From lived experience to community action
Uyanaka Trust was founded in September 2018 by Yvonne Ndiweni and Lucid Kadzima, out of a passion for service and lived experience of orphanhood. The organisation began by identifying and supporting orphans and vulnerable children in Bulilima and Mazowe districts through school fees, uniforms, food, counselling, and community support.
Today, Uyanaka Trust builds on this foundation by addressing the wider drivers of child vulnerability — poverty, food insecurity, climate shocks, school dropout, caregiver hardship, gender-based violence, and limited access to basic services.
Our Mission
To protect and empower orphans, vulnerable children, women, caregivers, and crisis-affected households through education, child protection, food security, health, WASH, livelihoods, and climate resilience programmes.
Our Vision
A Zimbabwe where every vulnerable child and household lives with dignity, safety, opportunity, and resilience.
What guides our work
Compassion
We respond to human need with empathy and respect for dignity.
Accountability
We are transparent and answerable to communities and partners.
Integrity
We act honestly and uphold the highest ethical standards.
Inclusion
We reach the most vulnerable and leave no one behind.
Community leadership
Solutions are designed and owned by local people.
Child protection
The safety and wellbeing of children come first, always.
Resilience
We build the capacity of households to withstand shocks.
Partnership
We achieve more by working with others.
How change happens
Work with schools, health workers and local leaders to find the most vulnerable.
Deliver education, protection, food, WASH and livelihood support.
Build household resilience and community safeguarding systems.
Dignity, safety, opportunity and resilience that lasts.
2018 to today
Founded
Established in September 2018 by Yvonne Ndiweni and Lucid Kadzima, driven by lived experience of orphanhood and a passion for service.
Educational Assistance Project
Identified 75 orphans and vulnerable children in Bulilima and Mazowe with schools, health workers and village heads; mobilised crowdfunding for school fees.
Solusi Primary & household support
Donated uniforms, stationery and bags to 20 children; supported a child-headed household of four with food, counselling and essentials.
Christmas clothing support
Donated clothing to 50 children across Bulilima District.
Orphanage outreach
Visited a Harare orphanage providing groceries and counselling support.
Repositioning
Expanding into food security, livelihoods, WASH, GBV prevention and climate resilience as a donor-ready NGO.
Leadership & oversight
Board and team profiles are placeholders and will be completed as governance structures are formalised.
Yvonne Duduzile Ndiweni
Co-Founder & Director
Lucid Kadzima
Co-Founder
Gladwin Rutsito
Programmes & Partnerships
Board Member
Governance (placeholder)
Board Member
Finance & Audit (placeholder)
Safeguarding Lead
Child Protection (placeholder)
Safeguarding statement
The safety and wellbeing of children come first in everything we do. We are committed to child protection and safeguarding across all our programmes. Read our policy →
Local leadership
We are a locally led organisation. Our programmes are designed, delivered and owned by the communities we serve — working with local leaders, caregivers, schools and volunteers.