The idea for an activity centre was born already six years ago, but due to the time involved in taking care of our growing activities, we only approached the City of Harare on the matter at the end of 2003.  In December 2006, we finally signed the purchase contract for a piece of building land 0,4523 hectares in size  a little smaller than we would have liked  but otherwise an ideal solution as it is situated in the heart of Dzivaresekwa, sandwiched between the police station and the Rujeko Health Clinic.

In April 2007 we published a brochure, detailing the Dzikwa Activity Centre's plans, which we intend to use in our approach to various bodies and individuals in order to raise the budgeted one million euro required to make this project come true.  For this purpose, we have applied for and have been granted as official fund-raising permit in Finland.

The funds for the purchase of the land and the plans for the initial stages of the project have been generously donated from sources in Scotland and England.  A Zimbabwean platinum company has pledged the costs of setting up the protective fence around the complex and the cost of drilling the artesian well. The intention is to progress with the building work as and when the funds are collected. We have already received the promise of television and DVD equipment for the Centre as well as a video projector.

Although most of the funding is still open, we have decided to lay the corner stone on 12 November 2007. We are looking forward to eminent guests to arrive from as far away as Scotland.

The 560 square metre main building has been designed to include the following facilities: 

• modern kitchen facilities
• dining facilities for 80 children to eat at a time, which will double as a place for the children to do their homework, as well as general assembly room for parties and as a 'cinema'  
• three classrooms for tutoring purposes and psychosocial  negotiations
• a two-part meeting room which can also be used for group work or tutorials
• an up-to-date IT classroom
• library
• offices for the field workers and accountant
• toilets and showers
• storerooms

The Activity Centre will also be supplied with the following:

• caretaker's cottage
• playing field
• kitchen garden
• own diesel generator and artesian well, with diesel and water storage tanks.

The Dzikwa Activity Centre grounds will be surrounded by a protective wall and will have an electronic gate.

The plan for the layout of the Dzikwa Activity Centre complex can be found by clicking this link.