Watch: US supports Community Resilience and Food Security in Masvingo Province
By Staff Reporter
THE United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Pamela Tremont, Saturday officially handed over community assets at the Rubweruchena solar-powered micro-irrigation project in Ward 11, Chivi District, Masvingo Province.
Funded by the United States, Takunda works to strengthen communities through active participation in asset ownership and management, as well as cultivating partnerships among stakeholders for efficient asset stewardship.
“Takunda is an example of the American people’s long-standing commitment to work with Zimbabwean communities to improve individuals’ lives,” said Ambassador Tremont.
It builds on the United States’ investment in Zimbabwean people and tackles the root causes of food insecurity and poverty.
The Shona word meaning “we have overcome,” is a seven-year, US$80.3 million project implemented by CARE International. Since 2020, the Takunda project has supported the construction of four dams and solarized 44 boreholes and community gardens. Takunda reaches more than 321,000 Zimbabweans in two districts of Masvingo Province, Chivi and Zaka, and two districts in Manicaland Province, Buhera and Mutare.
The project also works to empower communities, including women and youth, to create sustainable livelihoods, improve agriculture practices and technology, and strengthen the governance and management of community assets and infrastructure, thereby strengthening household and community resilience to shocks and stresses.
Since Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, the American people have contributed over $5 billion in assistance to Zimbabwe. Current projects include initiatives to increase food security, support economic resilience, improve health systems and services, and promote democratic governance.
