The income generating projects established by Children in the Wilderness Zambezi (CITW) for rural women in Zimbabwe are assisting with economic growth and poverty reduction in remote northern Matabeleland. A lack of consistent and reliable livelihood options has led to high levels of poverty in this area where communities rely on subsistence farming. However, erratic rainfall and Kalahari Sand soils that lack nutrients make for low yields and very seasonal harvests. The raising of livestock such as cattle and goats is reasonably successful but can be plagued by disease, making this livelihood method unreliable as well. With an average household monthly income of nine dollars and most households having between five and eight members, many families struggle to provide for their basic needs, and the majority cannot afford to send their children to school.
Read the rest of this wonderful report below, written by Sue Goatley, our Zambezi Region Community Development Liaison and CITW Programme Coordinator. Beautiful images © Liz Lane