As we mark the 62nd Africa Day, the African continent has progressed, riding on its immense potential. Yet, the lack of self-reliance continues to hinder the achievement of sustainable development for people by the people themselves.
At this event, our focus is on: “What Can Africa Do To Achieve Self RelianceIn All Its Forms”, whether in food production, environmental protection, education, health, industrialisation, peace initiatives, or empowering youth to participate in production, for the future. The cutting of health funding for TB, HIV and Malaria calls for African countries to develop self-reliant plans and goals that are sustainable. We, the people on the African continent, must start to forge a positive path towards self-reliance, which is needed to make the continent self-sufficient now and in the future.
“To build resilient economies, Africa must chart its future, relying not on the benevolence of others but on its own determination for self-reliance, building reliable alliances, leveraging opportunities in the global dynamics, while putting Africa first. Only then will Africa be great again!”, says Akinwumi Adesina, President for African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Achieving self-reliance starts with people organising themselves to improve their living conditions independently, using home initiatives and local resources at their disposal.Africa has all it needs for people to govern their own lives successfully,push for actions against poverty, and promote African agency to achieve self-reliance.
Since establishment 45 years ago, DAPP Zimbabwe has continued to work together with communities living in disadvantaged communities to carry out self-reliant actions for sustainable change through its various projects, be it in agriculture, health, education, community development and in the face of natural disasters.
In Chivi District, Farmers’ Clubs Chivi engages 1.500 smallholder farmers in sustainable agriculture practices to build resilience and start self-reliance activities as a response to the increasing challenges due to the effects of climate change that continue to threaten their livelihoods and own means of survival. Smallholder farmers are organised in 30 Farmers’ Clubs to find a common path towards self-reliance through adopting conservation agriculture, growing small grains, rearing small livestock, diversifying sources of income through savings clubs and using indigenous knowledge to protect the environment sustainably.
Club life strengthens community cohesion, mutual exchange of ideas, and finding common solutions to achieve self-reliance. Multiple activities by Farmers’ Clubs Chivi contribute to economic empowerment, which smallholders depend on to improve their own lives sustainably.
In Shamva District, Frontline Institute Zimbabwe trains key persons of Humana People to People projects to be on the frontline of development and fight against poverty, illiteracy, climate change, inequalities and diseases. At the school, 80% of the key staff are youths trained to promote self-reliance and start sustainable actions of change together with the people in surrounding communities and those of countries they visit during the trick cycling study tour in Southern Africa. This period broadens the students’ perspective beyond their imagination, enabling them to engage directly in finding locally driven solutions whilst being exposed to the realities of less privileged communities. In 2024, the school reached over 15,000 families through self-reliance initiatives in health, education, climate action, and economic empowerment.
The Total Control of Tuberculosis (TC TB) Makoni Project reduces the burden of HIV and TB by addressing stigma and discrimination, raising awareness, and improving diagnosis and treatment services. At the heart of the project are trained community volunteers and leaders who are instrumental in identifying new infections, increasing case finding, and forming TRIOs for care and support. These established community health structures contribute to building sustainable community health ownership even when the project has been phased out.
In 2024, over 80,000 people were reached, including farmers trained in sustainable farming practices, savings groups, and local climate adaptation strategies. By addressing health and socio-economic challenges simultaneously, the TC TB Makoni project supports Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 for inclusive and sustainable development.
The road to self-sufficiency may have its challenges. Still, by embracing self-reliance, we, the people on the African continent, have the strengths and the potential to build a continent where food security is a reality, economic growth is sustainable, and the well-being of people is prioritised to create hope and resilience. It requires concerted efforts and community cohesion to build on existing people-to-people self-reliance initiatives. Humana People to People continues to learn, support and find new ways together with communities to build resilience and self-reliance against external challenges.
As the world marks the 55th Earth Day, humanity is facing tough challenges to survive due to the worsening state of the planet Earth caused by unsustainable human activities.
Across the globe, communities are working together to find solutions to the worsening environment year after year. Yet, their food security, incomes, and health continue to be threatened by climate change, as they possess the fewest resources to cope with its impacts. Pollution prevention and biodiversity loss add to the dire situation.
The investment available for environmental protection is not enough to change the current state of the Earth; people need to change their attitudes and become more aware of the impact of their actions on the environment. Restoring the environment calls for living in harmony with nature, renewing commitments to invest in clean energy, reducing the production and consumption of new products, preventing pollution, and embracing sustainable, regenerative environment practices.
DAPP Zimbabwe is committed to protecting the planet, building communities and supporting people by connecting them with others in transformative and sustainable programmes, unleashing their potential for positive change and action.
An example is our Green Paths for You (Th) and Climate Project in Shamva District that is empowering 300 young people to drive environmental sustainability actions through training in four thematic courses: agroforestry, aquaculture, apiculture and horticulture. These courses respond to local market demands while considering climate-related aspects. By integrating climate-smart agriculture training with interactive learning methods, youths gain skills and knowledge to protect the environment while generating income.
Despite environmental challenges, restoring the planet is achievable. It only requires actions that inspire hope and empower communities to build resilience against the impacts of climate change. DAPP Zimbabwe recognizes the significance of collective action in the fight to restore the planet’s ecosystem by collaborating with partners and governments to enhance sustainable practices that protect the Earth.
DAPP Zimbabwe is proud to share its 2024 Annual Progress Report, showcasing the organization’s achievements in promoting sustainable development across the country.
With over 40 years of experience, DAPP Zimbabwe has been complementing government efforts through implementing short and long-term development projects in five thematic areas: Health, Agriculture, Education, Community Development, and Emergency. The 2024 report reflects a collective effort that has made a significant impact on people’s lives in Mashonaland Central, Manicaland and Masvingo provinces.
In the year 2024, our presence impacted the lives of 258,000 individuals from all circles. Notably, DAPP worked with 4,622 smallholder farmers using innovative models like Farmers’ Clubs and From Communal to Commercial Farmer, resulting in strengthened farmers’ resilience and improved agriculture production. Additionally, 692 students received support from Early Childhood Development to tertiary level, while life skills and vocational training enhanced employability and self-employment opportunities for youth.
The organization’s health projects empowered individuals and communities to take an active role in their own health through person-centered care models. By prioritizing awareness on HIV, TB, reproductive health, hygiene, and sanitation, DAPP reached 115,000 people with TB and HIV information. Community Development projects worked with 1,831 families promoting children’s rights through a family-centered approach.
DAPP Zimbabwe pledges to continue working shoulder-to-shoulder with communities to improve their lives and promote sustainable development. The organization’s success is attributed to the collective effort of its staff, volunteers, government, stakeholders, and valuable partners.
Over the past two and half years, the colliding AIDS and COVID-19 pandemics along with economic and humanitarian crises have placed the global HIV response under increasing threat (UNAIDS Global AIDS Update 2022). Despite Zimbabwe’s progress in combating TB and achieving the 95-95-95 UNAIDS target, TB continues to pose a substantial threat to public health, necessitating sustained efforts to eradicate it.
The gap between health needs and the resources available to meet them is alarmingly wide. By taking immediate action and investing more in HIV and TB healthcare, the global health community can save lives, enhance well-being, and promote the rights through building stronger and more resilient health systems for all.
As DAPP Zimbabwe, our health programmes mainly respond to the HIV epidemic, TB, malaria and malnutrition. We have established project structures, but the true strength of our health programmes lies in our connections with the communities we serve.
On this day, April 7th, 2025, as the World commemorates the 77th World Health Day, we take the opportunity to highlight the work of some of our projects in the health sector, HOPE Bindura and TC TB Makoni, which are committed to prioritising HIV/AIDS and TB in urban and rural District areas.
The HOPE Bindura project, established in 1998, empowers individuals through a people-centred approach, providing free HIV testing, counselling and preventive services. The project also promotes safer sexual practices and skills-building initiatives for adolescent girls and young women in Bindura urban and rural Mashonaland Central.
HOPE Bindura empowers individuals to take charge of their health, make informed choices and foster resilience and dignity.
The TC TB Makoni project in Manicaland province aligns with the National TB Strategic Plan, aiming to reduce TB and contribute to the global goal of ending TB by 2030. Through community-led interventions, the project provides comprehensive support to co-infected individuals, including antiretroviral therapy and TB treatment and works towards Universal Health Coverage.
By harnessing the collective efforts of local leaders, community volunteers and extension officers, the TC TB Makoni project helps to reduce stigma and discrimination against those affected with TB and HIV.
This year’s World Health day is running under the theme; Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures.
DAPP Zimbabwe has launched the Humanitarian Action to Mitigate the Effects of El Niño-Induced Drought (HAMED) project, a seven-month humanitarian initiative aimed at improving food security for 1,585 drought-affected individuals (317 households) and enhancing access to climate-resilient Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure for more than 10,000 people in Epworth District, Harare Metropolitan Province. The project is funded by Humana Portugal through FPP Spain.
HAMED will follow a community-led approach, prioritizing the needs and active participation of affected communities in Epworth South Constituency, Harare Metropolitan Province.
The project has two primary objectives. First, it aims to improve access to WASH services by increasing the availability and accessibility of clean water, sanitation facilities and hygiene services for affected households in Epworth District. Second, it seeks to enhance food security by providing multipurpose cash transfers to drought-affected communities, enabling them to meet their essential food and nutritional needs.
To achieve these goals, the project will provide multipurpose cash transfers to vulnerable households, allowing them to purchase food and other essential items. It will also equip newly drilled boreholes and establish water point committees through training programs. In addition, small vegetable gardens will be set up at facility-based water sources to improve household nutrition. The project will also distribute essential supplies for cholera prevention to reduce the risk of outbreaks in vulnerable communities.
HAMED will conduct community-led hygiene education and awareness campaigns to promote good hygiene practices and prevent waterborne diseases. Furthermore, Internal Savings and Lending (ISAL) groups will be formed and trained as part of a broader strategy to empower women and promote financial inclusion.
With a strong track record of implementing effective humanitarian projects in drought-prone communities, DAPP Zimbabwe is confident that the HAMED project will make a meaningful impact on households affected by the El Niño-induced drought. As we mark this important milestone with the launch of HAMED in Epworth District, we look forward to working closely with our partners—including relevant government ministries, key stakeholders, and the affected communities—to achieve the project’s goal of mitigating the impacts of the El Niño-induced drought by addressing food insecurity and strengthening WASH services in Epworth District, Zimbabwe.
