Family Impact

Legalities: Family Impact is registered in Zimbabwe as a Trust (Registration Number 72/2002), in The United Kingdom as a Charitable Trust (Registration Number 1092759), and in Kenya as a Trust (Registration Number OP 218/051/2003/0409/2961).

Vision: Family Impact exists to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in family life and relationships.

Mission: Empowering individuals, building families, transforming communities and mitigating the spread and impact of HIV/AIDS through research, development and implementation of innovative, evidence based, cost effective, accessible and culturally appropriate programs.

Ministry Partnerships: In order to achieve rapid and effective coverage of the continent of Africa with its programs, the organization actively works with churches and Christian organizations so they are capacitated to implement Family Impact programs in their locality. In this regard Family Impact has actively cooperated with other organizations and was instrumental in the formation of the Pan African Christian Aids Network (PACAnet), which is a coalition of Christian organizations working in the AIDS prevention and care arena, and the Christian AIDS Task Force (CAT), a coalition of Zimbabwean Churches in the Matabeleland Region that seeks to coordinate the Christian response to the AIDS pandemic. We also work closely withScripture Union Africa, and who are our primary link in West Africa. SUWA (Scripture Union West Africa) in Jos, Nigeria presents Family Impact programmes to schools and adults throughout the West African region. In each locality whether East or West Africa, Scripture Union takes the material and adds in cultural examples and changes to ensure we remain culturally sensitive and relevant at all times, without compromising either the message or the gospel.

Programme Information: Family Impact programs are aimed at strengthening the family unit. In this regard, the organization has developed and run several programs across Africa aimed at primary and secondary school children, young adults, married couples, parents, men in the work place, and churches. Some of the programs have won wide acceptance in Africa. Typically the programs consist of literature, training manuals, video and audio materials, camps and teaching seminars. Family Impact implements the ‘Training of Trainers’ method to ensure as many as possible are able to receive the materials that they offer. The following contains a list of some of the programs that Family Impact has developed, (for detailed information please see our website for details):

§ Adventure Unlimited –

o Programme Info: a lifeskills course for 10 – 14 years olds. It equips young people to prepare confidently for their teenage years and adult life as they grow up in today’s world. A 7 part video, a Leaders Guide, a set of picture cards for presentations and ‘The Adventure of Life’ (a follow up booklet for the children to enjoy) are all available in this series.

§ Choose Freedom -

o Programme Info: Choose Freedom is a Lifeskills course for teenagers, with an accompanying video drama that explores the issues facing teenagers in Africa today and examines the emotions and feelings behind their choices. There is a handbook for leaders, which is available in French and English. This course explores many topics over the 8 weeks, such as building self-image, communication and family relationships. However, the video focuses mainly on the issues of love, sexuality and relationships with the opposite sex.

§ Adventure Leadership –

o Programme Info: character building camps, with initiative test, outdoor team building activities and a series of talks aimed at equipping young people as leaders in their generation. The format of using camps is effective to bring young people away to practically use their leadership skills in team building environments, as well as receive coaching on the core aspects of (particularly) servant leadership.

§ Radical Relationships

§ Enjoy Your Marriage

o Programme Info: this marriage enrichment course is based on a manual which offers leaders (once they have received the teaching) to train others in the materials. The material has traditionally been used for weekends away, but also day seminars, and within fellowship groups. There is a series of 5 bible reading notebooks for couples to continue the journey together after the course.

§ Positive Parenting

o Programme Info: a series of 9 work books have been developed by FI for the teaching of parenting skills, both to parents as well as carers, teachers and youth leaders. There is both a video and DVD available to accompany the course.

§ Freedom Unlimited

o Programme Info: a programme designed specifically for men in the workplace. A life-skills training programme is a series of interactive seminars focusing on bringing about long term behaviour change. Freedom Unlimited Life skills training programme was developed for men in the workplace, specifically in industry, farming & mining communities

Regions of Operation: Offices in Zimbabwe, Kenya and Uganda; currently establishing a base in Zambia. Official partnerships with organisations in, Tanzania (FOTA), Ghana (FI), and the Cameroon and closely working with organisations in Nigeria (FCS, ACET, SUWA).

Directors: David and Janet Cunningham (Zimbabwe); Tom and Hellen Malande (Kenya);

Head Office: The Africa Service Centre (Zimbabwe);

East Africa Office: Family Impact Kenya

Contact:

The Africa Service Centre;