Zimbabwe

Practical Action Southern Africa

Practical Action Southern Africa is the regional office of the Group with active projects in Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Since 1989, our work in the region and particularly in Zimbabwe has allowed us to build an understanding of the development approaches that work best in the region and this has seen us supporting small producers in a wide range of technologies ranging from food production to manufacturing.

People in Zimbabwe have had to cope with a rapidly changing environment over the last decade, through economic and political change. Despite the commitment of public, private and non-governmental sectors to fight rising poverty levels, the challenges of poverty and marginalisation of small producers are getting worse.

But the situation is not hopeless. Sustainable and appropriate technologies can make a real difference to people's lives. Simple technologies like bio-latrines and deep wells, suitably located and installed, help to prevent the spread of cholera.

Our work in Zimbabwe and Zambia includes:

Rainwater harvesting Rainwater harvesting is a way of capturing rain as it falls and retaining it in the soil or in tanks below ground so it can be later used as a source of clean water. Improved sanitation In the slums of Harare, the ecosan toilet can help to reduce diseases such as cholera, and transform lives for poor communities. Farming and HIV/AIDS By helping people living with HIV/AIDS to share farming skills, the community as a whole can produce more food, and families’ general health will improve.

Second Voice A cheap, but advanced piece of communications technology allows isolated communities to receive and share information simply and easily. Drip irrigation Drip irrigation systems are a simple technology that collects and stores water, and enables farmers to nourish and grow the crops they need.

For further information, please see the Practical Action Southern Africa website