Lutheran Development Services

13/08/2026

📸✨ Check out the highlights from our National Validation Meeting in Gwanda.

Christian Aid Start Network

13/08/2026

🚨 HAPPENING NOW

Christian Aid Start Network
We are hosting our National Validation Meeting for the Anticipatory Action Protocol, marking a major milestone in building climate resilience for our communities!

This high-level hybrid session brought together virtual national representatives from the Disaster Risk Management & Civil Protection Unit (DCPU) and the Meteorological Services Department, alongside local district government leaders physically in attendance.

Together, we validated key readiness activities spearheaded under the Gwanda Anticipatory Action Operational Readiness Project (GAARP). Stakeholders expressed strong support for our key interventions, including:

🌱 Climate-Smart Agriculture approaches tailored for local resilience
💧 Capacity testing of 12 vital community boreholes
📡 Enhanced Early Warning Systems to keep farmers informed
🌾 Innovation in fodder seed access, solving a critical bottleneck for local livestock farmers

What’s next?
With the recent WFP forecast model triggering anticipatory action, we are moving full steam ahead. The follow-up phase is set to hit the ground by the end of August! 🚀

07/08/2026

Just about today,

Ms. Kumbirai Mapfiza took the stage to give a massive shoutout to the amazing partners and stakeholders who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us throughout this fast-paced project.

A HUGE thank you to our partners Start Network Christian Aid for fueling this mission and empowering local communities to stay ahead of climate shocks! 🌾💧💪

When stakeholders, local leaders, and communities unite, big things happen. Thank you to everyone who brought their energy, wisdom, and dedication to the table! 🚀🔥

07/08/2026

🌍 BEATING THE DROUGHT: How Gwanda Communities are Preparing for El Niño 🌾☀️

Time flies when impact is being made! Today marked our district closeout meeting for the fast-paced Gwanda Anticipatory Action Operation Readiness Project (GAARP), running from 13 July to 13 August.

Over the past month, Lutheran Development Services hit the ground running to ensure our communities aren't just reacting to climate shocks, but staying ahead of them.

Here is what we accomplished together:

👥 Reaching the Grassroots:
Following our initial district inception meeting, we took the conversation straight to the wards. Over 1,000 community members across all 5 wards attended our inception and consultation meetings!

🗣️ Key Findings:
* Radio, social media, and dedicated AGRITEX officers have done a great job spreading El Niño awareness.
* While awareness is high, actual preparation (like Intwasa, destocking livestock, preserving fodder, and secure grain storage) remains low for many households.
* Local farmers voiced clear priorities to survive lean periods: improved water infrastructure, drought-tolerant crop & fodder seeds, school feeding schemes, and livestock dipping support.

📜 Planning for the Future:
The biggest win? We channeled these community insights into action by completing full contingency planning and crafting a 2-Year Anticipatory Action Protocol to protect lives and livelihoods!

👇 Tell us in the comments: How are you preparing your home or farm for the upcoming season?

Start Network Christian Aid

07/08/2026

Behind the scenes,

Ever wondered how experts determine the exact layout for a piped scheme? Mr. S. Mpotegwa from department of Irrigation walks us through the step-by-step process, including the essential questions.

This is Souza borehole in Tibeli, ward 15, Gwanda.

Christian Aid Start Network

06/08/2026

06/08/2026

Anticipatory Actions at best, today the Lutheran Development Services joined by Christian Aid participated in cattle dipping and vaccination of the 3 in 1 prondistar at Nyabezi dipping tank ward 17 in Gwanda South under the Gwanda Anticipatory Action Readines Project

05/08/2026

Ward 17, Gwanda... this one’s for YOU! 🙌🔥

We’ve been out in the field with our partners from Christian Aid Zimbabwe. Here is what we’ve been working on together on the ground:

📦 Double-checking that every beneficiary got their inputs quickly and directly!

🗣️ Catching up on local trainings, ward consultations, and safeguarding sessions. Your feedback makes this work better every day!

📑 Tightening up all our financial paperwork and compliance checks ahead of our August 13 deadline!

🎥 Hit PLAY on the video below to see your neighbors and community in action! 📹👇

💬 Tag someone from Ward 17 who needs to see this today, and drop a ❤️ if you’re proud of the progress happening in Gwanda!

31/07/2026

🚜 3 Days, 5 Wards, 5,000 Lives Touched!

Bringing support closer to home! 🌾

Our team just wrapped up an intensive 3-day distribution marathon (28–30 July), delivering essential seed inputs to 5,000 beneficiaries across 5 wards in Gwanda.

To prioritize safety and ease the burden of long travel, we took a safeguarding-first approach. Instead of hosting massive single-location gatherings, we brought the distribution directly to clustered village points near you!

📍 Here’s how we covered the ground:

Tuesday (Ward 15): Pulipeli, Selonga, D***o & Tibeli
Wednesday (Wards 17 & 24): Nhwali, Seboza, Patana, Manama, Bengo & Fumukwe
Thursday (Wards 16 & 19): Mapate, Zelezele, Matanangombe, Mlambaphele & Halisupi

A huge thank you to our partners Start Network and Christian Aid for making this community-centered work possible as we prepare for the Elnino in Gwanda! 💚✨