Zimbabwe is home to an estimated 1.8 million orphans, a staggering number largely tied to the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS. The combined pressures of widespread poverty, the ongoing AIDS crisis, and years of economic instability have severely weakened the extended family network that once served as the primary safety net for orphaned children. In generations past, relatives stepped in naturally to care for children who lost their parents. Today, however, the scale of the crisis is so overwhelming that many families simply cannot absorb additional children, even when they desperately want to help. The sheer volume of children left without parents has also strained and, in many areas, exceeded the capacity of community organizations and social services that once played supporting roles in orphan care. As a result, countless children face a life marked by hunger, instability, and a lack of education—conditions that make escaping poverty nearly impossible without outside support.

In response to this profound need, AFCA provides practical, life-changing resources to caregivers of orphaned children, empowering them to build sustainable livelihoods and offer more stable support to the young lives in their care. By supplying small livestock, building essential infrastructure, offering hands-on training, and providing seeds for planting, the program creates pathways to improved nutrition and long-term sustainability. As gardens flourish and livestock begin to multiply, children gain access to healthier, more consistent meals while simultaneously learning valuable skills in agriculture and animal husbandry—skills that not only meet immediate needs but also equip them for future independence.

Children who have long suffered from food insecurity begin receiving the nutritious meals they need to thrive physically and academically. With stronger bodies and clearer minds, they are better able to succeed in school and develop into healthy, capable young adults. At the same time, caregivers participating in AFCA’s livelihood programs gain the ability to generate reliable income, reducing their dependence on outside assistance and strengthening their capacity to support the children long-term. The combination of education, training, and practical experience helps break the cycle of poverty—giving these children more than temporary relief. It offers them the foundation for a brighter, self-sustaining future filled with hope and possibility.

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