The Zimbabwe National Council of YMCAs was established in 1968 with a mission to unite young people of christian faiths transcending all divisions and barriers of class, creed, colour, role gender, age, nationality and religious denominations or political persuasions. Among its objectives the YMCA strives to provide facilities, programmes and activities designed to enrich spiritual mental, cultural and physical development. The organization seeks to develop civil society by conscietising communities and YMCA members on human rights issued as well as facilitating and designing self-reliance programmes. The YMCA has five branches and 28 activity groups dated around the country. The Zimbabwe YMCA is currently carrying out a number of programmes and projects to improve the socio-economic well-being of individuals and communities. These programmes include Family Life Education, Cattle fattening, Disaster relief, Civic Education, Youth Camping, Brick-making, Draught power, Provision gender sensitation, Carpentry, Dressmaking, Art and market gardens.