Mashambanzou Care Trust - (SPOTS) 2024 - 2025

Mashambanzou Care Trust continues to provide quality health care and treatment to its patients even with a strain on their resources both human and financial. The issue of human resources, however is now at a positive advanced stage as the institution is finalizing with the government, to receive human resources in the form of teachers and nurses, which is going to subsidize their budget greatly. VIAC Cancer Screening Because MCU had established VIAC Cancer Screening, it has enabled a lot of clients to be tested and most have been tested during the field visits which has allowed them to be referred if tested VIAC positive. 202 women were screened during the period under review and 12 of those screened were recorded VIAC positive. Among these, were those that were eligible for other types of treatments , but there was one that was suspected and confirmed of cancer, who was referred for further treatment and management. Nenyere Day Care Centre Mashambanzou Care Trust successfully enrolled students at the Nenyere Day Care Centre as per plans it should also be noted that formalization of the day care centre was completed. This means the centre is now formally registered with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Schools. During the period under review, the centre managed to enroll 64 students from the usual 60 students including both ECD A and ECD B students. Health care assessments for the students were also carried out during the year and 5 learners who were identified of complicated conditions were referred to Mashambanzou Care Unit for further medical attentions while others were being treated for ring worms and respiratory infections. Safe Houses The institution has been able to maintain safe houses for care of abused children in need, those with mothers suffering from psychiatric conditions and also those with mothers who are admitted at the Care Unit. These safe houses have also been a secure environment where children can escape from abusive situations. The facilities offer counselling and therapeutic services and also assisting children to process and heal from their trauma. MCT has been working with the Department of Social Development and the ZRP Victim Friendly Unit to promote and safeguard children's interests. MCT currently manages 2 safe houses which offer temporary shelter to orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). The capacity of the 2 houses is 7 children each. During the year, 28 children (16 females and 12 males) have been accommodated at both houses. Nutritional support and a few groceries were given to the children and those that were unwell received medical care at Mashambanzou Care Unit. MCT also follows up on family tracing and reunification and has seen 3 orphans who had been in the safe house since 2017 being reunited with their aunt, with periodic visits to follow up on their situation. One orphan had turned 18 and was reunited with her grandmother through the department of social welfare. Birth Registration Mashambanzou Care Trust managed to support 52 birth registrations for OVC´s and 6 adults were also supported to get identity documents in the period under review. Income Generating Activities In the institutions bid to improve income earning capacity and nutrition for PLWHIV and creating a sustainable environment for the institution, MCT conducted training on business management facilitated by an external consultant, which fist assessed the knowledge on business management and then adopted grassroots approach to train on business management. Participants were engaged in writing down business proposals which they presented, encouraging participation, feedback, sharing and collaboration. 11 individuals were then assisted with income generating activities starter packs valued at $170.00, to get them started so that they are then able to access basic needs and be able to send children to school and access health care thorough the proceeds of the IGA packs. The businesses receiving the packs were categorised into second hand clothing, dried foods, baby wear, plastic ware and nursery school items. Monitoring visits were then conducted to follow up on the activities and recommendations given to each individual which included enhanced record keeping, individualised support plans and market insight sessions that they needed to attend. The institution would then continue to follow up on the beneficiaries including the 2 who could not be reached in the initial follow up. Nutritional Support Mashambanzou Care Trust also received funding to start market gardening at the premises and at the safe houses that would be a nutritional sustainability measure. 2 boreholes were drilled at both the Mlambo Safe house and MCT premises which are solar powered to allow continuity during load shedding. A nutritional garden will be beneficial to support nutritional needs at the care unit for admitted patients and also supporting the children at the safe houses. Access to Comprehensive SRHR MCT´s objective is to provide improved access to comprehensive SRHR services to PLWHIV and their families through the family centred approach. The institution has used gatherings such as soccer tournaments in the areas of Hopley to promote education on SRHR and providing information on the same. 150 boys and 84 girls were reached during they year. MCT has also provided menstrual packs to adolescent girls and 600 sanitary pads were distributed to girls in Hopely, Glen Norah, Highfields, Mbare, Mabvuku-Tafara and Caledonia. It was noted that there was need for more activities that needed to be carried out taking advantage of the huge turnout at the tournaments and also activities that directly involved the rest of the family.

Overall Goal is: Improved access to SRHR, Health Care and Rights by 2025. Objectives of the intervention include; 1. Improved access to integrated HIV and AIDS, care and support serices to PLWH. 2. Improved access to comprehensive Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Services to PLWH and their families through the family centred approach. 3. Improved income earning capacity and nutrition for PLWH. 4. Improved access to ecuation, protection and nutritional support amongst children in need.