Growing Mindfully in a Digital World

What Our Project Is About

At Bongai Shamwari in Zimbabwe, we are setting up a computer room – not just to teach digital skills, but to give children and the community a conscious and self-determined relationship with media.

We are creating an intergenerational space where knowledge is shared and developed together.

Our Approach

We work in an environment of great contrasts: many families live in poverty, while at the same time many people have access to smartphones. Children grow up with digital media – usually without guidance.

Based on the principles of Maria Montessori, we promote:

Structure & Real Experiences

Not just stimulation, but deep understanding through real experiences.

Understanding Instead of Consuming

Critical thinking instead of passively scrolling through content.

Ein kleines Symbol für Nachhaltigkeit mit einer Pflanze

Concentration

Focus and independence instead of overstimulation.

Technology as a Tool

Digital media is used purposefully – not as constant entertainment.

It's Not Just About Computers – It's About Understanding the World

What We Teach

• Basic computer and internet skills
• Conscious use of smartphones and media
• Concentration, independence and critical thinking
• Mindful use instead of passive scrolling
• Connecting the real and digital world

Not an Isolated School Project – A Space for Everyone

A Space for the Community

The Computer Lab is deliberately a place for shared learning. The project is accompanied by a trained media educator who ensures conscious and age-appropriate use.

User groups:
• Teachers and the entire team
• Members of the women’s cooperative
• Former students – our “graduates”

Learning Together

We connect practical experiences with digital knowledge – for lasting understanding.

Health – Dental Care
Children explore dental care through hands-on, practical experiences — turning learning into habits they can apply every day. Three times a year, we visit the dentist together. Parents are actively involved and supported with clear, easy-to-understand guidance, helping them reinforce healthy routines at home. To make health actionable and sustainable in daily life, we combine practical support with meaningful digital learning:

  • Essential tools for every family: Toothbrushes and toothpaste ensure that healthy habits can be practiced consistently at home
  • Digital learning that builds understanding: Interactive content explains what happens inside the body, making invisible processes—like tooth decay or the role of nutrition—visible and engaging
  • Step-by-step guidance: Short videos and simple routines support children and parents in brushing techniques and daily care

Water & Sustainability
Children experience water in daily life and learn to use it responsibly — turning awareness into everyday action. Together with parents, we built a 40,000-litre water tank. By collecting rainwater to irrigate our garden, children see natural water cycles in action and understand their role in conserving resources. To make sustainability tangible and part of daily life, we combine real-world practice with meaningful digital learning:

  • Real-life systems children can interact with: The water tank and garden create a living learning environment where water use becomes visible and understandable
  • Digital learning that reveals hidden processes: Interactive content explains how water cycles work and why water is a limited resource
  • From local action to global impact: Digital content connects everyday water use to global challenges, helping children understand the importance of conservation while encouraging simple, practical habits at home and in school

Environment – Litter Collection & Recycling
Children engage with their environment and take on responsibility — developing habits that contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable community. Once a month, children and parents take part in a litter collection activity. Collected waste is then sorted and recycled where possible, helping children understand not just removal, but responsible handling of materials. To deepen understanding and sustain engagement, we connect these experiences with digital learning:

  • Hands-on action and recycling in the local environment: Regular clean-up and sorting activities allow children to directly improve their surroundings while learning how materials can be reused or recycled
  • Digital learning that expands perspective: Media content shows the broader impact of waste and recycling on ecosystems, oceans, and communities
  • Making impact visible and lasting: Before-and-after visuals, simple data, and digital challenges help children see their contribution and reinforce responsible habits

Every Donation Counts!

Regardless of the amount or purpose of your donation – whether for equipment, learning materials or a teacher's salary – you are investing in the future of a child!

10€

buy a mouse

25€

buy a keyboard

40€

buy a school book

60€

fund internet for one month

75€

contribute to our teachers' salaries

X€

choose your own amount

Questions, Ideas or Suggestions? We'd Love to Hear from You.

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Lars Gottwals

In cooperation with ctwp educational empowerment