Kuda Pembere
Zimbabwe has become the first African country to roll out a parenting mobile application designed as a one-stop digital resource offering reliable, expert advice on child health, safety and development to families nationwide.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care, in partnership with UNICEF and with support from the Embassy of Japan in Zimbabwe, launched the application, Rera Umntwana (Nurture Your Child), on Friday at Glen View Polyclinic.
The application comes at a critical time when nearly one in four children under the age of five is stunted, failing to grow and develop to their full potential, while another 4.3 percent suffer from life-threatening wasting.
Parents and caregivers can download the application onto their smartphones, enter basic information about their child and immediately receive tailored guidance aligned with the child’s age and developmental stage. The application also works offline and includes reminders on immunisation and micronutrient supplementation in line with the national immunisation schedule.
“This innovation offers interactive guidance to support the holistic growth and development of children from birth to six years of age, recognising that when a child is born, a parent is also born—often with many questions that require reliable and trusted answers.
“Recognising its value, Zimbabwe became the first African country to adopt and adapt the platform into a local version known as Rerai Umntwana—a Shona and isiNdebele expression meaning ‘Nurture the Child.’ Originally developed as Bebbo by UNICEF ECARO and partners, the application was successfully piloted across Europe and Asia, reaching more than one million users,” said Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Sleiman Kwidini, while officiating at the launch.
He added that the Government recognises the importance of the earliest years of life as critical to a child’s physical, cognitive and emotional development.
“Parents and caregivers play a central role in shaping these outcomes; however, many families continue to face challenges in accessing reliable and trustworthy information, particularly in an era where social media platforms are saturated with unverified advice. The imperative to provide accurate, accessible and culturally relevant information through digital platforms has therefore never been greater,” Hon. Kwidini said.
“Rera Umntwana bridges this gap by providing localised, easy-to-understand content that complements community-based child health and development interventions. Caregivers with access to mobile phones—even in remote areas—can receive age-appropriate guidance that promotes healthy growth and development.”
Evidence consistently shows that children raised in stable and nurturing environments develop higher self-esteem, stronger social skills and fewer behavioural challenges.
“The earliest years of life, particularly the first 1,000 days, shape a child’s lifelong health, learning and potential. What happens during this time matters deeply. When children lack proper nutrition, nurturing care, safety and early stimulation, the effects are not temporary; they can last a lifetime. In Zimbabwe, too many children are starting life at a disadvantage. Over 76 percent of children under five live in food poverty, unable to access a diet that meets their basic nutritional needs. As a result, more than a quarter of children under five are stunted, meaning their growth, learning and future potential are already being limited. Behind these numbers are real children, real families and real hopes for a better tomorrow,” said Etona Ekole, UNICEF Representative to Zimbabwe.
Deputy Head of Mission of Japan to Zimbabwe, Yokotani Kaoru, said the application is already being used in 15 countries across Europe and Asia and commended the Zimbabwean Government for its commitment to improving child care.
“Allow me to commend UNICEF for its tireless professionalism in translating Japanese support and cutting-edge technologies into practical solutions that benefit people on the ground. Through Project RISE, UNICEF’s global Parenting App, already used in 15 countries, has been customised for Zimbabwe with the latest AI technologies from Japanese company, NEC.
“Zimbabwe is the first country in Africa to roll out this digital solution to improve maternal and child health outcomes. The name ‘Rerai Umntwana Parenting’ reflects the Government of Zimbabwe’s ownership and vision: ‘Rerai,’ in Shona, means ‘to nurture’; ‘Umntwana,’ in Ndebele, means ‘child’; and ‘Parenting,’ in English, brings these ideas together—an inspiring choice of name made after deliberation by the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
“It speaks to the Government of Zimbabwe’s strong commitment to empower all parents and caregivers in Zimbabwe through technology for children to thrive,” Kaoru said.
Kaoru revealed that the project is expected to benefit 20,000 Zimbabwean parents and guardians.
“I am very excited that, through our partnership—Zimbabwe, Japan and UNICEF—this project will benefit approximately 20,000 people in urban and peri-urban communities in its initial phase, supporting parents, caregivers and frontline health care workers alike,” she said.
