This week, the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), in partnership with Tearfund and with the support of government stakeholders, carried out a joint monitoring visit in Ward 18 of Bikita District under the initiative Enhancing Community Resilience Through Sustainable Income Generating Scalable Projects.
The high-level delegation was led by ZCC Director of Humanitarian Services and Diakonia, Maria Tendai Dendere, alongside Tearfund Zimbabwe’s Country Team headed by Mr. Odreck Mukorera. The visit began with a courtesy call at the Bikita District Development Coordinator’s office before proceeding to the project site for an assessment of progress.
Funded by Tearfund, the initiative aims to improve community access to water for multiple uses — including household needs, livestock drinking, and gardening — while simultaneously addressing chronic food insecurity, enhancing household incomes, and advancing gender equality in agriculture and livelihoods.
So far, two fully functional Solar-Powered Water Schemes (SPWSs) have been established, directly benefiting 165 households and supporting three thriving community gardens. More than 300 households have also received training in Conservation Agriculture, leading to increased yields even in the face of a shifting climate.
Beyond infrastructure, the visit reaffirmed ZCC’s strong commitment to tackling Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) issues, strengthening livelihoods, and closing gender gaps in vulnerable communities. The project promotes inclusive development by ensuring women and youth are not only participants but also leaders in agricultural activities and local decision-making. Many now hold key roles in asset management and advisory committees.
“The message is clear,” said Dendere. “When water flows, so does resilience.”
This project continues to serve as a model for sustainable, community-led transformation — where innovation, equity, and empowerment go hand in hand.
#zccinzim #Tearfund #WASH #FoodSecurity #GenderEquality #SolarWaterSchemes #ActionsofHope #ResilienceInMotion #Bikita
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