Healing the land, empowering communities: How gully reclamation is transforming Mwenezi
Mwenezi District is characterized by soils that easily break down and wash away, which has resulted in formation of deep gullies (pictured below) and sedimentation of water bodies. The scale of the problem is evident in the loss of critical water infrastructure. At least 23 earth dams constructed to harvest and store seasonal rainfall runoff have already become non-functional due to siltation, while many others remain at risk. These dams play a vital role in supporting rural livelihoods by providing water for livestock, small-scale irrigation, and domestic use, particularly during the long dry periods that characterize the district. The gullies cut through grazing areas, reducing available pasture, which negatively affects livestock production, washing away croplands, and endangering homesteads. The Locally led Indigenous Nature Based Solutions for Climate Change Adaptation in Zimbabwe (LINCZ) Project championed a community-driven gully reclamation initiative across six wards, restoring degraded ecosystems while empowering local communities through inclusive, participatory action.
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What we know shapes what we can do: Psychosocial adaptation to environmental change in Zimbabwe
By Jobb Dixon Arnold, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology and Conflict Resolution Studies
Zimbabwe was hit hard by extreme drought in 2024, just as LINCZ project activities were getting underway. The drought brought severe heat waves and the lowest recorded rainfall in more than 40 years, which prompted the government to declare a national state of emergency. During early research visits to Binga, Gwanda, and Mwenezi districts, it became clear that the impacts of the drought were devastating.
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Dwindling natural safety nets: the impact of mopane worm decline on food security and livelihoods
By Ntuthuko Ngwenya (MCC Zimbabwe)
The "butterfly" lifeline
In the parched landscapes of Gwanda and Mwenezi, where the dry soils of southern Zimbabwe meet an unforgiving sun, one tree stands as a silent guardian of survival: Colophospermum mopane. Commonly known in English as mopane, this native tree with distinctive butterfly-shaped leaves is not merely a national botanical feature; it is a "natural safety net" for thousands of households.
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Video highlights from MCC’s workshop in Zambia’s Choma district
Representatives from Mennonite Central Committee's Southern Central Africa and Nigeria (SCAN) region recently gathered in Zambia's Choma district for a collaborative gender training workshop. Focused on strengthening gender analysis and integrating inclusive practices into all projects, the workshop blended learning sessions with community field visits. Participants explored local livelihoods, connected with resilient farming communities, and were warmly welcomed through song, poetry, and shared meals.
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Telling the stories: women and water in Binga District
By Dr. Wendy Kroeker and Hannah Janzen, Research Assistant
"Tell the stories." This was the advice that Agree Dube, Program Manager for MCC Zimbabwe gave to us during a recent visit to Binga district, Zimbabwe. We were back in the car, having just visited a village borehole with several community members. After witnessing the challenges community members face in accessing water, we sat processing the heaviness of what had been shared and grappled with how not to let these experiences end as stories only to be documented and moved on from.
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