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Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is where Beyond Stigma’s work began and continues to evolve. Over the past decade, our programmes here have grown from research-informed pilots into living, peer-led programmes supporting young people, facilitators, and communities to address internal stigma, strengthen self-worth, and care for mental wellbeing.
Working in close partnership with Zvandiri and community-based organisations, Zimbabwe remains the foundation for learning, adaptation, and cross-country exchange across all Beyond Stigma programmes.
Wakakosha
Wakakosha (“I am worth it”) was developed in 2019 and continues to be delivered, refined, and expanded locally and internationally. The programme supports adolescents and young people to recognise internal stigma, question harmful self-beliefs, and build self-worth in a safe, supportive environment.
Delivered through residential camps, group sessions, and peer-led spaces, Wakakosha combines:
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Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction (IBSR)
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Creativity (art, music, movement, storytelling)
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Group reflection and discussion
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Mindfulness and grounding practices
Wakakosha is peer-led, with young people trained not only as participants but as facilitators and mentors, strengthening ownership and sustainability.
In Zimbabwe, the goal of this program is to specifically address internal stigma amongst young people living with HIV, a vulnerable age group in the HIV crisis. One third of all new HIV infections in Zimbabwe are amongst young people aged 15-24, with young girls being disproportionately affected. Formative research conducted in the spring and summer of 2020 demonstrated that HIV self-stigma can cause negative self-judgements, relationship avoidance, school dropouts, isolation, and medication avoidance. The research conducted helped shape and inform the Wakakosha program, which began in January 2021. This programme is based on inquiry-based stress reduction (IBSR), a technique of self-inquiry and included 16-week workshop series, a 3-day self-stigma course, training of trainers, and a resource bank.
We are the Change
This programme took place between 2013-2015 and explored the core beliefs of self-stigma amongst people living with HIV in Zimbabwe. In order to develop an informed curriculum, formative research was conducted through qualitative interviews with people living with HIV. The core beliefs underlying HIV-related self-stigma were grouped into four categories: disclosure; sexuality and sexual pleasure; self-perception; and body, illness and death.
Using these findings, a 12-week self-stigma programme was implemented. These courses incorporated Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction (IBSR) in order to challenge negative thoughts about themselves and their HIV status. Those who attended the programme were then trained to continue the programme.
Wakakosha 2.0
Wakakosha 2.0 has commenced in Zimbabwe! This was marked by a training session from 26 February to 2 March 2024, bringing together 30 Zvandiri Peer Counsellors, Community Adolescents Treatment Supporters and Young Mentor Moms to build the capacity of 30 young people who are joining the program for the first time and being mentored by 4 peers from the first group. The training focused on promoting self-love and self-care in order to strengthen a sense of self-worth amongst the participants.
Facilitation for the sessions was done by the 4 coaches from the Community of The Work in Zimbabwe and the 4 CATS Coaches from Zvandiri (the latter were selected from the first group and trained to be coaches).
We want to extend our deepest gratitude to ViiV Healthcare's Positive Action for supporting this activity through Zvandiri and Beyond Stigma.
"This living is rare, and life is precious"
- A young participant's quote from the Wakakosha training.
A core element of current work in Zimbabwe is the use of Inquiry Circles, regular spaces where facilitators come together to reflect, decompress, and support one another. These circles have become a powerful practice for sustaining the work, preventing burnout, and deepening personal insight. Zimbabwean facilitators also take part in ongoing mentorship, peer exchange, and cross-country learning, contributing their experience to our programmes in Rwanda, Ghana, and South Africa.
Zimbabwe plays a central role in Beyond Stigma’s regional work. Facilitators trained through Wakakosha and Zvandiri have contributed to:
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Supporting adaptation and delivery in Rwanda
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Facilitating and mentoring in South Africa
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Sharing learning that informed "Me Sombo" in Ghana
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Regional experiential workshops and exchanges
This positions Zimbabwe not only as a delivery site but as a hub for learning, adaptation, and leadership.
How it started,
In 2017-2018, a new course on self-stigma, shame and gender-based violence was developed, delivered and locally adapted. During 2019, it was rolled out in the two rural areas in Mutasa and Mutare, Zimbabwe.
