The Zimbabwe National Council of YMCAs was established in 1968. The organization seeks to develop civil society by educating communities and YMCA members on human rights issues, as well as facilitating and designing self-reliance programmes. The YMCA has five branches and 28 activity groups dated around the country. These programmes include family life education, disaster relief, civic education, youth camping, brick-making, carpentry, dressmaking, art and market gardens.