- Category
- BICA Anchor
- Where
- Binga campus and regional referral points
- Planned dates
- 3 Jan 2027 to 3 Jan 2028
- People who benefit
- 150
- Funding sought
- USD 123,500
- Raised so far
- USD 0 (0%)
- Project owner
- Takura Trust
Overview
A twelve-room return unit and a 60-month aftercare network so that anyone who slips can come back quickly, with no shame and no new waiting list.
Anchor is the door that stays open. This project builds a small return unit and sets up a team and system to follow every graduate for five years and bring people back quickly if they slip.
Proposal
1. Executive summary
The Anchor Return Unit has twelve rooms for people who have relapsed or are in crisis, a short-stay stabilisation space, and a small team and system for aftercare. Every BICA graduate is followed up at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 60 months, and anyone who slips is in contact within a week, with a place to return to without shame.
2. Background and need
Relapse is common in chronic conditions, and the first weeks after a slip are the most dangerous. Many programmes close their doors after a relapse, so people disappear. BICA's covenant is that no one is turned away for coming back.
3. Problem statement
Without a quick, supported way back, a slip turns into a long relapse. Families do not know where to turn, and people who relapse are often blamed and lose their place.
4. Goal and objectives
Goal: a slip does not become a lost life.
Objectives: (1) twelve return rooms ready at all times; (2) contact with anyone who relapses within seven days; (3) a 60-month follow-up system covering every graduate; (4) peer-mentor circles in five provinces.
5. Who will benefit
About 150 BICA graduates a year who receive aftercare, and up to 60 people a year who return after a slip, with their families.
6. Approach and activities
We build the unit, appoint a case officer and aftercare team, and record each follow-up in the case system. Peer mentors, trained and paid a stipend, run circles near where graduates live. A rapid-return protocol means a short stay for stabilisation, then the plan resumes.
7. Monitoring, evaluation and learning
Progress is measured against the indicators in the results framework. The project manager keeps a monthly record of activities, spending and results, and reviews it with the Director. Baseline figures are taken in the first month, and the same measures are repeated at the mid-point and at completion. Beneficiaries are asked for their views at least twice a year, and what they say changes the plan.
A short evaluation by someone independent of BICA is carried out at the end, and its findings, including what did not work, are shared with the funder and published on this website.
8. Sustainability and exit
Return stays are funded by Sponsor-a-bed gifts and by a share of Harvest of Hope surplus. Peer mentors reduce staff costs, and partner centres share the aftercare load in their areas.
9. BICA capacity and governance
BICA, the Binga Institute of Conservation Agriculture, is an institution of Takura Trust, which owns the project and holds it to account. The Trust's board provides oversight, approves budgets and receives quarterly progress and financial reports. On site, the Director leads heads of care, agriculture, the Academy, enterprise, finance and partnerships, with a safeguarding and monitoring officer. A Clinical and Recovery Advisory Panel reviews care protocols and outcomes.
Funds given for this project are restricted: they are recorded in a separate project ledger, spent only against the approved budget, supported by quotations and receipts, and open to independent audit. Funders receive a narrative and financial report each quarter and a final report at completion.
10. Safeguarding and risk management
Everyone who works or volunteers on this project is vetted and signs the BICA safeguarding policy before starting. There is a named safeguarding officer, a confidential way to raise concerns, and a duty to report to the police and the Department of Social Development where required. Children, young mothers and elders are never left alone with an unvetted adult.
The main project risks are listed in the risk register with the action we will take and the person responsible. Risks are reviewed monthly by the project manager and quarterly by the Trust board.
Work plan
Phases
| Phase | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Design and set-up | 3 Jan 2027 | 2 Mar 2027 |
| Construction | 3 Apr 2027 | 2 Aug 2027 |
| Aftercare network and launch | 3 Jul 2027 | 2 Jan 2028 |
Tasks
| Task | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Design and quotations | 3 Jan 2027 | 2 Mar 2027 |
| Case system and protocols | 3 Mar 2027 | 2 Jun 2027 |
| Return unit built | 3 Apr 2027 | 2 Aug 2027 |
| Recruit and train aftercare team and mentors | 3 Jul 2027 | 2 Oct 2027 |
| Circles start in five provinces | 3 Oct 2027 | 2 Jan 2028 |
Milestones
| Milestone | Due | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Return unit open | 3 Aug 2027 | Signed report with photographs |
| Aftercare system live | 3 Oct 2027 | Signed report with photographs |
| Final report and review | 3 Jan 2028 | Signed report with photographs |
Budget
| Item | Unit | Qty | Unit cost | Total | Requested |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aftercare team | 41,400.00 | ||||
| Case officer and aftercare workers, 12 months | month | 12 | 2,800.00 | 33,600.00 | 20,160.00 |
| Transport for follow-up visits | month | 12 | 650.00 | 7,800.00 | 7,800.00 |
| Construction | 70,500.00 | ||||
| Return unit: twelve rooms, common room and office | lot | 1 | 58,000.00 | 58,000.00 | 58,000.00 |
| Solar power, water and sanitation | lot | 1 | 12,500.00 | 12,500.00 | 12,500.00 |
| Furniture and equipment | 6,240.00 | ||||
| Beds, furniture and linen | room | 12 | 520.00 | 6,240.00 | 6,240.00 |
| Management | 6,000.00 | ||||
| Project coordination and reporting | month | 12 | 500.00 | 6,000.00 | 3,000.00 |
| Monitoring | 3,200.00 | ||||
| Outcome evaluation and audit | lot | 1 | 3,200.00 | 3,200.00 | 3,200.00 |
| Peer mentors | 7,800.00 | ||||
| Mentor training and stipends | lot | 1 | 7,800.00 | 7,800.00 | 7,800.00 |
| Systems | 4,800.00 | ||||
| Case management system and phone follow-up | lot | 1 | 4,800.00 | 4,800.00 | 4,800.00 |
| Total budget (USD) | 139,940.00 | 123,500.00 | |||
Requested from the funder: USD 123,500 (88%). BICA and partners contribute USD 16,440.
When the funds are needed
| Quarter of the project | Requested (USD) |
|---|---|
| Quarter 1 | 3,000.00 |
| Quarter 2 | 75,300.00 |
| Quarter 3 | 42,000.00 |
| Quarter 4 | 3,200.00 |
Results and risks
Results framework
| Level | Result | Indicator | Now | Target | How we check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goal | A slip does not become a lost life | People who relapse and are back in care within 7 days | Not tracked | 80% | Case system |
| Outcome | Every graduate is followed up | Graduates followed at each milestone | 0% | 90% | Follow-up records |
| Output | Return unit built and ready | Rooms available | 0 | 12 | Completion certificate |
| Output | Peer-mentor circles running | Circles | 0 | 5 | Circle registers |
Risks and what we will do
| Risk | Score | What we will do |
|---|---|---|
| Follow-up fails because phone numbers change | 12 | Record two contacts and a family member at admission. |
| Demand exceeds rooms | 9 | Priority triage and transfer to partner centres. |
| Staff burnout | 9 | Supervision, rotation and time off. |
Funding and owner
Project owner
- Owner
- Takura Trust
- Implemented by
- Binga Institute of Conservation Agriculture (BICA)
- info@bica.org.zw
- Telephone
- +263774114107
- Address
- Binga District, Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe
Every funder receives a progress and financial report each quarter. Funds are restricted to this project and tracked in a separate ledger.
Support this project
Write to us to receive the full proposal, ask a question, visit the campus, or tell us how you would like to help. A reply comes from Takura Trust and BICA within two working days.
Prefer to speak? Call +263774114107 or email info@bica.org.zw.