28 SEPTEMBER 2023– Mwenezi Development Training Centre (MDTC) is pleased to announce the Strengthening Community Resilience Initiative in Chiredzi district of Zimbabwe Activity funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) office. The one-year, US$1,592,356 activity will focus on strengthening and diversifying livelihoods and resilience to future shocks and vulnerability to recurrent crises for approximately 2,000 households through improved livestock management, increased income opportunities, and improved access water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
The activity will work to improve food security, nutrition, and incomes through indigenous poultry production for 860 households. The funding will support building materials for poultry houses, in addition to training on feed formulation, breed improvement, and how to use solar-powered incubators. Participants will have access to livestock inputs, which include 17,200 chicks, poultry stock feed, veterinary kits, and eight solar powered incubators. To improve access to markets, MDTC will link poultry farmers to local markets.
The activity will drill eight solar-powered boreholes to improve access to safe, clean water for households and livestock. These boreholes will ease the burden for women and children who typically fetch water. Through community health clubs, the activity will improve sanitation and hygiene by supporting 7,200 people to build latrines at their households.
The activity will integrate cross-cutting issues for marginalized people–including women, youth, the elderly, and people living with disabilities–by supporting on- and off-farm livelihood opportunities. MDTC will train 100 youths in entrepreneurship skills and 200 participants in Village Savings and Loan Associations groups. In addition, the activity will address gender equity and child protection, promote good nutritional behaviour, and train participants in agricultural methods that protect the environment.
Mwenezi Development Training Centre (MDTC) is a local organisation that strives to enhance food security and build resilience of the vulnerable rural households through integrated and participatory approaches.
MDTC is proud to be the first local non-governmental organisation to receive successive awards from USAID through its BHA Office. MDTC is grateful for the continued support and partnership with USAID, which has enabled it to improve the livelihoods of thousands of vulnerable families in Chiredzi.
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For more information please contact: Promise Makoni
Programmes Managing Director
, Mob. +263773003677
Amos Batisayi
Communications Officer
+263775353810
amos.batisayi@mdtco.org.zw
