Every child deserves the chance to thrive.

From education and daily meals to healthcare, creativity and practical skills, Zara’s Center provides holistic support for vulnerable children and families.

Daily Meals

Each year, we provide more than 50,000 nutritious meals, with two meals prepared on-site each day. Meals combine carbohydrates, protein and vegetables, with fresh produce sourced from our gardens whenever possible.

For many children, these meals provide consistent and dependable meals that help them stay healthy and focused. Surplus food is also shared with children to take home to their families.

Education

School Fees & Academic Support
We pay school fees for every child at Zara’s Center and provide bespoke tutoring to help kids stay in school and progress academically.

Digital Learning
Our computer literacy training gives children access to technology and digital learning tools, including the Akello Smart Learning platform, helping them strengthen foundational skills and build confidence in an increasingly connected world.

Creativity and Play

Creativity and play are an important part of life at Zara’s Center. Through marimba and dance classes, children stay connected to Zimbabwean culture and heritage while building confidence and learning new forms of expression.

Children also learn drama and performance, culminating in an annual play that brings the community together. At our new campus, a dedicated playground will create even more space for children to play and simply enjoy being children.

Agriculture

Our vegetable gardens and orchards are living classrooms, where children learn to grow and harvest seasonal produce while developing practical skills. We grow a wide variety of vegetables and fruits, from tomatoes, spinach and sweet potatoes to oranges, mangoes and avocados, alongside sugar cane and nut trees.

Each Wednesday, community volunteers help tend the gardens, and this year we’re expanding the program with chicken farming and newly populated coops.

  • A group of young children dancing or exercising in a classroom, with colorful drawings on the wall behind them.

    Health & Wellness

    Founded in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Zara’s Center has always placed health at the core of its mission. Today, we continue that legacy through regular doctor’s visits, vaccinations, and preventive health screenings for every child. By promoting nutrition, wellness education, and access to care, we’re breaking down barriers to health equity.

  • A rural scene with solar panels and a green water tank elevated on a wooden structure, surrounded by trees and dry grass.

    Clean Water Provision

    Our borehole and water system provide a reliable source of clean water for our children and the surrounding community. The system supports daily activities, including kitchens, toilets, and our gardens. Families in Emganwini can easily access this water, reducing the time and effort spent collecting it each day.

  • Sewing and Beadwork

    Our Sewing and Beadwork program teaches children practical skills while fostering creativity and patience. Students learn to create clothing, accessories, and intricate bead designs. The program encourages entrepreneurial thinking and teamwork, as children collaborate on projects and explore how their creations can support themselves and their community.

  • A woman stands in front of a painted brick wall with a sign for Zara Center Trust. She is wearing a black t-shirt with a graphic design, blue jeans, and flip-flops, looking slightly to her right with her hands behind her back.

    Alumni Support

    We continue to invest in our students even after they graduate. We provide financial support for college tuition and fees, helping alumni pursue higher education and achieve their career goals. Many of our alumni also return to Zara’s Center as tutors, mentors, and staff, sharing their skills and experiences.

Sustainability

Our campus is designed with sustainability in mind, with two boreholes at the new campus and one at our current Center providing reliable clean water for Zara’s children and the wider Emganwini community. Solar power reduces our reliance on the electrical grid, helping create a more resilient and self-sufficient Center.