Zzimba Games! A Young People’s Initiative to Promote Literacy in the Population

Out of class/school learning has been popularized by the COVID-19 pandemic as institutions seek to limit all contact based learning. However, out of class learning has always been here and the innovator’s at Zzimba Games are living proof of it. Dating from as far back as 2007, Zzimba Games is an edutainment company that exists to educate and entertain through their products and services.

Started by Lillian Akello and Christian Ongecu, Zzimba Games innovates products that are made to give clients a multi-sensory experience. The name Zzimba originates from a Ganda and Bantu verb ‘Okuziimba’ meaning ‘to build. The games are designed for people to have fun and unwind, make new friends, have great bonding experiences, build your mind, increase knowledge of a subject and hopefully learn something new while at it.

Speaking to Campus Bee, Christian Ongecu one of the Zzimba Games founders said their mission is to be the preferred household choice for games that educate and entertain. That the best way to equip the personal network is through games as they are an informal and sustainable way of repeatedly learning over time

“Zzimba Games aims to simplify seemingly complex topics like Justice, Finance, Sexual Reproductive Health in a manner that is entertaining and delivers an educative outcome through games. Perhaps most uniquely, Zzimba Games does this by keeping relatable with the target consumer and customer (using local content) in an entertaining way, can be afforded, and ultimately delivers on a learning outcome.” Ongecu told Campus Bee.

Zzimba Games began in December 2007 by making jigsaw puzzles for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and have since made the same for several persons and companies as custom made souvenir items, gifts for occasions, learning/teaching lessons, as merchandise for shops and for leisure.

Jigsaw puzzles deliver on developing visual and spatial skills to delaying dementia and Alzheimers, they are a considered good mental exercise increasing cognitive function, help build collaboration skills, help relieve stress and improve problem solving skills. Zzimba Games also makes card and board games such as Ttaka (the land title acquisition game), The Hustle (career guidance game), The Magnate (financial literacy game), and The Hunch (life skills game). These to help with socialization, alternative learning and among others enjoying timeout.

Ms Akello, a co-founder at Zzimba Games also talked to Campus Bee about how they started out and their journey of success since.

“In 2007, we started out with Jigsaw puzzles made in Uganda. 2011 we made Kappo our 1^st Board and Card Game for helping non finance business owners appreciate finance management in their businesses following exposure. At my day job in 2016, I ventured into Sexual Reproductive Games with Marie Stopes (U) Ltd and later in 2019 with Public Health Ambassadors Uganda (PHAU). In 2018, inspired by family challenges on land, we made the TTAKA board game, through a rigorous process we received an acceleration Grant and by that virtue became The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) fellow. Last year in 2020, we were commissioned by Stanbic Bank (U) Ltd to make games for their National Schools Championship.” Akello said.

ZZIMBA Games is located in Bukoto adjacent  to MariGold heights, Block B, Unit 4 Bukoto Community Village, along Bukoto – Ntinda Road formerly Kira Road . You can also reach them using their website at www.zzimbagames.com or on social media – Instagram; @zzimba_games, Twitter: @zzimbagames1,  Google MyBusiness @ZZIMBA Games and on YouTube: ZZIMBA Games