EFFECTIVEBULLETIN
COVER:VillageSavingsandLendingAssociations(VSLA)areacriticaltoolinallWeEffectprogrammesacrosstheregionand are crucial in empowering women, providing financial independence and stability. Here is Triphonia’s journey with the KalingwataVSLAgroup,highlightinghowithastransformedherlifeandherfamily'swell-being.(InthePictureisTriphonia SibandeamemberoftheLundaziDistrictWomenAssociation).PicturebyBhekumusa/ROSA
WELCOMETOOURMID-YEARNEWSLETTER
WelcometothesecondhalfoftheyeareditionoftheWeEffectSouthernAfrica(ROSA)Newsletter
Thismonth,webringyouinspiring stories from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, and Malawi, highlighting our impactful initiatives in farming, nutrition, women ' s empowerment, and Village Savings and Lending Associations (VSLA) From the innovative greenhouse farming in Domboshava to the thrivingvegetablebusinessinLusakaandthetransformativeVSLAprogramsinmarginalizedcommunities,oureffortsarefosteringresilience and economic stability We are proud to showcase these success stories that reflect our commitment to empowering communities and promotingsustainabledevelopment WealsolaunchedanewprograminMozambiqueunderthenameALCANCEwithsupportfromthe EmbassyofSwedeninMaputo Joinusincelebratingtheremarkableachievementsofourpartnersandbeneficiariesaswecontinuetowork towardsabrighter,moreequitablefutureforall
BhekumusaMoyo
EMAIL:bhekumusa.moyo@weeffect.org
RegionalCommunicationsandAdvocacyOfficer
WeEffectSouthernAfrica
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
--------FightingmalnutritioninMalawiandempoweringwomenthroughVSLAinZambia----------WomenAccessingLandinMalawiandbuildingwomen’scapacitytoaccessclimatesmartalternativeenergyinMozambique----------ClimateChange,PermacultureProductionTechnologiesandAgroforestrySystemsinMozambique,HATTAZsetupfirst everBoardinZambiaasFIANsubmissionsgetadoptedintheDroughtResponseStrategybyZambianGovernment---------------PartnerstrainedonOrganicFarminginZambiaasMozambiquelaunchesALCANCE----------------WomeninZimbabwe’sDomboshavafightClimateChangethroughsmartfarming---------------WelookattheWeEffectSecretaryGeneral’svisittoAfricaandthentheWEECVCAnnualResultsassessment--------.
SHABINA'S FIGHT AGAINST MALNUTRITION
InMalawi,malnutritionaffectsmanyyounglives,butPatuma'sjourney with her daughter Shabina is a story of hope Shabina faced severe malnutritionfrombirth,butthankstotheThanziprojectimplemented byFarmer'sUnionofMalawiandWeEffect,supportedbyRadioAid, herlifetransformedforthebetter
“She was born underweight, and her ailing health has tormented her fromthebeginning Shecouldn’tdeveloplikeanormalchild Herweight wasalwaysbelownormal,andshebecameverythinandmalnourished. Ashermother,mycommunitymockedme,”sharedPatumaAwubi,the 25yearoldmotherofShabina
The Community-Led Complementary Feeding and Learning Sessions (CCFLS) provided essential nutrition and support, helping Shabina recoverandgainweight TheThanziprojecthassignificantlyimproved children's health in Malawi's southern districts, despite ongoing challenges like after effects of Cyclone Freddy, Elnino and climate change,whichcontinuetothreatenfoodsecurityandagricultureyields
Full story: https://weeffect.org/stories/bringing-life-and-hope-tomalnourished-children-in-malawi/
VillageSavingsandLendingAssociations(VSLA)areacriticaltoolinall We Effect programmes across the region and crucial in empowering women in Zambia, providing financial independence and stability Triphonia’s journey with the Kalingwata VSLA group highlights how theVSLAtransformedherlifeandherfamily'swell-being
She says, “As the secretary of the Kalingwata VSLA group, I help our membersinsavingsgroups Westartedthisgroupbecauseaswomen,we face many challenges Everything at home often falls on us, and our childrendependonus Wesavetwiceamonth,onthe15thand30th I tookaK2500loanfromthegrouptoboostmybusiness”.
“I raise broiler chickens, with 250 birds currently in their third week, and I also run a grocery shop My husband is happy and surprised by how much I now contribute, easing his burdens significantly,” she added Read more on our work on VSLA here: https://issuucom/weeffectsouthernafrica/docs/financial inclusion in lundazi a working paper
“Everything at home often falls on us (women), and our children depend on us ”
THE KALINGWATA VSLA GROUP
LAND RIGHTS INCREASING
FOOD AND INCOME SECURITY AMONG WOMEN IN RUMPHI- MALAWI
Gertrude Chakanda is a 43-year-old single mother from Chakanda villageinNtchenachena,Rumphidistrict.Gertrudegotdivorcedin 2018andreturnedtoherfather’shome Shehadnolandonwhich tocultivatetofendforherthreechildren.Shemanagedtogetapiece of land through community Women Action Groups (WAG) and other sensitization campaigns on women and property rights promotedbytheprojecttargetingchiefsandcommunitymembers
The initiative is being implemented by the Small Producers Development and Transporters Association (SPRODETA) in collaboration with We Effect and the generous support from the Sida-CIVSAM project called Integrated Resilience Program for WomenandOtherVulnerablePeopleintheRuralCommunitiesof Chitipa and Rumphi districts Gertrude was granted 75 acres of landbyherfatherin2023.
MY STORY ON PROMOTING CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND GENDER EQUALITY MOZAMBIQUE
MynameisMariaAgostinho,a46-year-oldmarriedwomanandmother of9childrenwhowasborninAngocheinNampulaprovince,andnow lives in the town of Mepapata B I am a peasant who has lived in MepapataBformorethan12yearsnow.Ihavebeenamemberofthe Local Committee for Risk and Disaster Management (CLGRD) since 2018.
ThemostsignificantchangeIhaveexperiencedinthepastthreemonths is the reduction in time I used to spend looking for firewood for cooking before I started using charcoal This change occurred after I received training from Livaningo, under the RECIG project on the manufacturing and use of improved stoves, the wood saving stoves whichareclimatefriendlytoanextent
Since then, I have come to appreciate these stoves’ importance and many benefits Before the wood-saving stove, I used to go into the woods daily to look for felled shrubs and trees to prepare food. However,IhavenowreducedtheamountofwoodIuse Forexample,I useforfourdaystheamountofwoodIusedtouseforaday’scooking Also,thestoveisbeneficialinthatithelpsmepreserveourforestand protect it from erosion and accords me more time to engage in other activitiesinthecommunity
Thattrainingonmakingwoodsavingstovesnotonlybenefitedmebut thewholecommunity Ascommitteemembersandcommunityleaders, wehaveacceptedtheresponsibilityofexpandingthispracticetoother neighbouring communities because we believe that together we are stronger and can promote behavioural change in the heart of our communities
“Inowstayatmyparents’village Iwasgiven75acresoflandtostay onandcultivate.Thisyear,Icultivated4acresofmaizeandharvested 72(50kgs)bags Isetaside20bagsforhouseholdconsumptionandI am selling the remaining 52 bags. Currently, I have sold 25 bags at K30,000perbagandrealizedasumofK750,000;Iamoptimisticthat Iwillmakehugeprofitsafterallthesalesarecompleted Inowhave foodandmoneytomeetmydailyneedsandtakecareofmychildren I am very grateful to this project which has managed to break the normofmaledominancyinowninglandandotherproductiveassets in our community, we are now treated equal to the male counterpart,”narratedGertrude
Gertrudeisinspiredtobealeadingbusineswomaninthefarming sector Sheaspirestocultivateothercropssuchastobaccoandengage inlivestockproductionaswellnowthatsheownsland.
Elisa Matola, a young 30-year-old farmer, participated in the training on Climate Change, Permaculture Production Technologies and Agroforestry Systems Having received the project's production kit, she improvedherdietandincreasedherfamily'sincome
WeEffectbelievesthatsupportingmarketgardensiscriticalforensuringhouseholdfoodsecurityandnutrition henceaccordingtoElisaMatola,inadditiontothe"productivebackyard"beingasourceoffood,italsohelped herearnsomemoneythatsheusedtopayforsomeofherson'sschoolexpenses “BeforeIstartedproducingin thebackyardIhadtotravelsomedistancetogotoplantmyvegetablesnearadam,nowwithmyproductive yardandtheassistanceofthetechniciansIcanproduceathome Partoftheproduceforourfoodandwhatis leftIsellintheneighbourhood"saidElisa
ElisaMatolaaddedthatshewouldliketheTIAMOprojecttocontinuetosupportherandotherbeneficiaries withmoretrainingandthatthisrequestisnotonlyforthefamiliesalreadybeingsupportedbutalsoforother familiesthattheprojecthasnotbeenabletocover
HATTAZ ESTABLISHES FIRST BOARD WITH WE EFFECT SUPPORT- ZAMBIA
WiththeinvaluablesupportofWeEffect,theHandloomsandTextilesTechnologyAssociation Zambia(HATTAZ)establisheditsfirstboard
“This board is crucial to our mission of enhancing Zambia's handloom textile, cotton, and fashion industries focusing on women ' s empowerment Our inaugural board meeting showcasedthediverseexpertiseofourmembers,includingsevendistinguishedindividuals five women and two men plus a male ex-official member from the cotton industry,” said Doris Mwape the Coordinator of HATTAZ She further added, “These members bring experience from various sectors: fashion designers, rural and urban weavers, the Ministry of Commerce, TradeandIndustry,theZambiaAssociationofManufacturers,andcottonexperts”
Draft policies were presented and discussed during the meeting, laying the groundwork for formal approval The new board provides enhanced governance, strategic direction, increased credibility, broader networks, and better resource mobilization, ensuring accountability and guidingustowardslong-termgoals
“WeextendourheartfeltgratitudetoWeEffectthroughtheWomenEconomicEmpowerment Project in Cotton Value Chain (WEECVC) for their steadfast support Their dedication has empoweredustoreachthismilestone”,sheconcluded
HATTAZ is a member-based organization which works to address the issues of women ’ s incomegeneration,valueaddition,andjobcreationintheZambiancottonsector
FromL-R:SunduzwayoBanda,NyambeKwalombota, JessyBanda,MaryDaka,SopaniMuzumara,DorisPhiri andDafulinKaonga
GOVERNMENT RECOGNIZES FIAN’S ADVOCACY - ZAMBIA
The efforts of FIAN Zambia have been recognised and adopted in the Drought Response Strategy by the Government of Zambia FIAN Zambia receivedcorrespondencefromtheOfficeofthePresidentoveritssubmissions ontherequiredinterventionsbytheGovernment Onanothermilestone,in Nyimba Nyarungwe Chiefdom persons affected by the Elnino are now receivingassistanceaftertheinterventionsandadvocacyofFIANZambia
AdvocacyactivitiesincludedapressstatementincollaborationwithOPPAZ, ZCCN,ZAW,andPPHPZaddressingthecriticalissueoftherighttofoodin Zambiaamidsttheongoingdrought Thiswasfollowedbythedissemination and formal presentation of their concerns to governmental bodies, the ParliamentaryCommitteeonLegalAffairs,HumanRights,andGovernance, theCommitteeonAgriculture,Land,andNaturalResources,andtheoffice oftheRepublicanPresident
FIAN is an international human rights organization that has advocated for the realization of the right to food and nutrition for 30 years FIAN InternationalZambiaisaNationalsectionofFIANInternational
ElisaMatola
WEECVC ANNUAL RESULTS ASSESMENT AND FIELD VIST HELD
ZIMBABWE
TheAnnualResultsAssessmentfortheWomenEconomicEmpowerment intheCottonValueChainwasheldinZimbabweinApril2024,herewe share the highlights from it This project has significantly impacted the cottonindustrybyempoweringwomenandfosteringdiversification
Duringtheevent,theteam,alongwiththeEmbassyofSwedeninAddis Ababa, conducted an informative field visit, exploring opportunities for further collaboration and impact Delegates gained firsthand insights into the program ' s benefits for farmers and how it addresses their challenges throughvisitstotwodemonstrationplotsinChecheche,Chipingedistrict
Oneofthefarmers,Mrs Mahachi,explainedinShonahowshemanagedher demo plot using sustainable cotton principles "I am expecting approximately 6 bales (1,200kg) from my 1-hectare plot The project has greatlycontributedtomyincreasedyielddespiteclimatechange,"sheshared joyfully
These demo plots serve as centers of excellence where farmers learn sustainable agriculture land management practices, safe handling of pesticides,andtheimportanceofwomenaccessingproductiveresources
The delegates also visited a cotton fair showcasing various initiatives and success stories Women displayed their diversification efforts, including horticulture, livestock rearing, and nutrition initiatives, highlighting how theseactivitiesreducedgender-basedviolencebyenhancingtheirstatusand respectintheirhouseholdsandcommunities
JoachimBeijmowhoistheHeadofRegionalDevelopmentCooperationin Africa, Embassy of Sweden, in his remarks said, "What you see here is replicatedinMalawi,Zambia,andMozambique It'simportanttoseeand learnfromyourresilienceandgroupmethodology."
Theeventincludedkeyplayersinthecottonsector,ledbytheZimbabwe Farmers' Union, joined by the Handloom and Textiles Technologies Association of Zambia, the African Institute of Corporate Citizenship (AICC) of Malawi, FONPA from Mozambique, the Cotton Board of Zambia,andlocalgovernmentleaders
JoachimBeijmo(Right)-HeadofRegionalDevelopmentCooperationin AfricaEmbassyofSweden
We Effect, in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden in Mozambique, launcheditsFood,Climate,Agriculture,Nature,Coordination,andWomen's Empowerment Program (ALCANCE) in the northern region of Mozambique
Thisinitiative,fundedforaninitialperiodoftwoyears(2024-2025),aimsto empower women, men, and youth to combat climate injustice and gender inequalitywhileensuringaccesstosustainableandnutritiousfood
TheALCANCEprogramwillcovertheprovincesofNiassa,Nampula,and Cabo Delgado, targeting various key actors in these regions. Its overarching objectiveistomobilizeandorganizeempoweredindividualstotakecollective actioninaddressingclimatechangeandpromotinggenderequality,essential forensuringtherighttoadequate,sustainable,andnutritiousfood
Speakingattheofficiallaunch,theWeEffectRegionalDirector,AndreasDolk said,“Inaworldgrapplingwithfoodinsecurity,environmentaldegradation, and economic inequality, the role of agriculture cannot be overstated Smallholderfarmers,whoformthebackboneofourfoodsupplychain,often faceimmensechallengesrangingfromlimitedaccesstoresourcesandmarkets totheadverseimpactsofclimatechange”
Hefurtheremphasizedtheorganisation’scommitmenttosupportingfarmers bysaying,“Therecentinitiativesaimedatsupportingthesefarmershighlight our commitment to tackling these issues head-on Our primary objective is twofold:toenhanceresilienceandproductivityofsmallholderfarmingsystems whilepromotingequityandinclusivityacrosstheagriculturalvaluechain”
“Theseinitiativesemphasizealong-termvisionforsustainabledevelopment It is essential to underscore our commitment to long-term impact and sustainability,” he further continued, pointing out the necessity of building robustsystemsthatcanwithstandfuturechallenges
“Collaborationandsupportfromvariousstakeholdersarecrucialtothesuccess oftheseefforts.Thesuccessofourdevelopmentprogramhingesnotonlyon ourcollectiveeffortsbutalsothesupportandcommitmentofstakeholdersat alllevels,"heconcluded
Participants at this illustrious event included the Governor of Niassa, Elina Massengele; Secretary of State representative, Teodosio; Ambassador of Sweden, Mette Sunnergren, members of provincial executive councils, representativesfromcentralgovernmentministries,implementationpartners, NGOs, the private sector, academic institutions, and local community authorities.
ALCANCE PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN MOZAMBIQUE
FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE - WOMEN IN DOMBOSHAVA EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY
ZIMBABWE
Climate change significantly threatens smallholder farmers, heavily reliant on agricultural production Women, often the key food producers, face amplified challengesduetoclimatechange,exacerbatedbyElNiño-induceddroughts,leading to severe food insecurity Strengthening women ' s capacity to adapt to climate changethroughalternativeproductionmodelsiscrucial
In response to these challenges, the Zimbabwe Land and Agrarian Network (ZiLAN),withsupportfromWeEffectunderthe“FeedingOurselvesinDignity” project, installed a 300sqm greenhouse garden shed in Ward 2, Zhanda village, Domboshava, Goromonzi This labour-saving technology and climate adaptation strategy benefits a group called "Budiriro Yemadzimai," consisting of 25 women, includingnineyouths
Since November 2023, the women have been producing crops such as English cucumber,greenpepper,andtomatoesincycles Despitehavingnopriorexperience withgreenhousefarming,theyhavesuccessfullymanagedthesensitivenatureofthis innovative farming method The group established a constitution and a strategic committee,enhancingtheiroperationaleffectiveness
Eneresi, one of the group members shared that, “We face challenges like limited market access and water supply and these have impacted our yields, but we have produced high-quality crops, raising $1,500 USD, reinvested into the project. We havealsopurchasedfoodhampersforallgroupourmembers Moreover,myselfand another group member have replicated the greenhouse farming model at our homesteadsonasmallerscale”
“We are continuously reinvesting in the greenhouse to ensure the project's sustainability We envision using proceeds to establish similar greenhouses and support other livelihood ventures We are making efforts to comply with supplier registrationrequirementsandengagewithothergreenhousefarmersforknowledge exchange,”sheproudlyconcluded
“Greenhouse farming has completely changed my perspective about farming Inowbelievethatourlivescanreallybetransformedthrough agriculture InthewakeoftheElNiño-induceddrought,greenhouse production has been a shield for us women We have been able to reducehungerinourhomesthroughthisproject Theproceedsfrom thegreenhousehavealsoenabledmetobuymaterialsandseedlingsfor mymakeshiftgreenhousebackathomewhereIamcurrentlygrowing tomatoes.Iamseeingmyselfgoingfar.”–EneresTakawira,Project Beneficiary
'I now believe our lives can really be transformed through agriculture'Eneresi Takawira
ENERES TAKAWIRA, PROJECT BENEFICIARY
Empowering Farmers to Face Climate Change -MALAWI-
WeEffect,hascommitteditselftosupportingsmallholderfarmersinMalawitoproducehighcropyieldsdespitethechallengesposedbyclimatechange WeEffect's SecretaryGeneral,AnnaTibblin,highlightedthiscommitmentduringavisittoSalimadistrictinApril,wheresheandotherofficialsfromtheorganization’sheadquartersin Swedenreviewedtheongoinginterventions
AnnaTibblinemphasizedtheurgencyofadaptingtoclimatechange,noting,“Climatechangeisnomoreastrangething;hencepeople,especiallyfarmers,mustadapttoit andembraceitseffectstoensurefoodsecurity Farmersneedtohavethetoolstofaceclimatechange Wesupportsmallholderfarmingcommunitiestodevelopearly warningsystemsanddifferenttechnologiestofacetheeffectsofclimatechange”
Theorganizationaimstoempowerlocalfarmerswiththeknowledgeandskillsnecessarytoeventuallysustaintheirfarmingpracticesindependently WeEffectMalawi CountryManager,EstherChirwa,echoedTibblin’ssentiments,stating,“Weareencouragingdiversificationofcrops,especiallythosethatcanbenefitthefarmer Weare alsoequippingfarmerswithexpertiseandmodernfarmingwayssotheycanstillgetgoodyieldsinthefaceofclimatechange”
ChirwaaddedthatWeEffectprimarilyworkswithfarmersingroups,focusingonupliftingsmallholderfarmersthroughcooperativeefforts Thiscooperativeapproach helpsbuildresilienceandensuresthatthebenefitsoftheinterventionsreachalargernumberoffarmers
DrianaLwanda,ChiefExecutiveOfficerfortheAfricanInstituteofCorporateCitizenship(AICC),apartnerorganization,stressedtheimportanceofclimateresiliencein theirprojects.“Wehavebeentrainingthefarmersonhowtogrowcottonusingsustainableandresilientways,aswellashowtheycangrowriceinthefaceofclimatechange usingthesystemsofricediversification Thefarmersareawareofclimatechangeissuesandcanusethedifferentinterventionsthatwehaveintroducedtothem Theycan adoptthedifferentresilientprocesses,”saidLwanda
OneofthefarmerswhohassuccessfullyadoptedtheseinterventionsisMosesTsamba,acottongrowerinSalima Tsambapraisedtheimpactoftheinitiatives,saying,“We aregettingalotofsupportfromAICCandWeEffect Wearegettingthebestfarmingpractices”
WeEffectaimstoempowerlocalcommunitiesacrossvariousdistrictsinMalawithroughcooperativedevelopmentwithlocalpartnerorganizations ApartfromAICC, otherlocalpartnersworkingwithWeEffectincludetheFarmer'sUnionofMalawi(FUM),theMalawiUnionofSavingsandCreditCooperatives(MUSCCO),andthe CentralRegionMilkProducersAssociation(CREMPA),amongothers
