A beacon of hope, a place of strength and a chance to be a born again, the church of God in Zimbabwe through its council, the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) has implemented a strategic plan to offer support, empowerment and access of information to the youths.
In a bid to reduce the number of irregular migrations which are been caused mainly by poverty, limited opportunities and lack of access to vital information, the council with the government ministries and law enforcements agency has urged the youths to remain steadfast in every adversary they are facing.
The council has implemented the Accelerated Ecumenical Intervention for the Reduction of Risky Flight (AEIRRF) project in February, as a means of bringing hope to the hopeless youths.
With thousands of youths crossing to other borders, for better opportunities, empowerments and employment. It has been recorded that the youths are facing far worser situations such as sexual abuse and racism. Zimbabwe Council of Council (ZCC) in the communities of Chipinge, Chimanimani, Mwenezi, Gwanda and Bulilima, to address the root cause of irregular migration. The project strengthens the role of the church and its partners in responding to the vulnerabilities that push young people towards unserved migration.
“Irregular migration has destroyed the lives of our friends and family members have left home in search of better opportunities, only to face unimaginable hardship,” said one parent.
The project was placed in the components, the multidisciplinary expert facility and school social work both designed to tackle the psychological and structural challenges pushing the youths into dangerous migration paths.
Creating a voice in the project, through sports such as soccer, netball and volleyball, the church led effort project focused on raising awareness and empowering youths to make informed decisions.
“Through soccer, I have found purpose. When I play soccer, nothing else matters,” a youth with no name supplied said.
Commenting on the project, Zimbabwe Council of Church (ZCC) secretary, Reverend Wilfred Dimingu said the main focus of the project is to help and equip the youth with opportunities that make them thrive in their communities.
“This project is our reform as a church and Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC). Prime intervention to address the root causes of migration, while equipping our youths with opportunities that allow them to thrive within their own communities. As Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), we have listened to this painful story and recognized our moral responsibility to act,” the sectary has said.
Zimbabwe Council of Churches is an 31 ecumenical organization. It is a fellowship of Christian churches and organizations that confess Jesus Christ as God and saviour.
