Disability Rights Zimbabwe Project #54567

Include Us - Zimbabwe Deaf people and Families.

by Nzeve Deaf Centre

Project Report | Jun 30, 2025
Safeguarding begins at home!

By Blessing Chaipa | Director

Nzeve is committed to empowering parents to create strong support systems for Deaf boys and girls regarding every aspect of their well-being, including issues related to gender-based violence (GBV). Deaf children face significant challenges in accessing support systems, particularly concerning GBV. This is largely due to communication barriers between children and parents, as well as cultural norms that make it taboo for parents and children to discuss sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR). This silence leaves children vulnerable to abuse, as they may be unable to open up about their experiences.

Recognizing that we cannot talk about safeguarding without involving parents because charity begins at home, and that safeguarding starts within the family. This June , Nzeve conducted a safeguarding session for 26 parents. This session focused on enhancing parental roles in addressing GBV-related issues. Key topics covered included identifying signs of GBV and understanding reporting mechanisms, which helped parents learn how to recognize the signs of GBV and the various referral pathways available for reporting incidents. The risks of STIs and HIV in cases of abuse were also discussed, highlighting the health implications of abuse. Another key factor that was discussed is the importance of open communication and bonding with children was emphasized, encouraging parents to foster open lines of communication and create an environment where children feel safe to express their concerns. Additionally, mental health support and strategies for preventing substance abuse among youth were addressed.

Empowering parents to recognize signs of change in their children and create safe spaces for them to speak up is a vital step towards preventing GBV and promoting a protective environment. During the session, one parent shared, "I never realized how important it is to talk openly with my child about these issues this session has helped me." Another parent remarked, "Learning about the signs of GBV has opened my eyes. I will be more vigilant and proactive in supporting my child."

This session reinforced the importance of parental involvement in safeguarding children from harm and highlighted the critical need for parents to report any violations of their children’s rights.

Permalink

Mar 2, 2025
Empowering New Parents to Create Support Systems for Deaf Children!

By Blessing Chaipa | Director

Parents of children who have just been identified to be deaf often experience denial and uncertainty, which can affect their ability to support their deaf children. Nzeve’s dedication to empower these parents to establish robust support systems for the deaf Children continues. By providing essential training and resources to Parents of the Deaf Children, Nzeve helps them build confidence and knowledge, enabling them to effectively advocate for their children's needs. Through workshops and community engagement, parents learn the importance of collaboration, safeguarding, going back to school for financial stability to meet their children’s needs fostering an environment where Deaf children can thrive. This empowerment not only enhances the well-being of the children but also strengthens the families as a whole, creating a supportive network that benefits everyone involved

In January 2025 as part of the Early identification and Families Initiative, a workshop was conducted for 14 new parents including the old ones. The aim of this workshop was address safeguarding issues to empower the new parents with necessary knowledge to identify and report safeguarding issues. Parents were not only educated about safeguarding but were also encouraged to consider returning to school. This pursuit of education is viewed as a pathway to better financial support for their children, ultimately addressing their educational and developmental needs. The training also provided a platform for experienced parents to share their insights and encourage newcomers that with love and determination a deaf child can strive.

During the workshop, one parent shared, "I now see the importance of pursuing my own education so I can provide more for my child’s future."

The work of Nzeve with support from its Funders and individual supporters is transforming the lives of deaf children and their families. These workshops are providing a platform for education and mutual support. The journey of these mothers and their children is one of many, serving as a testament to the profound impact Nzeve is making within the community.

Permalink

Nov 2, 2024
Empowering Parents to build Support for Deaf Child

By Blessing Chaipa | Acting Director

Nzeve is dedicated to assisting parents in maintaining robust support networks by organizing refresher workshops aimed at reminding them of their responsibilities in supporting their deaf children. These workshops also encourage the formation of support groups among parents, fostering financial and emotional assistance to bolster their children's well-being.

In October 2024, as part of the Early Intervention and Family Support initiative, Nzeve conducted two parent workshops, engaging with a total of 57 parents. One workshop targeted parents with children in Resource Units, while the other focused on parents of Deaf youths enrolled in vocational training at Nzeve. These sessions evaluated the level of parental involvement in existing support groups within their communities and explored the potential for establishing new groups where none existed or revitalizing dormant ones.

The significance of community support groups was underscored, emphasizing the benefits of collective burden-sharing within such groups. Parents of Deaf youths were encouraged to provide ongoing support to their children, both current students and graduates, aiding them in establishing their own businesses with familial assistance. Discussions with Nzeve officers centered on various forms of support, including emotional, financial, social assistance, information provision, and marketing strategies for their businesses. The workshops highlighted the importance of allowing children to pursue their passions rather than coercing them into unsuitable career paths.

During one of the workshops, a parent shared, One parent shared, "I was struggling; my child was being bullied at school, and I didn’t know how to help him. This refresher training has reminded me that no one else but I can be the shield and advocate for my child." Another parent said, "I was forcing my child to do sewing, but she has always loved hairdressing. Now, with the support group we have formed, I will help her start her hairdressing business through the income generating activities I will be conducting with the other parents."

These workshops provided a platform for reinforcing previous trainings on child safeguarding and protection. A referral pathway was shared with parents, emphasizing the critical need to safeguard their children from harm but also the need to report when their children’s rights have been violated

Permalink

1 2 3 4 ›

About Project Reports

Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.

If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.