Growing empowerment

Below is a project summary from Davis! They worked hard and learned so much. Not only will this garden continue to grow and provide in the Chinyani village, COA is already figuring out how to teach and replicate this initiative in other communties of Harare!

The maize is still in the field and in a week’s time they will be harvesting green mealies that will be distributed to those who worked the field.

The rains went away too soon and not as had been predicted by the meteorological services. Therefore the crops were adversely affected. Yet, much was gained by this first attempt. The land was well prepared and so there is expectation of early planting on the same field using conservation farming methods next season.

The support group learned a lot about working together, coordinating activities and managing  team dynamics  while pursuing economic empowerment projects. The project modeled how this can be replicated in other areas.

Throughout winter the group will be working the fields as they adopt conservation farming method also known here as ‘Farming God’s Way’. Activities will involve: cutting maize stokes, mulching, hoeing out / digging holes according to the described standards and adding manure in each hole, coving the holes and wait for the rain to come. Then they can plant seed in three phases: early crops, intermediate and late crops to mitigate the challenge of climate change as witnessed here this time around.

Additionally, the land for horticulture is being cleared and the group hopes to put a security fence, dig wells while praying and looking for resources to  install a complex water system. An Irrigation system seems to be the lasting solution for comprehensive farming project as drought and other effects of  climate change remain a permanent feature in Sub- Saharan Africa.

Davis, Lucia, the Chinyani Village and other villages to come deserve a huge “job well done”. This work is hard and yet they are pursuing empowerment so relentlessly. We are thankful that we get to walk with COA as they remove barriers and grow with their community.

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2)

Check out this update video clip from Lucia! https://fb.watch/57MzHotGLO/


Join us in our mission to support over 500 families in Zimbabwe by donating to COA, fueling our work to foster a world where all differently abled children and their caregivers receive love, food, education, and the dignity they deserve.

 
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