Transformative Education for Refugees in Zimbabwe

Greertings from TWEENS,

We are proud to say 2025 has been an action packed year for us here at TWEENS. We are grateful for the funding we received from World University Service of Canada (WUSC), Naledi Foundation, Global Fund for Children and The US Embassy Julia Taft that have made it possible to expand our education programs. Here are some updates of our 2025 activities so far: 

April to June activities

During the April school break, we conducted tutoring sessions for both O-level and A-level students. A total of 105 O-level students and 20 A-level students participated in preparation for their examinations. We aimed to keep students engaged throughout the school break with various activities. The success of our holiday lessons can be attributed to the addition of two classrooms, as well as extra chairs, tables, and boards to accommodate everyone. This infrastructure expansion was part of an initiative funded by the US Embassy in Zimbabwe Julia Taft grant.

We held various informational sessions on project writing, available youth opportunities, mental health, and a reorientation session about TWEENS. Students were able to hear testimonials and reflect on them at the beginning of the holiday and again at the end. On Sundays, we organized afternoon movie sessions for our students. During the mid week students participated in volleyball, chess, darts, and table tennis in the afternoons. Additionally, we held cross-country runs on Saturday morning, which included all students and TWEENS members. Two new initiatives, cross-country and acappella, were started during the holiday by USAP Alumni. Acappella sessions were held every Thursday, and we concluded the holiday with a competition among our students. On April 26, we conducted a cleanup campaign that had a high turnout of participants, making it a productive activity. The book club continued with a focus on research, as many students are working on school projects. We maintained a count of 20 participants. We received Chromebooks for the girls at TWEENS from Naledi foundation, making it easier for the students to conduct research. Additionally, solar lights were donated for girls to study at home, as many are not allowed to attend the evening study sessions at TWEENS. 

Empowering Young Leaders Through Technology Program

We launched a new program aimed at empowering young leaders through a technology initiative, supported by WUSC-DREEM-YAC fund.The program began with interviews on April 28 and started on May 3 with 15 participants (5 males and 10 females). We received 7 computers from WUSC-DREEM-YAC to support this program and running afternoon classes. The program leaders include a mentor, a trainer, and a coordinator. 

Testimonials

During the April holiday, we collected testimonials from students. One girl expressed, “The holiday was very short; I wish it had been longer so we could finish the syllabus. These holiday lessons were great, filled with many activities and presentations that boosted our confidence.” From the computer program, students remarked, “This is a great opportunity to open doors for youth and empower them to get jobs and be innovative.”

Thank you for your continued support to TWEENS !