Uncommon

In the rural village of Iceme in Northern Uganda, Dillis recalls a life that felt normal but was fraught with hidden dangers. “Facilities like toilets or pit latrines were things of towns for the wealthy families,” she says. For Dillis and her neighbours, drinking unboiled water was routine. “After fetching water from the borehole, we would drink or use it without boiling. We didn’t know these acts were silent disasters.”

In 2022, World Vision introduced Community-Led Total Sanitation to the area. The program challenged long-standing practices through community-driven education and practical solutions. “We discovered our habits were spreading germs and diseases,” says Dillis. Her household and many others adopted new approaches, including latrines, handwashing stations with soap, and boiling drinking water. “Today, waterborne diseases and other health conditions are no longer our stories,” she reflects.

Dillis is now a local advocate, encouraging her neighbours to adopt similar practices. The change has improved health outcomes and strengthened the community’s sense of agency. As Dillis says, the shift to better sanitation is about reclaiming control over their health and wellbeing.

Uncommon is equipping young Zimbabweans with the technical skills needed to thrive in today’s workplace and connecting them with employers ready to innovate. Partner Employers share how hiring Uncommon graduates has strengthened their teams and created pathways for meaningful employment in the country.

At Cleanup Zimbabwe, Gamuchirai’s work has accelerated the organisation’s digital transformation. “Cleanup Zimbabwe has worked with Gamuchirai for the past two months, and we are thrilled with the transformative impact she has had on our company. Her exceptional IT skills and dedication to research have propelled us into the digital age with ease. We are thoroughly impressed with her expertise and work ethic!” – Owen Chiwandire, CEO of Cleanup Zimbabwe.

Regina’s talents in design and user experience have left a lasting impact at TD Partners. According to Marian Doset, HR Manager: “Regina’s internship showcased her strong design skills and attention to user experience, leading a successful mobile app redesign that boosted engagement and usability. Her smooth transition to a full-time designer proved her value to our team. We’re grateful to Uncommon for connecting us with such talent and look forward to future collaborations.”

Simba has been instrumental in driving progress at ADE Technology. His technical adaptability and strong communication skills stood out to Jonathan de Jong, Founder of ADE Technology: “Simba was a fantastic addition to my team, demonstrating excellent communication, ownership, and adaptability in developing new technical skills as needed. His contributions were crucial to our progress.”