A COLLABORATION between Hope Rising Education and I AM ZIM TRUST is transforming the lives of vulnerable children in Chipinge and Chiredzi, providing them with school fees, uniforms, and learning materials. This development is seen as more than charity, but a strategic investment in national development through child welfare while nurturing a generation equipped with education, mentorship, and moral guidance. Hope Rising Education founder Ms Patience Konono emphasised that safeguarding children’s welfare is both a humanitarian duty and a cornerstone for Zimbabwe’s long-term growth. She said supporting vulnerable children with education is not only about meeting basic needs but about laying the foundation for inclusive national development.

“We are paying between US$30–US$35 per child per term in school fees, depending on the school,” she said. “Our work is funded through cash and in-kind donations from supporters locally and in the diaspora.” She said that beyond academics, initiatives such as hygiene education and abuse awareness lessons empower children with confidence and resilience, ensuring they grow into responsible citizens. “Through our outreach initiatives, we have extended a helping hand to the girl child in Mbare, fostering a culture of empowerment and self-esteem,” said Ms Konono. “Our commitment to community development extends beyond the classroom, as evidenced by our impactful initiatives.”

Hope Rising Education co-founder Bishop Gladmore Konono, who recently graduated in International Business Management in Poland, emphasised that spiritual guidance and mentorship are critical in steering young people away from destructive lifestyles. “Many young people are losing their future through drugs and harmful influences. Every child deserves a future and when we educate and support orphans, we are investing in the next generation and building a stronger society,” he said. He said that education combined with faith-based mentorship can restore hope and discipline, positioning children as future leaders who will transform communities. “My heart is for the youth and for the forgotten children. If we guide them with truth, education and love, they will rise and become the leaders of tomorrow,” said Bishop Konono.