What We Do
Psycho Social Support Groups for Special Needs Parents.
Safe Haven Zimbabwe held its first ever Parents Support Network Meeting in 2014. Since then, the Parents Support Network has continued to grow with members from across Zimbabwe and beyond. Pre – Covid era physical meetings were held in Mbare, Caledonia, Rusape, Mutare, Bulawayo and Zvimba. These meetings provided a platform to equip parents on practical things they can do at home in order for them to help their children with special needs reach their potential. Some of the topics covered include occupational therapy aspects like toilet training, puberty and adolescence, feeding, speech development, physiotherapy, acceptance, counselling etc. Post Covid, most of the support has now been offered online through our WhatsApp platform.
Specialised Education Facility
Safe Haven Zimbabwe has established a specialized education facility for learners affected by autism and related neurological disorders. Autism is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. Those affected have problems in social communication and interaction, restricted and repetitive behaviours and interests. The educational facility has been operating since September 2021.
The main goal has been to complement government efforts in ensuring that each child gets to exercise their right to education whether they have a disability or not. Students enrolled range from the age of 4 or the age of 15. Our target market are those who are moderate to severe. Our facility has adopted a multi-disciplinary approach and the staff complement of the school is comprised of:
• Specialist teachers
• Child Development Psychologists
• Social Workers
• Speech Therapists
The variance between chronological age and developmental age makes it difficult for those affected by autism to cope within mainstream society or mainstream schools hence the need for facilities like ours which are autism specific.
We offer the following services at our school:
• Basic academics
• Adaptive skills – bathing, washing of dishes, laundry, sweeping, cooking, moping, brushing of teeth, dressing, applying lotion, toileting.
• Speech therapy
• Home visits
• Extra – Curricular Activities: swimming, rugby, music & dance
Vocational Skills Training Centre
Safe Haven Zimbabwe is set to start operating vocational skills training centre for our adult students in January 2025. Whilst the main target is for those who are 18 years of age and above all our students will have access to this place. Vocational skills training is very important for those affected by autism so as to help them find an occupation that may possibly result in some income for them.
Another aspect that is always overlooked is that this place will serve as a stimulating place for those no longer accommodated at the educational facility. Whilst it may be the reality that not all will be able to excel in the projects given that our facilities cater for those who are moderate to severe, the place will continue to be a safe haven for all our learners where they continue to receive individualized care.
In Zimbabwe, when a child turns 18, schools are no longer able to accommodate and for those with special needs the next destination is being home without anything productive going on for them.
The children we enrol require to be under the care and love of their parents / caregivers for life. This therefore means that our Vocational Skills Training Centre will provide much-needed relief for parents as well as helping the affected adult in a holistic manner.
Our offering:
•Each adult will have an Individualised Plan
•Basic academics
•Speech Therapy
•Adaptive skills
•Farming activities
•Chicken projects
•Rabbit projects
•Home visits
Specialist Teachers' Training
Safe Haven Zimbabwe has also taken to offering short training courses to Specialist Teachers and other personnel who work with children affected by autism since August 2022. Given the complexities that come with autism especially in behaviour management, some specialist teachers find it extremely difficult to teach those affected hence the need for such trainings.