Every morning in Chiredzi district, located in the southeastern part of Zimbabwe, bordering Mozambique and known for its sugarcane production, 12-year-old Rudo* (not real name) wakes up excited to put on her school uniform and head to school. For her, school is not just lessons- it is a place of hope, friendship, and the promise of a brighter future.
Rudo, 12, from Zimbabwe is in class, learning her favorite subject, English. Rudo had missed out on school for two years. She is happy to be in school and she dreams of a brighter future. Cynthia Chimbunde/Save the Children
Rudo is in Grade four and her favourite subject is English. She lights up with joy when she talks about her dream of becoming a nurse when she grows up.
“I love school because I learn new things every day and I am happy I can be with my friends. I want to pass so that I can become a nurse when I grow up.”
Her teacher, Ms Maredza describes her as a hardworking and determined girl: “Rudo works hard, she is confident, and she comes to school on time every day. She has a lot of potential to achieve her dreams. We all need to continue supporting her.”
This joy of learning was once out of Rudo’s reach. She missed two years of school because her family could not afford her education costs. Instead of being in class, she would accompany her grandmother to nearby farms, taking on small piece jobs just to earn little money for food.
“I felt sad because I couldn’t go to school and I was missing out on so much,” she said.
Through a Save the Children, European Union-funded Fighting Child Labour and Child Trafficking project implemented in partnership with Coalition against Child Labour in Zimbabwe (CACLAZ), awareness campaigns were held in Rudo’s community. Together with the police and the Department of Social Welfare, community leaders, teachers and many other stakeholders, the campaigns spread a powerful message: children belong in school, not at work. These campaigns helped to shift community attitudes, creating an opportunity for children like Rudo to return to school.
A goat-rearing project supported by CACLAZ at Rudo’s school helped in raising funds for learners’ needs—covering school fees, uniforms, and books. The EU-funded Fighting Child Labour and Child Trafficking project built on these efforts by reinforcing the importance of keeping children in school and shunning child labour, ensuring that the financial support provided through the goat project was matched with community awareness and commitment.
Now, instead of worrying about the future, Rudo talks about it with confidence. She knows that with education, her dreams are within reach.
“I want to do well in school so I can change my life and help my family,” she said.
For her, being back to school is more than just learning—it is a chance to realise her dreams, and she is grabbing it with both hands.
By Cynthia Chimbunde
