J1020N Matebeleland Community Development

The Situation

Within Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe lies the drought-prone Zambezi Valley of the Hwange and Binga districts, where communities are facing significant challenges. Impoverished families struggle to survive amid high unemployment rates. As men search for work, they often contract diseases or HIV/AIDS, which can result in both parents' deaths, leading to a high orphan rate. In their pursuit of shelter, water, and food, many families find education to be an additional burden, as it is not freely accessible. This leaves many in the community without the opportunity to escape poverty.

The Objectives

The objectives of the Matabeleland Community Development project include:

1.    Empowering widows and orphan programs – provision of shelter, clean water and sewing machines. 

2.    Microenterprise - goats, pigs and chickens breeding program – each widow is given two animals to breed, she then passes two offspring to another beneficiary and keeps any other offspring. 

3.    Education programs – sponsorship of primary and secondary fees, uniforms and supplies. 

4.    Underprivileged programs – pushbikes to help commute long distances, wheelchairs for the disabled etc. 

5.    Local support – provision of source seeds and training to increase food supply.