Foreword

Matebeleland region is prone to various natural disasters like drought, hunger, livestock sickness, floods, soil erosion, high winds etc. This puts the community at high risk of human and animal life. Added to it food security is highly compromised. To withstand this the only proven way is Community LED DRM. This requires the involvement of each one starting with children.

As one of its strategy in building community resilience to future disasters, Caritas initiated Community led Risk Management TOT trainings in 15 wards of Matobo district. The strategy was part of the Complementary Livelihood related activities implemented by People Assisted (Pas) in the Lean season support programme. TOTs were used as drivers of change in all the operational wards of Matobo.

SOLAR DRYING

Drying is a traditional method for preserving food. Solar energy is spread out in nature and readily available thus suitable for crop drying. Solar driers can be made locally to any size and capacity, they are also economical if cash crops are dried. Solar drying can be done in many ways.  It can be done using equipment that collects the sun’s radiation to harness the radioactive energy for drying applications.  Solar driers trap the freely available sun energy while ensuring good product quality via sustainable use of radioactive heat.

Huntsman disused open well has been a hazard to the villagers in ward 22 Bubi district Matabeleland North Zimbabwe. People used to steal livestock and throw hides in the open well. Children used to frequent the place, throwing stones into the pit. The openness of the pit was a death trap to livestock and villagers.

Why use fuel efficient stoves?

An open fire is 90% efficient at the work of turning wood into energy. But only a small proportion, from 10% to 40%, of the released energy makes it into the pot. Improving combustion efficiency does not help a stove to use less fuel, improving heat transfer efficiency to the pot makes a large difference. Improving the combustion efficiency is necessary to reduce smoke and harmful emissions that damage health. Improving heat transfer efficiency can significantly reduce fuel use.  To reduce emissions and fuel use, first clean up the fire and then force as much energy into the pot as possible.  Best practice is to add a chimney to any wood burning cooking stove. Chimneys that take smoke and other emissions out of the living space protect the family by reducing exposure to pollutants and health risks.

Our borehole used to be heavy, women were spending productive time queuing for more than one hour. Solarization of our borehole has made it easy for our women and children to engage in other livelihood activities.