Scripture Union Zimbabwe
Scripture Union Zimbabwe (SUZ) has been reducing the number of children and teenagers living and working on the streets of Bulawayo and Masvingo, Zimbabwe, for the last 30 years. The children struggle to survive and are vulnerable to abuse, drugs and illegal activities on the streets.
SUZ works hard to reunify children with their families where possible through careful relationship building, identifying the needs of the child and family and how to improve their situation. Those who are most vulnerable live at the SUZ centre, where they receive love, care and nurture. All the children under SUZ attend school and grow in strength, confidence and faith.
E3’s partnership is:
Reaching out to 150 children through day and night street visits to build relationships and provide basic rights (health/medication, play, sport education, psycho-social support, shelter, food and clothing).
Caring for children who are very vulnerable and were living on the streets at the Centre.
Running sexual and gender-based violence workshops in schools and with teenage mothers living in the slums to encourage them to report cases of violence and break the culture of silence. Survivors of abuse were supported through health care and professional counselling sessions
Facilitating reunification and reintegration of children living on the streets with their families.
Helping provide Life Skills so children make informed decisions on key issues, including peer pressure, self-esteem, child protection and drug and substance abuse. Almost 100 children and young people also received spiritual support through Bible studies, prayers, church attendance and Christian camps.
Paying fees to enable young people to go on to university and helping others to set up small businesses to earn a living.
Advocating for the rights of more than 400 children living on the streets.
Helping develop agricultural projects to generate an income to help run the project.
Grant from E3: £14,000
Skholiwe Ncube is the project leader.
Here’s what Scripture Union’s support means to the children it serves…
“Going to secondary school is a dream come true for me. I am the first person in my family to get to this level. My parents and two brothers cannot read and write. I want to help my family to have a decent place to live.”
“We are always used to donor dependency as teenage mothers, but the support group has empowered us to work hard for our family and reduce the dependency syndrome.”
“My two children will enjoy Christmas because of this rice, drink and kapenta (small dried fish).” One of the young mothers who received a Christmas hamper. For her that was a special meal because she is used to having one meal per day.
During a street outreach in January 2025, the SUZ team met Sarah, a 14 year old girl. She agreed to be assisted to go back home. Her family was traced and was excited to have her back. Later, it was discovered that she was sexually abused and this had resulted in teenage pregnancy. SUZ helped the family come to terms with the situation. The family then supported her as she went to counselling and antenatal care. Sarah had a baby girl in July. SUZ is helping her realise her dream of returning to school and is empowering her family to support this so she can finish her education. Without SUZ’s support, Sarah may have had an abortion or even abandoned the baby. Now, they are both in good health and thriving.
"The support group has helped me to budget, understand personal hygiene and take care of my child. I hope to do a health care course so I can work and support my family."
Esther, 17 years old, mum to 2 children aged 3 years old and 4 months old.
How you can help
Pray…
Praying for E3 partners on a regular basis brings you closer to the life-transforming work that is happening on the ground and is fundamental to our mission, helping us seek God’s wisdom and be effective in our partnerships and work.
Donate…
Your donation will go to where it is needed most or to a specific appeal like Back to School. We work hard to minimise the running costs of the charity so more of your donation goes to the work.
