My Age Africa’s through the STEPS project is making significant strides in fostering climate resilience and sustainable development across Zimbabwe, as evidenced by recent community engagements. Through impactful screenings and dedicated in-house sessions, the project is empowering communities to address the intersection of climate change and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) while simultaneously cultivating innovative, locally owned initiatives.
In Chikutuva Village, a community screening blossomed into a pioneering brick moulding project. This initiative will generate income to support poultry farming and tree nurseries, spearheaded by the local youth. A remarkable demonstration of ingenuity, the brick moulding site will be rehabilitated using household waste, transforming it into compost to enrich a community garden. This “waste into wealth” approach not only preserves land from degradation but also ensures a sustainable food source.
Similarly, a screening at Rujeko Secondary School inspired students to champion “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” practices within their school and commit to planting trees across the campus, enhancing their environment.
Further emphasising community ownership, an in-house session in Tafirenyika Muchachari Village focused on reviving a communal garden. With the STEPS team’s advocacy and the community’s unanimous agreement, the project aims to re-establish a functional garden, starting with diverse vegetables for resale to local markets. The Village Head has pledged to expand the garden as the initiative grows, ensuring broader youth participation.
The STEPS project’s overarching goal is to maximise impact by facilitating the creation of sustainable, climate-sensitive initiatives that are community-owned and thrive beyond the project’s funding cycle. As the project enters its third year of implementation, the focus remains on amplifying local “community voices” to inspire neighbouring communities to embark on their own journeys of climate resilience.
