Educate and Empower 18,000 Girls in Zimbabwe

Since the worst drought in Zimbabwean history in 1992, Zimbabwe and the southern African region has been experiencing extreme dry spells. This year President Mnangagwa has declared a national disaster as the country faces a drought predicted to last. Once the breadbasket of Africa, Zimbabwe has become a landscape of brown dust and whipping grass. According to UNICEF, in April an estimated 2.6 million Zimbabweans are now exposed to extreme water insecurity. Due to El Niño and changing climate patterns, farms across the country have lost their crops time and time again. Once deep green fields of maize are now sun-shriveled remnants of what once was.

The Vocational Skills Training Program takes in at-risk girls from rural areas, most of which are facing extreme water and food insecurity due to the drought. In many rural communities, families are eating one meager meal every 3 or so days. As rivers dry, cattle die, farms wither, and food becomes scarce, the agricultural industry is under an intense demand, causing prices to skyrocket and bellies left empty. Now more than ever, farmers trained to withstand drought by growing drought-resistant crops, understanding changing climate patterns, and adapting with little water, are beyond needed. These girls are learning these exact skills at Agros Farm, daily getting hands-on-experience in greenhouse and traditional farming amidst turbulent times.

It all starts with education. Knowledge is power; and when nothing is certain in an ever-changing climate and political landscape, there is few more necessary than capable, resilient, and well trained determined young agriculturalists, willing to withstand the turbulence of Zimbabwean farming.

Our girls are currently seeing the easier side of farming, they are working on an established farm, green and prospering, fixed with greenhouses, fields, equipment and educated trainers. They know what it is to produce cabbages the size of a toddler and tomatoes redder than the African sun. They are yet to experience what it is to manage a crop where planting seasons are in constant flux and when a rain cloud hasn’t been seen in months. At Agros Farm we have the blessing of having a deep and productive borehole, and many hands and brains to keep things running.

This is not to say we do not face our own myriads of issues relating to the drought, we constantly have pumps burning out and drip lines burst. The hot African wind takes a toll on the best of farmers. However, we are beyond blessed. Abroad we have donors like AFCA to support us and allow us to do the work we do. On the ground we have 17 girls who carry buckets when the pumps burn out and knowledgeable managers to fix drip lines when they burst.

Though the girls are having an easier entrance into farming than your average Zimbabwean rural homesteader, this is by design. They have the freedom to succeed, fail and learn in this year. They see what it is to have a prosperous cucumber yield and how discouraging it is when pests ravage a greenhouse. Without donors like AFCA our girls would not be able to experience both sides of the coin. Their farming escapades would be over before they began, covered in the dust of farming-dreams-past.

Our farm is not only for training purposes. Amidst this drought and increased market prices, produce from Agros farm and the work of the girls has provided a stable source of nutritious meals for over 70 children. These girls from rural communities where farming practices have been stopped due to a sheer lack of water, are able to proudly say that they are providing for those around them. They are preparing to go out into the world better equipped to handle what Zimbabwe has to throw at them. Of course, education and 17 girls being trained does not reverse a drought or solve poverty, but it does at least give hope for a brighter future.

Everyone here at the American Foundation for Children with AIDS, and our partners in Africa, thank you for your continued support of this important project.  If you would like to learn even more about this project and others, please contact Tanya Weaver at tweaver@AFCAids.org.