Christian Care Board representatives, joined by the secretariat, led by A/Chief of Party, recently undertook organisational support visits to project sites in Bikita and Chiredzi, reflecting the Board’s ongoing engagement in guiding the organisation’s programme delivery and its commitment to the communities Christian Care serves.
The visits gave the participating Board representatives a firsthand opportunity to provide organisational support to project teams, assess implementation progress, engage with staff and key stakeholders, and identify opportunities for continued collaboration.
In Bikita, the team was warmly welcomed by the community with song and a shared meal — a gesture that reflected the strength of the partnership built over years of collaboration. The delegation also toured the wetland project, gaining firsthand insight into the environmental and community-based work being carried out in the area.
The team then travelled to Chiredzi, where they visited the school supported under the Chitope Japanese Embassy project. There, Board representatives engaged directly with community members who have played a central role in the project’s success, learning more about its impact and the efforts needed to sustain it.
“The participation of our Board representatives in these visits reflects their deep commitment to the communities we serve,” said Sefelipelo Bhebhe, Acting Chief of Party. “The warmth of the welcome we received, and the dedication shown by these communities, strengthen our shared resolve to keep supporting these initiatives.”
Christian Care thanks its Board representatives for their continued oversight and hands-on engagement, and extends its gratitude to the communities of Bikita and Chiredzi for their hospitality and partnership.
A few years ago, Chimanye Wetland in Bikita District ward 15 Museti area under Chief Mazungunye was just 7ha of degraded land. During dry years, the stream flow dried up leaving patched pools. Crops failed. Livestock walked long distance for water. When the El Nino was announced for the 2026 to 2027 agricultural season, fear spread in the community. “What will we eat? Where will the cattle drink?” people asked. The wetland was there, but no one knew how to use it. There was no water control, no training, and little cooperation between neighbours.
The multi sectorial collaboration of community and partners marks the turning point, things began to change. With support from the Government of Zimbabwe agriculture and environment advisory agents (EMA, RDC, Forestry and Agritex), Christian Care and funding from The Charitable Foundation (TCF), the community of Chimanye decided: “We will rehabilitate our wetland ourselves and build a weir downstream.”
The wetland (seven hactares) was successfully rehabilitated. It was a community based participatory approach well aligned with National Environmental Policy. Beyond crops, livestock and income, the wetland recharges groundwater, provides bee forage for honey, reduces erosion and gives a reliable water source for generations.
The Department of Mechanisation housed in Masvingo town approximately 140km from Chimanye came in and trained local builders on weir wall construction. It wasn’t just about stone and cement. It was about mind-set change. For the first time, men, women, and youth sat together, planned together and worked together.
“We learned that if we cooperate, we can solve our own problems, “said one community member (Lazarus Chiswa Chairperson). Today, a strong weir wall is set to stand downstream across Chimanye Wetland. With the weir holding water, the community will now be ready for the projected El Nino in 2026-2027. Even when rains fail, there will be water for gardens and livestock. More than six hectares of land is set to be irrigated benefiting more than one hundred households. That means increased income, vegetables in winter, maize in summer and food on tables all year.
Good coordination and cooperation between the community, government, Christian Care and TCF proved that development works best when we do it together. In the near future Chimanye will no longer wait for relief food. The weir will be more than a wall of stone. It is proof that with training, cooperation and support, a community can turn a wetland into wealth.
Story compiled by Taruberekera RN (Project Officer)
“Owning Our Future, Sustaining Christian Care Together”
The AGM brought together board members, partners, member churches, management, staff and esteemed stakeholders to reflect on the organization’s progress, discuss opportunities for growth and reaffirm our shared cooperation to serving vulnerable communities.
We extend our sincere appreciation to all delegates who participated and contributed to the meaningful discussions. Together, we remain committed to building a stronger Christian Care that continues to serve with compassion, integrity, and hope.
Christian Care successfully hosted its Regional Annual General Meetings (AGMs) in Masvingo and Matabeleland, bringing together representatives from member churches and organisational leadership to review progress, strengthen governance, and chart the way forward for the organisation.
These meetings reaffirmed Christian Care’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and collaborative leadership through its member churches and stakeholders.
Christian Care expresses its gratitude to all delegates, member churches, regional leadership, and partners who contributed to the successful cconvening of the meetings.
Include: Name and surname, email address and contact details. Also include the organisation or church you represent and specify whether you are attending as a representative of a full member church, representative of an associate member organisation, National Executive Committee Member, or Invited Guest.
Thank you for your continued commitment to Christian Care’s mission. We look forward to your participation as we reflect and strengthen our governance, and shape the future direction of Christian Care.
“A wetland is like a savings account,” Agnes tells younger women. “If you protect it today, it gives you water, food and money when the rains fail tomorrow.”
At 56 years old, married with 4 children and 3 grandchildren, most people in Bhuza Village, Ward 9, Bikita District would say Agnes had “done her part.” Yet she thought differently. For her, the most meaningful work was not behind her, it was still ahead, waiting to be realised.
Kurumwaune Wetland was on the verge of collapse. Livestock grazing, tree cutting, and farming in its spongy centre were stripping away its life. For the 155 community members from more than 15 villages, the problem was clear but the solution was not. That changed when Agnes was elected Secretary of the wetland committee.
Agnes refused to be a Secretary in name only. She became the driver of action. Under her leadership, the community pegged the ten hectare boundary, dug holes, and erected a sturdy fence lined with ten strands of barbed wire. This was not the work of government contractors it was the sweat of farmers, mothers, and youths, mobilized by Agnes through careful planning and steady meetings. “We had to talk to every household. If one person cuts the fence, the cattle will still enter,”she explains. She engaged everyone EMA, Agritex, Local Government, village heads, and even the herd boys.
Today, Kurumwaune Wetland stands protected, thanks to the support from Christian Care with funding from The Charitable Foundation. No more tilling in the centre. No more forest burning. No more overgrazing in the dry season. The wetland is healing, and nature is reclaiming its course. Families will have new income streams: youth will venture into apiculture and fisheries, women will sell horticultural produce when maize fields run dry, and grandchildren like Agnes’s three will grow up knowing what a healthy wetland looks like.
Ask Agnes why she succeeded, and she points to the community, not herself. Yet everyone across 15 villages knows the truth: it was her mobilization, her precision during pegging and fencing, and her conviction that conservation is not the job of Non Governmental Organisations it is survival. At 56, Agnes is proving that leadership has no age limit. She is not just a Secretary on paper. She is the reason 155 families now have a future fenced in.
Compiled by: Taruberekera Regismistong N (Project Officer)
Christian Care has been supporting the restoration of the Chapedo Wetland in Bikita District since 2022 with funding from Act for Peace and The Charitable Foundation.
Key achievements include:
✅ The community now has more reliable water supply for both domestic and agricultural use. ✅ Farmers are growing chilli crops creating opportunities for income leading to improved livelihoods. ✅ The community will soon be benefiting from harvesting fish which will improve their nutrition and increase their household income ✅ Beekeeping has provided household income for the community while promoting biodiversity through pollination ✅ The community benefits from improved ecosystem services that support livelihoods and environmental sustainability through protecting the land from uncontrolled grazing and human activities.
The project has improved local livelihoods and continues to strengthen climate resilience.
Yesterday’s good rains brought life to the newly constructed Chapedo Dam in Makuvaza, Bikita Ward 5. Built through the partnership of Christian Care and the Government of Zimbabwe, with support from Act for Peace (AFP) and The Charitable Foundation (TCF), the dam now stands at 50% full. This milestone brings a sense of relief and excitement to the local community, marking a significant step toward improved water access.
With this harvested water, families can now provide for livestock, nurture nutrition gardens, and meet everyday household needs such as washing and brick molding. This morning, many gathered at the dam, celebrating the first major water collection—a sign of hope and resilience for the whole community.
In the face of intensifying climate change impacts and increasing vulnerability, Christian Care Zimbabwe is spearheading a transformative project in the Bikita and Zaka districts of Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe. The initiative, titled “Building Sustainable Livelihoods and Climate Resilience to Mitigate Displacement in Zimbabwe,” is a remarkable example of how local communities can lead efforts to address climate challenges, ensuring sustainable development while safeguarding their natural ecosystems.
This project addresses two critical needs: improving community access to groundwater and enhancing sustainable livelihoods, with a strong emphasis on building resilience to climate-induced threats. At its core, the initiative is grounded in an Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA) model, driven by the communities themselves. Through this approach, local stakeholders are directly involved in designing and implementing key interventions, while Christian Care and its partners provide strategic support.
The project’s success lies in its holistic approach, linking environmental conservation with livelihood improvements. This is demonstrated through a variety of activities that not only mitigate environmental degradation but also provide economic opportunities to the communities. The core activities include:
Wetland Protection and Water Conservation: To secure the availability of water resources, communities have actively protected and rehabilitated wetlands, enhancing natural water discharge. The wetlands, which are vital ecosystems in this semi-arid region, now provide much-needed water for both agricultural and household use.
Construction of Weirs: The project has overseen the construction of weirs—small dams built across rivers or streams to capture and store water. This technique ensures that during the dry season, the harvested water can be used to irrigate crops and support livestock, boosting agricultural productivity even in drought-prone periods.
Sustainable Livelihood Projects: By promoting activities such as small-scale irrigation schemes, nutrition gardens, fish farming, apiculture (beekeeping), and fruit orchards, the project has empowered communities to diversify their income sources. These livelihood initiatives not only provide immediate economic benefits but also foster long-term sustainability, reducing the vulnerability of households to economic shocks.
A significant aspect of this project is its contribution to biodiversity and ecosystem conservation. Wetland protection and reforestation efforts have promoted the restoration of natural habitats, ensuring the survival of various species that are crucial for maintaining ecological balance. By integrating agroforestry and organic farming practices, the project has enhanced soil health and biodiversity, while reducing reliance on chemical inputs that degrade ecosystems.
These efforts have reinforced the interdependence between humans and nature, highlighting how sustainable livelihoods and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand. The project demonstrates that when communities are given the tools and support to manage their natural resources, they become powerful custodians of biodiversity, ensuring that ecosystems continue to thrive for future generations.
At the heart of this initiative is the principle of community ownership. The local communities of Bikita and Zaka are not passive beneficiaries; they are at the forefront of implementing the activities that are transforming their lives. Their rights to access and manage natural resources are recognized and upheld throughout the project. Christian Care and its partners, including government agencies, civil society, and international donors, play a supportive role, providing technical assistance, capacity-building, and funding, but the community drives the process.
This approach ensures that the solutions are culturally appropriate and tailored to the specific needs of the people, which enhances sustainability and resilience. The involvement of women, youth, and marginalized groups in decision-making processes further promotes equity, ensuring that the benefits of the project are widely shared.
Christian Care’s initiative offers valuable lessons for the global community on the interconnections between human well-being, nature conservation, and sustainability. It highlights the potential of Ecosystem-Based Adaptation to address multiple challenges simultaneously: climate change, food insecurity, biodiversity loss, and poverty.
The project underscores the importance of empowering local communities to take the lead in managing their own resources. By centering human rights and community participation, Christian Care demonstrates that effective climate resilience strategies must be inclusive, context-specific, and community-driven. The active role of local people in designing and implementing solutions ensures that the interventions are sustainable, resilient, and adaptable to changing circumstances.
Furthermore, the success of this project illustrates how integrating climate mitigation and adaptation efforts with livelihood enhancement can create a win-win scenario for both people and nature. As climate change continues to disrupt lives and ecosystems globally, the world can look to initiatives like this one for inspiration on how to foster resilience and sustainability from the ground up.
Lingwe villagers of Matobo ward 8 recently celebrated the commissioning of the Lingwe piped water scheme that will help resolve the water challenges faced in the area.
The water will benefit over 1 300 people in the ward, that is over 135 households including some from neighbouring wards.
“We have incorporated a school with 230 pupils, a garden with 50 farmers and a dip tank with 201 farmers, whose cattle amount to 1 398. The residents who will benefit are from wards 8,9, 10 as well as villagers from Lingwe village under Chief Bidi,” said a local representative of the scheme, Evis Ndlovu.
Evis Ndlovu
The village has gone for 24 years without clean drinking water as attempts to drill a borehole have proved futile.
“We stayed for 24 years drinking dirty water, water with human waste. The efforts made to survey the area for purposes of drilling a borehole would only result in dry waves” said Evis Ndlovu.
Ward 8 is in one of the 10 dry wards of Matobo district, and this has led to most borehole surveys yielding negative results.
“The district falls into region 4 and 5 which is characterized by poor rainfall patterns, in this regard it is imperative to note that, the southern part of this district comprising of ward 1 to 10 has very little chances of success in terms of drilling boreholes due to a low water table,” highlighted CEO of Matobo Rural District Council, Mr Elvis Sibanda.
Lingwe once had a pipeline system that was operational from 1991 to 1998 running on diesel, the scheme stopped working due to various challenges faced by the elders in the community.
The commissioned scheme was built on this old pipeline, transforming the old diesel engine to a solar powered engine.
The piped water scheme will ensure that community members consume treated water.
