Our Timeline

2009-10: Founded in the United States as a 501(c)3 tax exempt organisation, run by volunteers only

2011: Financed a connected computer room for Emerald Hill Children’s Home housing 20 second hand desktops, benefiting 150 low-income students. $20,399 raised, $16,422 deployed (incl. $1,675 of overheads)

2012: Georgina (Founder) spends 4 months in Zimbabwe on a self-financed trip to develop new programmes. First Career Day is funded for ~100 underprivileged youths in Harare alongside Toyota Zimbabwe and PrintWorks. ~$300 deployed (no overheads).

2013: The “Gift of Education” campaign is launched, funding 18 students (mostly girls) to take vocational courses at Harare Polytechnic in such courses as Baking, Garment Sewing, Professional Cookery, and Mechanics. $15,614 raised, $7,369 deployed (incl. $539 of overheads).

2014: Second phase of Gift of Education campaign, sending 29 students to Harare Polytechnic and 1 student to University in South Africa. Funded a second successful Career Day for 75 students to help inspire and guide them professionally. $8,932 raised, $10,654 deployed (incl. $521 of overheads).

2015: Success of Gift of Education campaigns means ZOF continues to fund vocational courses for underprivileged children. Scholarships continued for 15 girls + 1 boy who are taking multi-year courses. $13,060 raised, $8,006 deployed (incl. $100 overheads).

2016: Nine students receive Gift of Education scholarships. $2,362 raised, $7,000 deployed (no overheads).

2017-2018: pause in ZOF Africa’s funding activities as the banking system in Zimbabwe is at a standstill and charges heavily for all incoming wire transfers (~25% of their value). $8,383 raised, no funds deployed.

2019: Eight Gift of Education scholarships awarded. $7,000 raised; $7,007 deployed (no overheads).

2020: Three Gift of Education scholarships awarded; Partnership established with Dutch charity Sitchting Weeshuis Emerald Hill.

2021: Impact assessment conducted of Gift of Education programme between 2013-2020. Results found that of the 23 alumni interviewed, all were either employed or still pursuing higher level studies. Programmes funded include: Six Gift of Education scholarships awarded; drone engineering workshop funded; mentoring and psychosocial support provided for 15 low-income students; six used laptops and 1 used iphone donated.

Cleary Gottlieb become our pro bono lawyers.  UK tax exemption received. New volunteers Timon, Alon, Claudia are onboarded. $5,800 raised, $2,100 deployed (incl. $302 net overheads).

2022: “Digital Tomorrow” campaign launched to fund the digital technology education for low-income students. Sponsored 37 students in such subjects as coding & robotics and coding & drones. 43 students receive Gift of Education grants for short courses. Systemiq Ltd donates 14 laptops which are all sent to support low-income students in Zimbabwe. $25,000 raised total, $17,500 deployed.