Club Feature: Girls Time Club, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Girls Time Club, established in 2015 by Mentor Procedure Chikosi, is situated in Mkhosana, a small community in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. In 2019, Mercy Sibanda joined as a Mentor and now, in 2025, Ratidzai, a club alumna, is serving as a Mentor. Three clubs and 45 girls are being supported by Girls Time Club.

Why the community needed the club

The Mkhosana community has faced high rates of teenage pregnancies, child marriages, HIV/AIDSand school dropouts, in addition to family issues and cultural practices that have kept girls constrained by traditional expectations.

Procedure established the club because she realized that local girls needed a safe space, mentorship, and the opportunity to have someone to listen and talk to. “We wanted to show them that you can do anything as a girl in this community,” said Procedure, “and to showgirls that they are not just destined for marriage or being pregnant or being left the way we have always seen in our communities.”

Early photo of girls at Girls Time

Procedure leading a session with Girls Time club

Procedure wanted to show girls they could get an education and become anything they wanted by providing a safe space where they can hear and believe that “they can.” As their confidence builds, they develop leadership skills, and they are supported emotionally, socially and academically.“They become leaders and make the best-informed choices for themselves,” Procedure said.

What do you enjoy about being a mentor

“I enjoy helping our girls to shine their light, finding that purpose of life and actually living a purposeful life. I enjoy seeing girls letting themselves out, speaking up and being confident in taking up that space.”

“What I enjoy most is being a part of the journey of seeing a girl from when she joins the club to the time she starts showing the impact the club has in her life and do the seemingly hard things to get to where she wants to go.It is so beautiful for me to see and experience that as a mentor.”

Mentor Mercyshares her joys of mentorship. “I have learned and grown so much alongside these young girls, watching them becoming the best version of themselves and spreading their wings to pursue their dreams” she said. “Knowing that we are entrusted with the privilege of guiding their lives, helping them become better citizens and give back to their families and communities —it takes us back to the very reason we are doing all this: to break the cycle of poverty.”

Mercy mentoring a girl

Procedure leading a group of girls through a discussion in the safe space

Success stories

Girls Time Club has celebrated numerous successes over its 10-year journey. Alumnae Pamela, Thubalenkosi, Clarenceand Ratidzai are inspiring example of resilience and determination. Each faced tough personal and financial challenges, yet with the ongoing support of Girls Time Club, they overcame obstacles and took meaningful steps toward creating brighter futures for themselves.

Pamela was in the club since she was in Form 2, or second grade. She benefited from being guided and encouraged with“Yes, you can.” Through mentorship in a safe space, she is now at university studying international relations and journalism.

Thubalenkosi initially didn’t do well in her early secondary school exams.But Mentorsand club members said, “You know what, pick yourself up, you can still make it,” she took the exams again and passed. Thuba is currently doing a program in business commerce thanks to a GSGC scholarship.

Clarence didn’t pass her O-levelexams, either, but with the encouragement of the club members andMentors, she found a small course she was interested inNow, Clarence works asan adolescent treatment supporter in a local clinic for people with HIV. She returns to Girls Time Club to share her story and information she now knows about how young people are affected by HIV /AIDS.

Ratidzai, now a Mentor, joined Girls Time in 2016, at age 13. Once a shy and timid girl, sheis now a confident young woman and a Business school graduate of a university in India. She said it started with Mentor Procedure believing in her. The club gave her the skills and desire to finish school and the drive to seek and find higher education. She is now giving back as a Mentor herself in the very club that supported her. Hear her talk about her journey on our Podcast, GSGS Talk Radio.