[:en]

In 2016, the Hilfe mit Plan Foundation of the children's charity Plan International approached Michael Hoppe to ask whether he would like to contribute his expertise, particularly in the area of income-generating measures, to a joint project in Zimbabwe.

He then combined his trip to Namibia in November 2016 with a visit to the planned project area. The commitment of the people, who teach children with the simplest means, often without protective buildings, moved him deeply and encouraged him to take the next step into a new African country.

Children in the regions of Mutare and Mutasa in Zimbabwe are no better off than children once were in the project area in Okakarara, Namibia.

Kindergartens and schools, especially in rural areas, are far from the children's homes, poorly equipped, and the teachers are poorly trained. Due to the ongoing drought period in Zimbabwe, the situation has worsened further, as for parents securing food is more important than educating and supporting their children. Underdevelopment and malnutrition as well as high unemployment characterize these regions.

A warm meal, safe, child-friendly play and learning, as well as preparation for an independent life – we want to make this possible for children in Zimbabwe too!

More than 1,500 toddlers will benefit from our joint commitment in this region over a project period of 3 years, and indirectly even more than 12,500 children.

Planned are

1. the construction of four so-called ECCD (Early Childhood Care & Development) centres for children aged 3-4
2. the strengthening of the economic situation in the households of the communities through the establishment of savings groups, through support for income-generating measures such as fish ponds and grain mills, and through training in agricultural cultivation methods
3. the improvement of the nutrition and health situation in the planned ECCD centers in Mutasa and Mutare through the establishment of vegetable gardens, training of caregivers in the maintenance of the gardens, as well as awareness-raising measures on hygiene and health.

As with most other steps projects, we have an engaged partner at our side.

The Hilfe mit Plan Foundation of the children's charity Plan International now supports us in our important step into a second project country.

For Plan International, too, self-help is at the heart of its activities. For us, however, the organisation's more than 80 years of experience in more than 70 countries around the world is particularly valuable. We do not have to start from scratch, for example when it comes to contacts with government institutions and communities. Here, we will be greatly supported both by detailed knowledge of local structures and by local staff in Plan International's project team, enabling us to face and accompany the particular challenges together.

We are pleased that we can contribute our knowledge and experience, particularly from income-generating measures, to our collaboration with the Hilfe mit Plan Foundation in Zimbabwe. And last but not least, this collaboration means an increase in know-how for us, which can also be put to good use in our projects in Namibia. Because of course, in Namibia, steps for children will continue as before – we will continue to develop the existing projects and new partnerships will emerge.

Photos © Plan International

[:]