Safety and Inclusion (Zimbabwe)

Our local partner, the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, working through its social action arm, the Methodist Development and Relief Agency (MeDRA), is transforming rural schools into hubs of resilience. The program tackles hunger, water scarcity and climate change by installing solar-powered water systems, growing school gardens and training families in climate-smart agriculture.

Thirteen-year-old Tanaka Chiza is one of the students already experiencing the change.

“Before, it was hard to concentrate in class when I was hungry,” she said. “But now we have a garden and food at school. I’m learning how to grow vegetables and I want to teach my mother so we can eat better at home.”

The impact reaches far beyond school gates. Rev. Junior Paradza, a former lawyer turned minister, is helping lead the project.

“Water means everything in these villages. Now, families have enough to grow their own food. We’re seeing real change, and people are full of hope.”

(Stories gathered in 2025)

As well as climate resilience, water supply and food security, current activities of this project include working with the schools and at-risk families on safeguarding policies, gender equality, and disability inclusion and accessibility, and linking families to disabilities services. 

MeDRA is also continuing to co-fund the Building Resilience in Gokwe South Communities Project (primarily funded by Bread for the World), supporting drought-affected communities with the goal of improving livelihoods and fostering resilient, self-reliant communities through improving access to sanitation facilities, enhancing food security and increasing income generation.

The current activities build on the success of previous work, which saw the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe mainstream gender justice, safeguarding and protection, and disability inclusion across the church.