SowHope’s approach of partnering with local leaders to address local problems using local solutions is making a tangible difference in the lives of women. A perfect example of this is our partnership in Zimbabwe, where SowHope’s funding of community-driven projects is proving that empowering people to create their own solutions is truly effective.
In recent years, Zimbabwe has been facing the severe effects of climate change, prompting farmers to seek more climate-resilient methods of farming. During the 2023-2024 planting season, Tendai, one of our partners in Zimbabwe, came up with a groundbreaking idea: growing bananas in a semi-desert area. This innovative idea was inspired by discussions with friends in Kenya and Zambia, and a visit to Honde Valley—the only region in Zimbabwe where bananas are currently grown.
Dr. Sylvia Juta, SowHope’s Program Director, recently visited Tendai’s new banana farm and was impressed by the incredible work being done by a group of 100 women. These women are excited to be pioneers in the banana project and are filled with hope for the future. They shared their vision of creating various value-added products from their banana plantation, including banana flour for baking, instant baby porridge, and banana wine. The banana stalks will also be used to make woven goods, while the banana leaves will provide feed for poultry and pigs. Beyond bananas, the women are also raising pigs and, guinea fowls, and growing papaw trees.
