STANDING among a group of children at Kuda Vana Partnership in Manicaland, William Pepukai is surrounded by laughter, chatter and a chorus of requests. The scene is familiar to anyone returning home to a busy household after a long day.
For Pepukai, Kuda Vana's director, these everyday moments define his work. He does not simply run a children's organisation — he shares life with the young people in his care, celebrating their successes, comforting them through hardship and helping them discover where they belong.
As Zimbabwe continues to grapple with family breakdown, child abandonment and absent fathers, Kuda Vana is championing a different vision of fatherhood — one defined not by biology, but by love, presence and the commitment to restore children to safe, nurturing families.
"I know their personalities, I celebrate their achievements, and I comfort them when they're hurting," Pepukai says. "Over time, they begin to see me as their father."
Yet he is quick to explain that Kuda Vana's mission is not to replace families.
"It is meant to restore one. Every child deserves the opportunity to know where they belong, to understand their identity, and to grow within the love and history of their own family," he says
More than a father figure
For many who grew up under Pepukai's care, describing him as merely a father figure does not fully capture his role.
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Joyleen Ngwenya, 23, now studying nursing in Zambia, says Pepukai became the steady presence she needed after losing her biological father at a young age.
"He didn't just provide for me; he guided me," she says. "He taught me responsibility, respect and hard work. I lost my biological father early, but Mr Pepukai filled that space. I never felt incomplete."
Diana Maphlupeko, 22, who is studying Medicine and Surgery in Zambia, says their relationship was built through everyday experiences as much as educational support, from five-a-side football matches to playing cards.
"He has been a father to me, not just a father figure," she says. "He taught me to always do the right thing, even when no one is watching. His selflessness, dedication and love have taught me what true fatherhood looks like."
Talent Kadzutu, 28, who joined Kuda Vana as a child and later completed studies in business administration alongside vocational training, says Pepukai continued to provide support long after she reached adulthood.
"He showed me what a caring and responsible father looks like through his actions. He filled a space in my heart that had long been empty," Kadzutu says.
The journey of restoration
Pepukai measures success differently from many caregivers.
The greatest achievement, he says, is helping children reach a point where they no longer depend on him because they have been safely reunited with their families.
His work centres on family reintegration, supporting relatives to create stable, nurturing environments where children can return and thrive.
"If I've done my job well, my success is measured by the fact that they no longer need me in the same way they once did," he says. "That's something to celebrate, not to resist."
That philosophy came to life recently when Kudakwashe Charasika, 24, who arrived at Kuda Vana at the age of two, graduated from Africa University with a degree in Social Work.
Watching him grow from a vulnerable child into an independent professional committed to serving others was, Pepukai says, one of the most rewarding moments of his journey.
A call to real fatherhood
Beyond the children's home, Pepukai and the Kuda Vana team are using this year's #RealFatherhoodZW campaign to encourage men to embrace the responsibilities of fatherhood, whether as biological parents or positive role models within their communities.
"A father's presence matters more than many realise," Pepukai says. "Children don't need a perfect father. They need one who chooses to be present, to keep showing up and to love them consistently."
The organisation also advocates stronger support for vulnerable families, better responses to early pregnancies and an end to the stigma surrounding disability and difficult family circumstances.
"Running away from responsibility, denying paternity or abandoning the family is not strength," the social work team says. "Real fatherhood means showing up, learning and supporting without shame or blame."
Kuda Vana currently cares for three children living with disabilities, reflecting its commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity for every child.
For Pepukai, the essence of fatherhood is measured not by blood ties but by the willingness to nurture, guide and prepare young people to flourish on their own.
Whether sharing meals with the children, cheering their academic achievements or celebrating their professional milestones, he continues to model a legacy built on belonging, compassion and hope — one that will shape lives for generations to come.
