Dzikwa Activity Centre

 

The idea for an activity centre was born back in 2002, but our growing work with the orphans was so time-consuming that it was over a year before we able to approach the City of Harare with our project. In December 2006, we finally signed the purchase contract for a plot of building land 0.5 hectares in size. This is a little smaller than we would have liked but otherwise it is ideal as it is situated in the heart of Dzivarasekwa, sandwiched between the police station and the Rujeko Health Clinic.

In April 2007, we published a brochure that we have used when approaching various bodies and individuals to raise the budgeted one million euros needed to make our project come true. We have been granted an official fund-raising permit in Finland (OKH137A). The revised cost estimate in 2009 was €600,000. 

The funds for the purchase of the land and the plans for the initial stages of the project were generously donated by sources in Scotland and England. Our intention is to proceed with the building work only as and when we have raised the necessary funds.

Although the bulk of the funding is still not in place, the corner stone was laid on 12 November 2007. Present at the ceremony were many eminent guests, some from as far afield as Scotland.

In 2010 we made great progress: in May the basketball court was ready and in November we celebrated the official opening of the 300 square metre kitchen block.  It houses the following facilities:  

  • a modern kitchen
  • a dining hall seating 120 children, which also serves as a study area for homework and, if necessary, as an assembly hall or cinema  
  • toilets and showers
  • store rooms

In 2011 we completed the 180 square metre ICT block. This houses

  • a classroom for 20 IT students
  • an internet access point for the community,
  • store rooms

The last building to go up will be the 180 square metre office block. This will house

  • a conference area with a room divider that can also be used for extra lessons or group work
  • a library
  • offices for field workers and the accountant
  • store rooms

Also on the Activity Centre are a vegetable garden, a bore-hole with water storage tanks and a caretaker's cottage.

The Dzikwa Activity Centre grounds are surrounded by a protective wall fitted with a gate.

Later, the site plan and building schedule will be added here.

For the latest pictures of our Activity Centre, please go to the Gallery.