By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
When 11-year-old Yamikani Shammah Marasha stepped into Shamva Primary School carrying boxes of neatly packed school shoes, she wasn’t just delivering footwear — she was delivering dignity, confidence, and a message of hope.
A finalist in the Little Miss Africa Zimbabwe pageant and the reigning Little Miss Zimbabwe People’s Choice, Yamikani has turned the spotlight she earned on stage into a beacon for others. Her recent project, aptly named “100 Pairs for 100 Smiles,” saw her donate school shoes to 100 children in Shamva, under the inspiring banner “Giving Power to Every Step: Soul to Soul.”
This wasn’t just charity — it was personal.
“She chose Shamva because I went to school there,” shared her mother, Sarah Marasha, in an exclusive interview. “She’s been there before, and what she saw moved her deeply.”
Despite her age, Yamikani is no stranger to giving. She launched her philanthropic journey in 2020, during the difficult COVID-19 era, with her food aid initiative “Feed One, Share One.”
But this latest effort is part of her broader campaign as a Little Miss Africa Zimbabwe finalist, a platform she’s using to spotlight the realities many Zimbabwean children face — especially when it comes to basic needs like shoes.
Her goal? To visit different schools across the country, one step at a time.
“She knows there are more than 100 kids in need, but this is what her capacity allowed — and she’s determined to grow from here,” her mother explained.
What’s perhaps most impressive is how Yamikani raised funds for the initiative. Though she’s a brand ambassador for companies like Edgars, Kids and Co, and Queen’s Park Apparel, this time she relied on her own savings and a handful of kind-hearted donors who believed in her vision.
The donation ceremony, held on June 3, 2025, was a heartwarming event filled with song, celebration, and of course, smiles.
For many children at Shamva Primary School, it was their first proper pair of school shoes — a small item with a huge impact.
“To her, it’s not just about the shoes,” Sarah said. “It’s about the joy, the confidence, and the motivation to go to school proudly.”
Yamikani’s journey is supported firmly by her parents, both of whom are pastors and philanthropists themselves.
“She came back from a trip to Shamva and Mudzi and said, ‘I want to help those children,’” her mother recalled. “We knew right away we had to stand with her.”
Yet, as bright as her star shines, Yamikani is still just a child navigating a world that sometimes misunderstands her passion — particularly in the modeling industry.
“People have their stereotypes,” Sarah admits. “But for us, modeling is about confidence, self-expression, and empowerment — not what some may think. I was once a model myself, and it never changed who I was.”
And for Yamikani, modeling is more than walking down a runway — it’s about using her voice, building platforms, and lifting others as she climbs.
Currently a Grade 7 learner at Chivaraidze Primary School in Harare, Yamikani dreams big. With a string of awards under her belt and a growing list of philanthropic achievements, she’s proving that age is no barrier to impact.
As the sun sets on Shamva Primary School, it rises on a new generation of leaders — compassionate, courageous, and already changing the world one step at a time.
And at just 11 years old, Yamikani Shammah MarashaYamikani Shammah MarashaYamikani Shammah Marasha is leading the way.
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