Zimbabwe – Building opportunities together
The preparation for our 2026 project actually began in September 2025. After completing the Tanzania project, Nicole, Monique and Branko travelled on to Zimbabwe to explore the possibilities for a new initiative. This first assessment laid the foundation for what would eventually become an impactful volunteer journey in May 2026 with a team of eight dedicated participants.
Much of the work had already started before our arrival. In March, local builders began constructing the foundations for new classrooms at Lupinyu Primary School. This phase was completed within the same month, after which the prefabricated classrooms were relocated to their permanent location in April. All of these activities were funded by the foundation. In addition, we initiated the repair of damaged school furniture so that everything would be ready for our arrival and we could continue improving the learning environment together.
Our Team
This year’s team consisted of Nicole, Monique and Branko (Yourright Foundation), together with Mathijs, David, Calvin, Ettie and Soe. In Victoria Falls, Dayness joined us from Tanzania, completing the team.
Five Projects, One Shared Mission
During our time in Zimbabwe, we worked on five different initiatives, each with its own focus but united by the same goal: creating opportunities and strengthening communities.
1. Rescue Dogs for Wildlife
Mathijs departed for Zimbabwe on 7 May to spend two weeks volunteering with Rescue Dogs for Wildlife. This remarkable organisation rescues dogs from shelters that would otherwise face euthanasia and trains them to become highly skilled conservation and anti-poaching dogs.
These dogs play a crucial role in protecting endangered wildlife by tracking poachers, locating evidence, assisting in search-and-rescue operations and supporting conservation efforts in key wildlife areas. Mathijs supported the organisation with its daily activities, and we were also able to donate a substantial amount of medical supplies.
2. Lupinyu Primary School
At Lupinyu Primary School, our focus was on furnishing the new classrooms and assisting with the repair of damaged school furniture. We also organised a variety of educational and recreational activities for the children, ranging from physical games to brain-teasing challenges.
Particularly popular were the financial literacy game and the teddy bear-making workshops, which generated a great deal of enthusiasm among the students.
3. Mkhosana Adventist Primary School
At Mkhosana Adventist Primary School, which has a dedicated class for children with special educational needs, Ettie spent her time sharing her expertise as a paediatric physiotherapist.
Working alongside teacher Miss B. and local physiotherapist Caro, she introduced specialised equipment brought from the Netherlands, including children’s walking frames, balance boards and a trampoline. During her time at the school, significant progress was made with several of the children.
4. Wild Hope
Wild Hope provides a safe and supportive after-school environment for vulnerable children aged 5 to 18.
We visited the centre on three occasions to organise workshops, including teddy bear-making and keychain crafting activities, and to play our financial literacy game. We also donated a large quantity of clothing and educational materials, helping to support the children and their development.
5. Free to be Wild
During the final week of our stay, we travelled from Victoria Falls to Bulawayo to volunteer at Free to be Wild.
Working alongside head animal caretaker Trust and his team, we helped provide daily care, enrichment and rehabilitation for 89 rescued animals recovering at the sanctuary.
Collaboration, Connection and Experience
Throughout our stay, we divided our time between the various projects, often supported by the team from Children in the Wilderness.
Alongside the hard work, there was also time to experience the beauty of Zimbabwe. We stayed in a backpackers lodge in Victoria Falls, complete with a swimming pool and evening campfires. We visited the world-famous Victoria Falls and enjoyed a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.
One of the highlights of the trip was celebrating the official handover of the new classrooms together with the children of Lupinyu Primary School. That same evening, we hosted a networking dinner for all project partners and stakeholders involved.
Looking Back
We look back on an intensive, diverse and highly rewarding project in which collaboration, commitment and connection were at the heart of everything we achieved.
Would you like to see what we experienced each day? Take a look at our Polarsteps journey and follow our adventure from start to finish.
