Zimbabwe
» Capital: Harare» Population: 12.9 million
» Concern started work in: 2002
» Concern's annual budget: €2,230,945
» Concern staff: 116
» GDP per capita: US $2,065
» Life expectancy: 36.6 years
» Living with HIV&AIDS: 20.1%
» Literacy: 90%
» Currency: Zimbabwe Dollar
Mainstreaming HIV within a Livelihood Programme (nutrition gardens)
Why Concern is there
Four years ago Concern started food distributions to people affected by drought in Zimbabwe. During this time it became apparent that longer term preventions were needed to be reinforced within the project, especially in areas of HIV prevalence.
Gardening has always been an important part of a rural women’s workload. Small gardens are used to grow crops to supplement the staple food of maize. But lacking water sources, fertilisers and different varieties of seeds, and increasing demands on a women’s time, as a result of HIV&AIDS, meant that many have been neglected or abandoned.
Increasingly men have been forced to leave to work on commercial farms to support their families. Leaving women headed households, the elderly and children have been left to work the land. Much of this land is not arable in its current state.
In addition many are struggling with the HIV virus either because they are sick themselves or caring for the sick, or looking after children of relatives who have passed away.
What Concern has done
Concern began its nutritional garden project in October 2005, to improve the nutritional value or agricultural production of poor families.
Amongst the targeted beneficiaries for this project 75% were affected by HIV&AIDS.
Ensuring that interventions met the specific needs of HIV affected families, Concern provided seeds and tools, taught conservation farming and a micro irrigation scheme as well as nutrition gardens
Concern with government agricultural extension officers carried out regular training and feedback sessions. Concern project staff also taught nutrition and cooking methods.
At seed distribution points, storyboards were used to present clear messages about HIV and nutrition and spark discussion.
This case study highlights how Concern has included a nutrition garden project within a broader livelihoods programme to help meet the rights of people directly affected by HIV&AIDS without fuelling discrimination.
Download full case study in .pdf format
