Campaign Story

Education Matters is building an 11th and 12th grade high school for 90 high-achieving, low-income Zimbabwean students to access quality education that values critical thinking, integrity, sustainability and compassion. The USAP Community School will prepare its students to access higher education at the world’s top universities on scholarships with the aim of returning to Zimbabwe to build a better society.

Education Matters’ USAP program has been assisting high-achieving, low-income students to access university education internationally for 20 years. As the program has evolved, the organisation has realised that the students, though bright and determined, are receiving a narrowly-focused education that is not adequately preparing them to tackle the complex societal problems. Although the students are excelling in Ordinary and Advanced level examinations, their reading, writing, computer, research and critical thinking skills are lacking.

The USAP Community School provides a transformative model of education to Zimbabwe’s academically talented students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The two year residential model immerses students in a highly-engaged and demanding curriculum that builds their skill levels, nurtures their creativity and allows them to question and explore. Students will emerge well prepared to take advantage of the opportunities that top international university education presents.

The USAP Community School aims to develop young people who are thinking through how to address challenges in Zimbabwe, to think about how to come home to build society before they ever leave. Education Matters believe that the combination of a strong skillset and entrepreneurial attitude, the grounding of a dynamic and thoughtful Zimbabwean academic community and the exposure of an overseas education will lead to young people who have the potential to make a tremendous impact on the African Continent in the future.