Scripture Union Report April 2026

The overall operations and development progress at Scripture Union Chiedza, within the second quarter of year 2026 was noticeable due to successful activities reported below.

Staff, Volunteers and Intern program

Staff	Females	Males	Total
Provincial Coordinator	1		1	The Provincial Coordinator who runs and plans the work in 7 districts of Masvingo province serves as the SU Chiedza project manager as well.
Matron	1		1	The Matron stays with children at the place of safety.
Field officer		1	1	The Field officer who does schools work, serves as the SU Chiedza Youth worker as well.
Administrator	1		1	The Administrator serves as the receptionist, finance and administrative secretary and bookshop assistant.

Overall, the above-mentioned staff members have very heavy workloads. The idea of volunteer engagement would be the best to implement in order to avoid staff burnout.

Interns

Male	Female	Total	Comments
0	2	2	While we appreciate the assistance we get from interns, their period of stay which is 10 months in most cases, leaves SU Chiedza at a point of very limited growth. Most of the time is spent on training these interns yet they do not stay long.

Administrative Updates

April-June 2026 Contact centre and place of safety beneficiaries.

APRIL			MAY			JUNE
Boys	Girls	Total	Boys	Girls	Total	Boys	Girls	Total
3	0	3	5	-	5	4	-	4

Within the reporting period, 12 children were assisted at the contact center and the place of safety. They received psychosocial support activities such as bathing, washing, counselling, feeding, recreation, and spiritual programs like Bible study and prayer. The activities are deliberately intended to develop children socially, spiritually, and morally. Noticeable positive behavior change is observed at different times due to differences in the children’s background and street life exposure.

Activities promoting child wellbeing

 In this reporting period, children participated in camps together with other children from various schools. That enabled them to socialize and learn from other children of their age. At Scripture Union Chiedza, we implement a number of activities promoting children's wellbeing. These activities promote children's wellbeing in physical, emotional, and cognitive development. They also help in building healthy habits, developing positive relationships, and enhancing their self-esteem and resilience. Thus, engaging in play, physical exercise, creative arts, and social interactions supports them in thriving in a balanced and nurturing environment. These activities also foster a sense of security and happiness, which is essential for lifelong wellbeing. Below are key activities:

Psychological Support

SU Chiedza provides counselling which gives children a safe space to express their emotions and challenges. Care givers offer one-on-one or group therapy, helping children develop coping strategies, build resilience, and process traumatic experiences. This support is crucial in promoting emotional wellbeing, self-awareness, and healthy relationships.

Education Sessions on Social Ills

The home conducts education sessions on social ills, equipping children with knowledge and skills to navigate complex issues. Topics include abuse prevention, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS awareness, and life skills. These sessions empower children to make informed decisions, develop healthy relationships, and avoid risky behaviors. By educating children on social ills, the home promotes their safety, well-being, and future success.

Spiritual Support Through Evening Devotions

Devotions provide spiritual guidance and nourishment, fostering a sense of purpose and meaning in the children's lives. Through Bible studies, prayers, and worship sessions, children develop a deeper understanding of their faith and cultivate a personal relationship with God. These sessions, held daily, offer emotional comfort, hope, and inspiration, helping children navigate life's challenges with faith.

Life Skills Training

SU Chiedza provides life skills training, equipping children with practical skills for independent living. Activities like gardening teach children about nutrition, sustainability, and responsibility. Poultry projects develop skills in animal care, entrepreneurship, and food production. House chores foster independence, responsibility, and teamwork. These skills prepare children for adulthood, enabling them to thrive in their future endeavors.

Personal Hygiene

At the place of safety, we emphasize issues of personal hygiene. We teach children essential practices for physical health and well-being. Children learn about proper hygiene habits, sanitation, and health, developing good habits that promote self-esteem and social confidence. By prioritizing personal hygiene, the home helps children maintain their physical health, feel confident in their appearance, and develop healthy relationships with others.

Child Welfare and Development

At Scripture Union Chiedza, we are deeply committed to fostering children so that they can thrive and reach their full potential. Our programming focuses on providing essential care, education, and recreation opportunities for the children.

SU Chiedza offers various sporting activities, promoting physical health, teamwork, and socialization. Team sports like soccer and volleyball encourage collaboration, communication, and healthy competition. Individual sports like athletics develop discipline, perseverance, and self-confidence. Sporting activities help children develop essential life skills, build friendships, and self-actualization. The three boys at the place of safety are very active in sports at school.

Projects and Initiatives

The institution is striving to do chicken rearing projects, microfinance, and farming. These projects provide financial support and increase self-reliance, self-accomplishment, and improve creativity at the institution as well as provide improved nutrition as some are meant for domestic use. They also help children in entrepreneurship and life skills development. Though challenges were faced in this reporting period, the projects shall continue until the set goals are achieved.

Types of projects	Status	Comment
Poultry	Ongoing	The chicken rearing project was started and 3 batches sold through the market. The other two batches failed because the intern, {Matron} by then had no experience in chicken rearing.  That led us to suspend the project up to when we would get someone with that basic knowledge about broiler chicken rearing.
Crop farming	Ongoing	The children harvested 5 bags of maize, 5 bags of groundnuts and 5kgs of sugar beans. There were not enough funds for contract workers to help out with work while children were at school.  That reduced the harvest.

Community Engagement and Partnerships.

Scripture Union Chiedza, within the reporting period, worked together with government departments like Ministries of Health, Social Welfare, Education, Youth, and Women. We recognize the vital role that community engagement and partnerships play in enriching the lives of the children we serve. We are actively working to build strong connections with nearby schools to educate the younger generation about social issues that can hinder their academic journey.

 Challenges faced.

• There is understaffing, and the work faces delays as the few staff fail to meet deadlines. Volunteer engagement would be a key solution for the meantime while resources are gathered in order to have staff workers for the US Chiedza project.

• The broiler chicken project has not done as well as expected. More training is needed for those responsible so that they gain the necessary skills.

• The vetting process for the microfinance takes long since we are wanting to get those who would be serious about their businesses.

  
  

Achievements

• We successfully facilitated the reunification of 1 child with his family. This was a major milestone for us after a long period of family tracing.

• We ran a high school camp, and our children from the place of safety participated.

• 9 children continued well with their education.

• The microfinance had 6 young adults whose businesses are ongoing. 

  
  

Plans for next quarter (July to September)

1. Resuming the broiler project

2.  Carrying out psychosocial camps for the children to address their psychosocial needs

3. Adding more young adults to the microfinance program

4. Running GBV prevention programs through schools.

Acknowledgement

Scripture Union Chiedza acknowledges all board members and advisors for their consistent support.  The organization has established and maintained strong partnerships with various