Our annual back-to-school drive reached 500 vulnerable children across Zimbabwe this term, providing school uniforms, stationery and fees assistance so that poverty never forces a child out of the classroom. For orphans, children in child-headed households and those living with elderly guardians, a single term of school fees is often the difference between an education and a future left behind.
How the back-to-school drive keeps children in class
Every year, thousands of Zimbabwean children are sent home in the first week of term because their families cannot pay fees or afford a uniform. Mercy Showers Trust works with schools, churches and community leaders to identify the children in greatest need and remove those barriers before they become reasons to drop out. This year’s back-to-school drive combined verified fees assistance with practical supplies, reaching genuine cases through a transparent, documented selection process.
What every child received
Each child supported through the drive received a complete package designed to help them start the term with confidence:
- School uniforms, shoes and a warm jersey
- Exercise books, pens, pencils and a mathematical set
- Fees assistance for the most extreme, verified cases
- A durable school bag to carry it all with pride
Teachers told us the change was immediate. Children who had been anxious and withdrawn returned to class smiling, focused and ready to learn. When a child has the basics every classmate takes for granted, they stop feeling different and start believing in their own potential.
How you can help keep children learning
Education is the surest path out of poverty, and our Education Support programme runs all year round — not only at the start of term. A gift of any size helps keep a vulnerable child in school with the uniforms, books and fees they need to thrive. Sponsor a child today and help us reach the next 500 children who are counting on us.