Donations made in Northern Ireland during Trócaire’s 2022 Lenten Appeal have funded a three-year programme in southern Zimbabwe that is now complete.

Under the UK Aid Match initiative, every pound given locally was matched by the UK government, generating an additional £2 million for work concentrated on water access, food security and livelihoods.

In Janga village, Zaka district, the project drilled a borehole after a cholera outbreak traced to unsafe river water. The new water point sits less than 200 metres from homes, replacing long walks to contaminated sources. A resident, Susan, said her life was saved after she fell severely ill from drinking river water and a village health worker treated her during the outbreak.

In Mangwe district, the scheme supported young farmer Martha to begin rearing chickens and to attend networking events outside her area. She exchanged seeds, learned about agroecology and value addition, and received awards for her produce. She now mentors other young women and is saving to study at an agricultural college.

The project strengthened community resilience by expanding safe water access, improving food sources and livelihoods, and enhancing protection for vulnerable groups. Organisers say the locally led approach delivered measurable change, particularly for women who were at the centre of the effort.