Our Aim

Martha and Lucinda, Trustees of Love Zimbabwe charity are taking on the 100km Jurassic Coast Ultra challenge to introduce a Chinamhora Safe Families Initiative. A community-led programme to help prevent domestic abuse, support survivors, inspire young people, train leaders and build a safer future for Chinamhora village.

Overview

Domestic abuse affects women, children, and men in every society. In rural Zimbabwe, the risks are especially high. There is limited access to support services, long distances to police and clinics, economic hardships, and strong stigma surrounding reporting abuse, and many families suffer in silence. By opening up honest conversations about traditional norms and expectations, the community can begin to challenge harmful practices in a respectful and constructive way that protects families while honouring cultural identity.

Martha and Lucinda are taking on a huge challenge — walking 100km along the Jurassic Coast cliffs, pushing on through both day and night to fundraise for this project. Through this fundraising walk, we aim to create the first dedicated domestic-abuse prevention and support hub at the Chinamhora Community Centre—run by trained local volunteers and supported by Love Zimbabwe.

Why This Is a Big Problem in Chinamhora Village

- Distance & Isolation Make Help Hard to Access

In rural areas like Chinamhora, police stations, clinics, and counselling services are often far away, and transport costs are unaffordable. This means survivors frequently cannot escape or seek help.

- Cultural Stigma & Silence Around Abuse

Many people are discouraged from reporting domestic violence because of fear of judgement, pressure to keep family matters private, concerns about finances, or retaliation. Without safe spaces, many remain trapped.

- Economic Dependence Reinforces the Cycle

High unemployment and reliance on a partner for essentials like food or school fees make leaving a violent relationship feel impossible.

- Limited Awareness of Rights and Support

Many people do not know their legal protections or how to identify coercive control. Lack of awareness allows abuse to continue unchallenged.

- Impact on Children & Youth

Children who witness violence often experience trauma, struggle at school, and are more likely to repeat violent behaviours in adulthood.

- Men Have Few Spaces to Talk About Stress & Anger

Men in rural Zimbabwe face huge pressures but have no healthy outlets to discuss stress, identity, or anger, leading to increased conflict and violence.

Your donation will help us:

- Train village leaders, church leaders, teachers, and youth mentors

- Provide confidential support and a safe listening room

- Run school workshops on healthy relationships

- Create a local men’s dialogue circle to target harmful norms

- Print awareness materials and referral guides

Every pound raised brings real, practical change to Chinamhora that urgently needs support.

How You Can Help

• Donate whatever you can

• Share this page with your networks

• Support the 100km Jurassic Challenge

• Help us create lasting safety for the people of Chinamhora

Together, we can break cycles of silence, fear, and violence and help families thrive.

Thank you for reading about our challenge and the project we will be setting up.

Thank you for your support.

From Martha and Lucinda