Food and Self-Reliance for AIDS Orphans

In the communities surrounding the AFCA Project base in Matabeleland South Province, as with most areas in Zimbabwe, an air of hopelessness and despair is almost palpable as people locked in a grim battle for survival try to provide for their families.  Even the normally happy and smiling children seem to be unusually subdued.

The current El Nino induced drought that is shredding the social and economic fabric of many countries in Southern Africa has hit Zimbabwe particularly hard. Over 7 million Zimbabweans are in need of general household assistance from now through to April 2025.  It is our communal rural areas that are bearing the brunt of this drought and are the worst affected by it. Water sources have long since dried up, crops and vegetables have failed, livestock is dying and villagers are forced to scour the bush in search of wild fruits/roots to sustain themselves. With employment opportunities also few and far between, people are becoming desperate.

The AFCA team, however, with the generous support of many of you reading this, is working tirelessly to keep people's spirits up and our targeted interventions at school and village level are designed to provide our children with " seeds of hope" in various forms to help them look beyond this especially difficult season into better times ahead.  Recently, we delivered much needed supplies including computers, text books, reading books and teachers aids to several primary schools and held a training day at our tree project nursery to demonstrate to children that even in desperate times we need to preserve, conserve and protect our environment.

The Headmaster of one such school, Mr P Mpofu had the following to say ....." Thanks AFCA for your critical support in this extremely difficult environment for these innocent souls in their pursuit of success and a brighter future. The hope that you have given them is immeasurable'.

The team here at the American Foundation for Children with AIDS thanks you for supporting this project and the work we do for the children in Africa.  If you would like to learn even more about what we do or how you can meet some of the children you have helped, please contact Tanya Weaver at tweaver@AFCAids.org. 

Life is really tough in Southern Africa at the moment, particularly in Zimbabwe.

A glance at the map below which is tracking crop failures in the current agricultural season shows you that the large majority of our farmers experienced total crop write-off due to the El Nino induced drought this region. In fact 7.5 million Zimbabweans are food insecure at the moment and with still 7 months to go until the next harvests are expected the reality of the situation on the ground here is very sobering. Even irrigated crops are under threat due to the very low water levels around the country.

When I sit and ponder on these things I feel overwhelmed and extremely anxious for my people.

In the face of this tsunami of despair AFCA is playing such a vital role in the rural communities in Matobo and Umzingwane Districts in southern Zimbabwe.

AFCA's community empowerment initiatives are giving vulnerable families a chance to get through this dark season. They are becoming self reliant.

Our bee project beneficiaries are still harvesting honey of which some can be used in the family diet and the balance sold or bartered for foods and household necessities.

The goat program beneficiaries are dong well as their hardy animals are still thriving in spite of the lack of grazing in stark contrast to those who depend on cattle for their livelihoods....cattle are dying due to lack of pasture and water. Goats are for sale daily in the markets and also bartered for other foods and goods.

Those families who received trees from our Indigenous tree program, although not benefitting from fruit yet, are harvesting wonderful moringa leaves to add to their menus and also to feed their chickens and small livestock.

The ladies who have been trained in the sewing project are honing their skills and making a myriad of handmade items for sale in the community markets or to the occasional tourist that ventures out into our remote countryside.

When I focus on these positives, even though they are on a micro level, I feel this resurgence of hope and energy.  We are making a difference and if we keep at it, keep moving forward day by day, we will get through this difficult time into a brighter day ... a brighter future.

AFCA's programs in Zimbabwe and other African countries is greatly improving the food security of families in the areas in which they are established by giving them options and creating a path towards becoming self-reliant.  The team here at the American Foundation for Children with AIDS thanks you for supporting this project and the work we do for the children in Africa.  If you would like to learn even more about what we do or how you can meet some of the children you have helped, please contact Tanya Weaver at tweaver@AFCAids.org.