We extend a warm welcome to Simbarashe Crispen Kanyimo, Tariro’s new Executive Coordinator in Harare, Zimbabwe!
Simbarashe grew up in Chiredzi and attended one of the leading mission high schools in Zimbabwe (St. Anthonys High School). He then attended a local university and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in English and Communication Studies with Education. After graduation, he taught at St.Anthonys High School where he served as the guidance and counselling teacher in charge.
He left teaching in 2008 to join the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council Global fund where he served as Youth Health Coordinator, working to fund Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health. Simbarashe worked closely with the youth in raising awareness on HIV and AIDS and other sexual and reproductive health and rights issues in Chiredzi district. He was instrumental in the set up of an anti-retroviral centre at Chikombedzi Mission Hospital through his lobbying and advocacy efforts.
In 2012, Simbarashe joined the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) as a Programs Officer –Educator where he was part of an eight man team that successfully implemented two projects: 1. ) The Youth Education Pack- a vocational and life skills training project that targeted vulnerable internally displaced youth in Mutare, Chiredzi and Chipinge as well as refugees at Tongogara Refugee Camp, and 2.) The Second Chance Learning Project – targeting school dropouts, particularly girls and young mothers in difficult circumstances, giving them an opportunity to return to school. These two projects were co-implemented with a number of partners and government ministries, namely the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Ministry of Youth, Caritas Masvingo, Simukai, COPAZ, FACT Chiredzi and the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe.
Simbarashe then joined the Centre for Cultural Development Initiatives (CCDI) in January 2015 where he coordinated the education and health portfolio. CCDI is a local trust that works with indigenous communities in the Southern Lowveld of Zimbabwe.
Simbarashe has acquired a number of qualifications from local institutions including Systemic Family Counselling, Program and Project Monitoring and Evaluation, and Humanitarian Assistance and Project Management. He brings to Tariro a wealth of experience in education, youth, sexual and reproductive health and rights and education programming.
Simbarashe is a firm supporter of womens’ empowerment and throughout his career has been involved in projects that uplift the girl child, youth and women. He is married to a lawyer Dorcas Makaza, a gender activist who works at Women and Law in Southern Africa Research Trust. In his spare time, he enjoys watching soccer, fishing and playing chess.
We look forward to working with Simbarashe!