Zibusiso Gumbo

In this picture, three young boys can be seen supporting each other as they carry water from their primary school's well, to the classroom. This photo was taken at a primary school in Lupane, Zimbabwe in July 2022. How was I able to interact so closely with this lovely class of young intellectuals you may be wondering? Well, in 2014, my mother and my aunt, who are both natives to Zimbabwe, began a non-profit organization: Baobab Strong. Baobab Strong was created to support Zimbabweans in rural communities through numerous livelihood projects. Some examples of projects that the organization has been able to fulfill are: assisting early childhood development schools with financing and resources, and providing classes to locals in income generating fields like carpentry and nursing care. Education is a critical determinant of health, and can be the bridge to a whole new world of opportunities for those who often aren't afforded them. According to the World Health Organization, it is even more important for children to start school early when they are also being stressed by poor nutrition, which is why early childhood development schools are becoming a mandate for many developing countries. There is still an incredible amount of work to be done in closing this gap, but seeing the work that my mother has done and how it has positively affected these communities makes me feel hopeful. Notes could definitely be taken from her about how to work at a local community level to influence change, and maybe take that to an even larger scale. If you would like to learn more about her organization, visit baobabstrong.org.