By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
VICTORIA FALLS — In a groundbreaking collaboration, UNICEF Zimbabwe and Wild Horizons, a leading ecotourism operator, have joined forces to bring solar-powered, climate-resilient solutions to three schools in the Victoria Falls area, transforming education, health, and livelihoods for hundreds of children and their communities.
The partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in October 2025, is installing solar-powered, multi-sectoral water systems at Mkhosana Adventist, Ndlovu, and Sizinda government secondary schools.
The initiative is designed to improve access to clean water, renewable energy, and climate-smart infrastructure for children, teachers, and surrounding communities.
A Partnership of Purpose
“This partnership is a powerful example of how business and development can come together to create sustainable solutions for children and their communities,” said Etona Ekole, UNICEF Zimbabwe Representative.
“By combining UNICEF’s child-focused programming with Wild Horizons’ commitment to protecting the environment and empowering communities, we are building models of climate resilience that can be scaled across Zimbabwe.”
Wild Horizons, which is built on a foundation of community, already supports 44 local schools through its Corporate Social Responsibility programme. Its CEO described the partnership as an expansion of that commitment:
“This partnership with UNICEF allows us to expand that commitment—ensuring healthier schools, stronger families, and a greener future. Together we can create a model of resilience that inspires far beyond Victoria Falls”.
Real Impact on the Ground
Schools in Victoria Falls have long battled the effects of water scarcity and fragile infrastructure worsened by climate change. The new solar-powered water systems are delivering benefits across multiple sectors:
Education: Children gain access to clean water, improving hygiene and menstrual health management, and reducing absenteeism—particularly among girls.
Health: Improved water connections to nearby health facilities, including the Ndlovu maternity ward, are enhancing maternal and child health outcomes.
Food Security: School gardens irrigated through the solar systems are boosting food security and promoting climate-smart agriculture, equipping learners with practical knowledge on resilience.
Employment: The initiative is creating pathways for youth employment, as Wild Horizons provides training in solar and water technologies, empowering young people with skills for sustainable livelihoods.
A Model for National Scale
The initiative supports the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s Clean Green Zimbabwe Initiative and contributes to the national climate adaptation agenda. It also aligns with the Zambezi River Basin regional initiative, which spans eight countries and impacts over 41 million people.
If successful, the model could be scaled up to the 44 schools already supported by Wild Horizons and replicated across other provinces, complementing UNICEF’s ongoing collaborations with KOICA, FCDO, TUI Care Foundation, and Welthungerhilfe.
A Broader Solar Vision
The partnership was highlighted during a visit by UN Resident Coordinator Dr Rosemary Kalapurakal to Matabeleland North, where she observed the installations and praised the collaboration between development and private sector actors.
Her visit coincided with Zimbabwe hosting the 8th International Solar Alliance Regional Committee Meeting for Africa in Victoria Falls, where President Mnangagwa called for accelerated investment in solar energy across the continent.
The partnership between UNICEF and Wild Horizons stands as a practical example of the public-private collaboration needed to turn that vision into reality.
#UNICEF #WildHorizons #SolarSchools #CleanWater #ClimateResilience #EducationForAll #Zimbabwe
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