Zimbabwe: Current State

In its early years following independence in 1980, Zimbabwe was known as the ‘Jewel of Africa’, owing to its strong economy and abundant natural resources. Sadly, significant political unrest, corruption and international sanctions ultimately led to the collapse of the Zimbabwean economy. In 2008 the United Nations reported an unemployment rate of 94% and a staggering inflation rate of 231 million percent. Continuing in this downward spiral, the World Bank in 2011 reported that nearly 3 out of 4 Zimbabweans (74%) were living on less than US$5.50 a day. Over the years, millions of Zimbabweans, including teachers, health care professionals and other highly educated and skilled workers, have left the country in search of better economic opportunities in neighbouring countries (e.g. South Africa) and the West (e.g. United Kingdom, United States of America and Australia). This ‘brain drain’ as it is called, while making positive contributions outside of the country, has further weakened the Zimbabwean economy affecting families, communities and several important sectors including education. Today, economic instability prevails and many within the country face constant struggles in the pursuit of the most basic commodities.

Background of ITAI

Our founder Taf had the idea for ITAI in 2017 as she was completing her PhD. She had pledged to pay the tuition fees for a relative’s daughter that had already missed school days as a result of non-payment of fees and would soon fall behind her peers. Upon completing primary school, she received the highest grades possible in the nationwide examinations and she will soon be starting her fourth year of secondary school where she has continued to excel. It was then that Taf realized that there were likely many other children similarly restricted by poverty that would benefit from educational support.

‘Itai’ is a typical name in the Shona language from Zimbabwe which translates as ‘do as you please’. It is also the imperative form of the verb ‘to do’ in which case it would translate as urging/encouraging people to do (something). Our main aim as ITAI is to invest in children’s futures by identifying and acting on the various barriers which Zimbabwean children may face in accessing education.

"Itai", in the Shona language, is the imperative form of the verb ‘to do’

Our Mission

Through no fault of their own, many children in Zimbabwe have been forced out of school due to poverty and continue to fall behind their peers. We believe that this is unacceptable and should not be allowed to happen. Therefore, we would like to bring the global community together to help underprivileged children in Zimbabwe meet their tuition and other school-related needs and costs; meeting these needs will enable them to receive the training and skills they need to succeed in life.

How we aim to raise funds:

Donations received through fundraising events hosted by ITAI board members and supporters

Crowdfunding on the internet and over social media

Approaching companies and organizations for support as part of their corporate social investment (CSI) initiatives

Membership Subscriptions

Grant applications

Our goal & objectives

Our goal:

To support tuition and other school-related needs and costs of underprivileged children in Zimbabwe, to enable them to receive the training and skills they need to succeed in life.

Our objectives:

To raise awareness of the adversity facing Zimbabwean children and the importance of quality education.
To identify children at the earliest stages possible and ideally guarantee that they will receive support until they complete their secondary school education.
To identify and partner with schools and stakeholder organizations that will alert us to cases of school absenteeism due to non-payment of fees and allow us to monitor the children’s progress.
To lobby for and promote awareness of the need for improved infrastructure in schools including
(i) good quality, safe water, sanitation and hygiene facilities,
(ii) appropriate access for persons with disability,
(iii) electricity supply, and
(iv) computer and internet access.

I believe in making use of my various privileges to help build communities in which ALL children receive support regardless of their background or academic abilities.

Tafadzwa Mlambo

Background of founder

Taf attended both primary and secondary school in Zimbabwe before leaving for her university studies in South Africa. At the peak of the economic instability in 2008, the hyperinflation in the country meant that her family no longer had the money required for her third year of university. Against all odds, she completed her bachelor’s degree with distinction and went on to graduate with an MSc with distinction. In 2013, she had the honor of receiving an offer for a PhD position in Germany and went on to receive her PhD (cum laude) in April 2018.
Since March 2018, she has been employed as a postdoctoral researcher in Switzerland focusing on HIV research.

“In addition to the support from my parents, family and friends, I also received valuable assistance and advice from my various university lecturers and other university officials. In other words, several people invested in me at various stages of my journey, which ultimately gave me the valuable opportunities that allowed me to reach my full academic potential. In reality, not all children will be as fortunate as I have been, therefore I strongly believe in making use of my various privileges to help build communities in which ALL children receive support regardless of their background or academic abilities.”