The History

Step by step, we covered great distances

1985: Founding of Ngarawa Creche

From 1985 to 1990, Christa Zeller lived with her family in Zimbabwe. There, with the help of locals, she initiated a kindergarten project that, for nearly 30 years, oversaw 14 facilities. This was quite a unique offering, as the government in Zimbabwe placed little value on early childhood education.

Eine Frau unterrichtet die Gruppe der Kinder

1986 – 1990: Training Program

Together with Tandiwe Semwayo, Christa Zeller developed a seven-level training program for early childhood educators. This program continued to be taught after her return to Germany.

Frauen spielen ein Spiel zusammen

2014: Educational Reform

From its founding until today, the project continues to support families and individuals who have been involved with it for many years, alongside the kindergarten.

Eine Gruppe von Menschen versammelt sich vor der Schule

2017: Founding of the Zimbabwean Foundation

In 2016, Bongai Shamwari received a major donation from the Christian Bürkert Foundation. This made it possible to establish a model kindergarten for disadvantaged children through the creation of a Zimbabwean foundation. Founding members include Christa Zeller and two former kindergarten children of hers, Nicholas Dhibi and Theddious Chinaa, who are now fathers themselves. Both are committed to giving back to society.

Zwei Männer unterschreiben Dokumente

2018: Opening of Bongai Shamwari ECC

Since January 2018, Bongai Shamwari has been open with a capacity of 25 children. For Zimbabwean standards, the kindergarten is very well equipped, with trained educators. Some places are reserved for families who can contribute financially, while the majority are children from impoverished families, orphans, or children with disabilities, whose places are funded through sponsorships (scholarships) from Germany. This mixed model allows children to play, learn, and grow together, regardless of their background, towards a shared future.

Die Kinder und die Lehrer stehen zusammen vor der Schule

2018: Founding of the Association in Germany

To accommodate the growing size of the project and to establish it on professional footing, the non-profit association Bongai Shamwari e.V. was founded. Christa Zeller serves as the chairperson (left in the picture) and Anna Schubert as the vice-chairperson (right in the picture) of the association in Germany.

2022: Founding of Women's cooperate MAVAMBO

In 2022, Mavambo was founded by nine women, all mothers of the kindergarten children. After some initial challenges, six of them established themselves and now run the cooperative together, working hand in hand to support their families and the wider community.