Give a Child Identity: Birth Registration Africa

Dear Supporters,

It is every child’s right to have a birth certificate. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16.9 target goal is to provide legal identity for all including birth registration by 2030. This project therefore seeks to turn the promises of SDGs into reality through assisting vulnerable children with transport and other logistics needed to acquire birth certificates. 

In January, the GVI Trust committed to support 50 children in gaining a legal identity which would allow them to access government resources such as public education, healthcare and later in life be able to get drivers licences, open bank accounts, travel and much more.

The GVI Trust is collaborating with local NGOs and government officials to provide Zimbabwean children without a legal identity with birth certificates. This initially involved collaborating with social workers to identify paperless children in rural parts of Zimbabwe. Once the beneficiaries had been identified, a case opened for each child to find people who would vouch for the children's identity. Finally, the GVI Trust worked with grassroots organisations to provide the transport needed into Harare to sign and receive the paperwork. In addition, experienced staff provided emotional support to the children and their extended family during the paperwork process which can be quite intense. This three stage process required the involvement of government officials, local NGOs, the GVI Trust as well as the beneficiaries. Whilst the process is temporarily put on hold due to covid-19. The GVI Trust managed to secure that nine children got birth certificates prior to Zimbabwe implementing a national lockdown.As covid-19 is sweeping across the world, birth certificates have never been more important as children need to be able to access healthcare services in case of emergency. 

It is with your continued support that we can make an impactful and long-lasting impact in the community by tackling the root causes of lack of education and healthcare. We are grateful for your generosity and it goes without saying that the GVI Trust and all its donors, play a vital role in making a sustainable and impacting difference to the lives of many children across Zimbabwe. 

Thank you to our Donors, Fundraisers and Supporters! 

With Gratitude,

Africa Paperless Children