YMCA Gweru Zimbabwe

17/08/2026

Youth Day Commemoration: Empowering Youth Through Local Climate Action
Under the banner of this year’s theme, "Different Contexts, Common Aspirations," the YMCA convened a physical "power-space" focused on the realities of climate change. The event brought young people together to confront shared vulnerabilities and co-create practical adaptation strategies suited to their local contexts.
Participants mapped out the severe local impacts of climate change, which manifest as natural disasters, acute water scarcity, failed harvests, collapsed agricultural ventures, forced migration and health crises. Crucially, the discussion highlighted how these environmental stressors compound social vulnerabilities, leading to a rise in gender-based violence, early marriages, and disproportionate hardships for persons with disabilities.
To turn these shared challenges into actionable resilience, participants outlined key structural and community-led solutions such as
- Policy & Governance: Mandating proactive government disaster management for cyclones and floods, alongside inclusive healthcare and climate strategies that prioritize persons with disabilities.
- Community Engagement: Moving past discussion into active, community-wide implementation and educating children on sustainable practices like waste management.
- Resource & Food Security: Adopting rainwater harvesting, testing soil, using organic fertilizers and shifting to drought-resilient crops and climate-smart ventures.
- Economic Empowerment: Promoting multi-skilling for youth to diversify income, directly mitigating the financial desperation that drives child marriages.
The powerspace concluded with interactive climate-themed games including Climate Scrabble, Climate Ladder, and Climate Warriors vs. Polluters, which reinforced strategic thinking around mitigation and adaptation. Ultimately, the power-space demonstrated that while climate impacts vary, the aspiration for a resilient, dignified future unites all youth.

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YMCA ZIMBABWE YMCA Africa
Environmental Management Agency

06/08/2026

Protecting our environment is no longer just an option, it is an urgent collective responsibility.

YMCA hosted a high-impact Environmental Laws and Policy Training, bringing together key stakeholders and youth to champion sustainable development and climate resilience.

We were honored to feature a vibrant team from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), who unpacked the foundational Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27]. This vital piece of legislation guides the protection, conservation and sustainable use of Zimbabwe’s natural resources.

📌Key Takeaways from the Training:
Zero Tolerance for Illegal Waste & Pollution: Discharging waste illegally or dumping hazardous materials (such as chemicals, mercury and oils) into rivers and the environment is a severe offense under the EMA Act, carrying penalties of up to five years imprisonment or heavy fines.
Protection of Sensitive Ecosystems: Wetlands are ecologically critical areas, any activity that degrades, pollutes, or encroaches upon them is strictly punishable by law.
Air Quality & Vehicle Emissions: Motor vehicle carbon dioxide and heavy gas emissions are regulated under the law. Vehicles failing to meet environmental standards face strict fines.

💡 Understanding Climate Change
Participants explored the science of climate change, differentiating it from climate variability and identified human-induced drivers like deforestation and uncontrolled burning alongside natural factors.

🌍Local Action Meets Global Frameworks
Our local community actions are directly tied to national blueprints and global goals:
National Frameworks: Aligned with the National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS) and Zimbabwe’s revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which target critical sectors like energy, waste, agriculture, forestry and land use.
Global Commitment (SDG 13): The training strongly emphasized our contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action), focusing on strengthening resilience, disaster preparedness and institutional capacity for a sustainable future.

🚹🚺 The Role of Communities & Traditional Leadership
Combating climate change requires all hands on deck. The session highlighted powerful ways our communities can step up:
Mitigation: Shifting to renewable energy, planting trees (carbon sinks) and turning waste into economic value through recycling/monetization.
Adaptation: Adopting climate-resilient crops, practicing rainwater harvesting and building climate-smart infrastructure.
Inclusion: Empowering farmers, youths in transport, women, and marginalized groups to actively participate in planning meetings, utilize indigenous knowledge and monitor environmental projects.
Traditional Leadership: Mobilizing grassroots support and guiding community-led conservation efforts.
Let’s protect our environment, respect our laws and secure a greener, climate-resilient future for generations to come.

part of the change today.
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YMCA ZIMBABWE YMCA Africa Environmental Management Agency

30/07/2026

GEO Connect and American Corner Gweru hosted an incredible training session on KoboToolbox.
The main goal was to equip participants with top-tier digital tools for seamless data collection and analysis.

Why KoboToolbox?

1. Free & Open Source Founded in 2005 to support organizations worldwide.
2. Offline Capable: Collect data seamlessly even without an active internet connection.
3. Secure & Scalable: Perfect for everything from localized community projects to massive national surveys
4. Cost-Effective & User-Friendly: Ideal for teams with limited resources.
Participants explored the core stages of form creation, project management, data collection and analysis.

Best Practices were emphasis on the importance of defining survey purposes and drafting questionnaires before jumping into form building.

Participants created their own KoboToolbox accounts and walked step-by-step through building a live form.
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YMCA ZIMBABWE YMCA Africa U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe

17/07/2026

Climate Change Is Also a Health Crisis

Climate change is often associated with droughts, floods, heatwaves and other natural disasters, but its impact goes far beyond what we can see. It also affects our health, our well-being and our future.

Through an interactive online Power Space discussion, young people explored the hidden health impacts of climate change. Participants reflected on how prolonged droughts contribute to food insecurity and malnutrition, how flooding increases the risk of malaria and how water scarcity can lead to disease outbreaks such as cholera. The discussion also highlighted the often-overlooked mental health effects of climate-related disasters, including trauma, stress and anxiety.

The conversation inspired participants to think about practical solutions, including climate-smart agriculture, protecting wetlands, creating greener urban spaces and strengthening community awareness. Together, these actions can help build healthier, more resilient communities.

Climate change is not only an environmental challenge, it is also a public health, social and economic issue. By raising awareness, promoting sustainable practices and working together, we can protect both our planet and our people.

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YMCA ZIMBABWE YMCA Africa

15/07/2026

Celebrating World Youth Skills Day

Today, we celebrate World Youth Skills Day, honoring the potential of young people everywhere and their power to shape tomorrow's Africa and world.
This year's theme, "Skills for a Shared Future," reminds us that thriving today takes more than technical know-how, it takes empathy, resilience and adaptability too.
This is what Meaningful Work means to us, empowering young people to lead, contribute and thrive.

15/07/2026

Did You Know?

15/07/2026

The Day of the African Child was commemorated at Makulambila Secondary School in Lower Gwelo under the theme, "Ensuring Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) for every child in Africa".
The event brought together children, community and traditional leaders, government representatives and other stakeholders to reaffirm a shared commitment to protecting and empowering every child.

Beyond celebrating the resilience and courage of African children who fought for their right to education, the day highlighted the urgent need to guarantee safe water, improved sanitation and hygiene for all children especially the girl child.

Young leaders passionately called for greater investment in menstrual health, girl-friendly sanitation facilities and practical skills that enable girls to make reusable sanitary wear. They also inspired their peers to dream big and prepare for a future where innovation, digital skills and education open doors to new opportunities.

Children themselves took centre stage by voicing the challenges they face every day, including inadequate toilets, limited access to clean water and sanitary products, overcrowded classrooms and the need for better access to computers and the internet. Their voices served as a powerful reminder that meaningful solutions begin by listening to children.

The event was also filled with vibrant cultural performances, poetry and songs promoting good hygiene, environmental stewardship and community responsibility. Parents, teachers and community members joined hands in reinforcing the message that creating a safe and healthy environment for children is everyone's responsibility.

As we reflect on this important day, let us renew our commitment to ensuring that every child has access to clean water, safe sanitation, quality education and the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Together, we can build a future where no child is left behind.
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YMCA ZIMBABWE YMCA Africa Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training

10/07/2026

Over the past 3 days, aspiring and emerging content creators in Gweru drawn from civil society organizations, arts industry and individuals have challenged themselves to think creatively, sharpen their storytelling skills and redefine what it means to create impactful digital content.
Throughout the bootcamp, participants explored the fundamentals of content creation, digital storytelling, photography and videography, social media strategy, branding, audience growth, ethical content creation, monetization opportunities and practical production skills. Each session was designed to equip creators with the knowledge, confidence and tools needed to build sustainable careers in the digital creative economy.
This marks the end of the bootcamp, but it is only the beginning of an exciting journey. We are confident that these creators will transform their skills into powerful stories, build influential platforms, create meaningful opportunities and inspire positive change within their communities and beyond.
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Spaces Gweru
YMCA ZIMBABWE YMCA Africa
U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe

10/07/2026

YMCA joined key stakeholders at the Stakeholders Engagement and Sensitization Meeting on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the Workplace, convened by WICO Zimbabwe Women in Community Zimbabwe (WICO) in partnership with NANGO and the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development.

The engagement provided a valuable platform for stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, share experiences and explore practical strategies for preventing and responding to Gender-Based Violence within workplaces. Discussions highlighted the importance of creating safe, respectful and inclusive working environments where every employee can thrive free from violence, harassment and discrimination.

A key highlight of the event was the launch of WICO's digital GBV platform, an innovative resource designed to improve access to information and support services. The platform provides users with GBV information, emergency contacts, referral pathways, safety tips and other essential resources to help survivors and communities access timely assistance while promoting awareness and prevention.

Gender-Based Violence is not only a family or community issue, it is also a workplace issue. Raising awareness and strengthening workplace systems enables organizations to protect employees, enhance wellbeing and productivity, uphold human rights and contribute to more equitable and resilient communities.

We remain committed to promoting gender equality, safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people and partnering with like-minded organizations to prevent Gender-Based Violence and foster workplaces where everyone feels safe, respected and empowered.
YMCA ZIMBABWE YMCA Africa
NANGO Midlands

09/07/2026

YMCA participated in the City of Gweru Waste Characterization Survey, an important milestone towards building a cleaner, greener and more sustainable city.

It was more than just collecting waste, it was about collecting knowledge that will shape the future of Gweru. The Waste Characterization Survey is generating the evidence needed to understand the quantity, composition and sources of waste produced by our households and businesses. This information will inform smarter planning, strengthen recycling and composting systems, improve waste collection and disposal services, guide environmental policies and by-laws, support budget planning and enhance public awareness programmes. Reliable data is the foundation of effective waste management, enabling us to move from simply reacting to waste challenges to planning sustainable solutions for the future.

One of the most powerful lessons from this exercise is that waste should no longer be viewed as something to be discarded, but as a valuable resource. Through recycling, composting, reuse and innovation, waste has the potential to create jobs, protect our environment and contribute to a circular economy.

This initiative also reminds us of the urgent need for climate action. Globally, billions of tonnes of solid waste are generated every year, making waste one of the largest contributors to climate change. Yet nearly 80% of waste can be recycled, while only a small fraction is currently recovered. By improving how we manage waste, we reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve natural resources, protect public health and contribute directly to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Data collected will become the baseline for tomorrow's decisions. The findings will strengthen Gweru's Solid Waste Management Strategy, guide future investments, improve service delivery and provide valuable information for government, development partners, researchers and organisations working to build sustainable communities.

This survey demonstrates that meaningful change begins with informed decisions and collective action. Every household that participated, every sample collected and every piece of data recorded is helping build a healthier, cleaner, more resilient and more prosperous Gweru for present and future generations.

Together, we are proving that environmental stewardship is everyone's responsibility and that collaboration is the key to creating cities that are clean, climate-resilient and sustainable.

Together, we are not just managing waste, we are transforming it into opportunity, protecting our environment and building a legacy of sustainability for generations to come.
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YMCA ZIMBABWE YMCA Africa Gweru City Council