Takunda

11/03/2026

Celebrating Impact: Takunda National Celebratory Meeting

Today in Harare, government, development partners, the private sector, civil society, and community representatives gathered for the Takunda National Celebratory Meeting to reflect on the programme’s impact and the journey under the theme: From Support to Self-Reliance.

Guest of Honour Professor Dr. Obert Jiri, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Zim, commended Takunda for translating government strategies into practical solutions that strengthen resilience. Reflecting on visits to Chivi and Buhera, he described Takunda-supported gardens as “green islands” even during the El Niño-induced drought and emphasized the need to move from subsistence to enterprise: “We don’t want to see gardens, we want to see businesses.”

The meeting highlighted key achievements, including 126 established gardens and of these 40 are now under insurance. Participants shared inspiring stories of transformation — from seed suppliers and diversified farmers to entrepreneurs creating jobs in their communities.

As the programme closes, partners reaffirmed the importance of government leadership, private sector engagement, and strong partnerships to sustain and scale Takunda’s results across Zimbabwe.




Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Zim Glytime Foods Environment Africa Zimbabwe Nutrition Action Zimbabwe Bulawayo Projects Centre - BPC FHI 360 ICRISAT Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network

08/03/2026

26/02/2026

Voices That Inspire

We are closing an incredible Takunda chapter across Buhera, Chivi, Mutare, and Zaka Rural Districts and what a journey it has been.

Hear directly from CARE Zimbabwe former Country Director, Takunda Project Director, and most importantly the communities themselves as they share the vision behind the United States Government (USG) funded and CARE Zimbabwe-led Takunda Project.

Press play to experience real stories of lives , incomes , and communities becoming and more self-reliant.

You can also access the video using this link⤵️:
https://youtu.be/dNMddluPSms?si=kFL8MZpqGETa3t3V

20/02/2026

03/02/2026

The story of Erimond Mhazo: From Support to Self-Reliance, From clearing school debts to supplying schools with tracksuits.

Erimond Mhazo’s life has changed for the better thanks to the United States Government (USG) funded Takunda Project implemented by CARE Zimbabwe together with partners.

Today, he runs a sustainable business and supports his family including paying school fees for his younger sister.

Link:
https://youtu.be/C6TkZwgYQBo

23/01/2026

“With support from Takunda, I have been able to register my own fodder production company, called Mombeyamuka Fodder Production,” shares a proud Gandani Nhachi from Buhera Rural District. Fodder is essential for livestock survival, particularly in dryland districts like Buhera. Ensuring access to reliable fodder sources helps farmers maintain the health and productivity of their animals during periods of extreme feed scarcity.

Gandani is one of 41 400 farmers empowered by Takunda through hands-on training in soil and water conservation, fodder production, and how to grow more food while earning more money through the Farmer Field Business School (FFBS) and other sustainable farming practices. Today, he is not only growing his business but also giving back as a Lead Farmer, committed to passing on knowledge and best farming practices to his community long after the project ends.

We celebrate and express our gratitude to Gandani and all the dedicated farmers we have had the privilege to work with through Takunda, a Resilience Food Security Activity led by CARE Zimbabwe, with funding support from the United States Government (USG).

21/01/2026

This Wednesday, we celebrate our Takunda Heroes

Meet Tendai Jacob Mukwada, a skilled local Master Craftsman from Ward 12 of Mutare Rural District. Through Takunda, he has trained young people in practical technical skills in welding, carpentry, and mechanics, empowering them to earn an income, support their families, and meet their own needs.

Some of the youths he trained have gone on to start their own businesses after receiving start-up capital through the United States Government-funded Takunda Project.

To date, the CARE Zimbabwe-led Takunda Project has capacitated 13 568 youths with technical, vocational and entrepreneurial competences and life-skills training.

Fondly known as Njake-Njake, Tendai is one of the 147 Local Master Craftspersons working with Takunda to transform young lives.

Thank you to all our Takunda Heroes for investing in youth.

14/01/2026

As we step into 2026, our hearts are full of gratitude. As the CARE Zimbabwe-led Takunda is coming to an end, we want to celebrate the incredible journey we have shared.

To the communities who welcomed us, the government partners who guided us, and our generous donor who believed in this vision, . Because of our collective efforts, the lives we have touched are stronger, more empowered, and full of hope for the future.

“Through selling enriched porridges, I have been able to pay US$570 in school fees per semester for my son at Gwanda Theological College,” shares Maneta Matingwina from Ward 24 in Zaka Rural District.

Maneta is one of the 54 dedicated members of the Tichaedza Solar-Powered Borehole & Garden established with support from the United States Government (USG), she has embraced multiple project interventions, from enriched porridge production to soil and water conservation practices.

Among other interventions, the project has established a total of 126 gardens in four districts of Buhera, Chivi, Mutare and Zaka.



Nutrition Action Zimbabwe Bulawayo Projects Centre - BPC Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network FHI 360 Environment Africa Zimbabwe ICRISAT

05/12/2025

For years, Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) have enabled women to lift themselves and their families out of poverty in developing countries.

In rural Zimbabwe, VSLAs are transforming lives—helping families save, access loans and build better futures. Chipo Madoda from Chivi Rural District has used her VSLA to buy goats and complete her home while her husband worked in South Africa. Her 16-member group keeps growing stronger through weekly savings, helping each household buy essentials like goats and cement and overcome past financial struggles.

Now, thanks to CARE Zimbabwe's United States Government (USG)-supported Takunda Project and the Ministry of Women Affairs Community Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MWACSMED), in collaboration with key government stakeholders, academia, the private sector and other NGOs, national VSLA Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been adopted into key government policies. This milestone strengthens support for savings groups, aligns community-driven economic empowerment with national development priorities, and lays the foundation for sustainable, inclusive economic growth.

05/12/2025

For years, Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) have enabled women to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.

21/11/2025

For years, 35-year-old Tariro Tizai from Madhuviko village (Zaka Rural District) lived with her husband and two daughters in a single, old, thatched hut — a home that leaked when it rained. Every day was a reminder of how hard it is to raise a family without a safe place to call home.

But everything began to change in August 2024.

That is when Tariro joined the Kushinga Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) group, formed with support from the Takunda Project, a CARE Zimbabwe–led and United States Government–funded initiative. Through this community-driven group, members save together, access small loans, and build a safety net for emergencies.

Contributing just US$5 a month, Tariro took small, steady steps forward. She began a broiler poultry project — starting with 15 chickens, then growing to 25 per batch. With discipline, determination, and support from her VSLA share-out, she was able to buy cement and other materials to begin building something she had only dreamed of a modern, secure two-roomed house for her family.

“The money from our VSLA group changed my life,” she said.

Today, she has already contributed US$400 into construction, and her new home has reached the roofing stage. If all goes well, she hopes her family will move in by the end of 2025.

Tariro’s journey is a powerful reminder of what happens when women have access to savings, opportunity, and community support.