Diversity as the key to independence
All our projects in Zimbabwe help people to overcome the effects of climate change. We focus on supporting small farmers in the rural regions of the country. We distribute seeds that grow well in dry soil and provide training on saving water when growing vegetables.
Diversity is our approach to combating poverty. We have trained over 3,000 farmers in chicken breeding and provided them with laying hens. A youth program will support 300 additional young people between the ages of 18 and 30. These small farmers can feed their families with the eggs they produce or offer them for sale. We also support them with marketing. Selling honey is another good trade in Zimbabwe. Thanks to Help, over 700 small farmers are now raising their own bee colonies. Alongside regular food, this also gives people a secure income, and they have enough money to pay for things such as school fees and medical bills.
An important aspect of our work is known as the imitation effect. Small farmers who complete our training courses in chicken breeding and soil cultivation often generate three times as much as others. They then share their knowledge with their neighbours and become models for their communities. This increases the impact of our work.
Immediately after Cyclone Idai hit Zimbabwe, Help initiated emergency relief measures for around 6,000 people. The cyclone destroyed 4,700 ha of agricultural land in the Chimanimani and Chipinge regions of Zimbabwe alone. Help distributes seeds so that people can replant their fields. In this way, Help is sustainably improving the living conditions of 2,000 families. We have also assisted 350 families in rebuilding their homes.
