of the year to hone in their skills, find their passions, and prepare for life after the program. Instead of needing to fall back into sex work and exploitation, these girls have a whole new horizon of possibilities available to them. They can start their own business, work for a company, rear chickens and do a small agricultural plot at home, or continue their studies. What was once a clear narrow-roaded trajectory is now a wide field of opportunity. There are many young women just like Mary and Sarah, who simply need the chance to break new ground; and it is for these girls that the Agros Training Program exists.

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