Though little reported in the UK press, Southern African countries are experiencing the effects of an El Nino and climate-induced drought which started globally in July 2023.  Temperatures are 5 degrees above average and the region reportedly experienced its driest February in 100 years.

Zambia is among the worst hit countries. The president called a state of emergency back in June this year and has rationed all maize, of which Zambia is normally an exporter. With 50% of staple crops having failed this year and the next harvest not expected until April 2025, communities are left with nothing to eat.

Acute hunger, malnutrition, access to safe drinking water,  risk of cholera and malaria are the most urgent impacts of this historic disaster but the effects ripple far beyond.  Against a background of existing food insecurity and rising inflation, the economic hardship caused by drought leads to children missing out on education. Boys in particular miss school due to having to herd animals further from home to find water.  Gender-based violence increases with economic pressures and daughters are more commonly sold for early marriage.  Our communities in the Monze district are feeling these impacts keenly as most are subsistence farmers whose crops have failed.

Our projects are even more crucial at this time of crisis. The Preschool feeding programme ensures the 90 children attending Makangala have two nutritious meals every week day and the weekly wellbeing sessions also provide a healthy meal to all who attend.

The Good Goat Project continues to deliver kid goats to families.

This is Elina who is a subsistence farmer in the Makangala community. Her entire maize crop failed this year due to the lack of rain during the growing season but the goats she received through The Good Goat Project enabled her to sell milk for food and use the manure to feed her vegetable garden. The water from the borehole is enough to irrigate her plot.

Thankfully, the borehole has so far saved the fruit trees which were planted in the Preschool garden two years ago.

In other projects, we fund Permaculture training and support for our communities to help build resilience in the face of these on-going climatic pressures and catastrophes.

Looking ahead, we are hoping to extend the Preschool feeding programme for the Christmas school holidays, ensuring children do not go hungry during this time.  We are currently seeking sources of funding to enable us to do this.