Practical Action: Annual Report 2012

ANNUAL REPORT
2012/13
Practical Action Southern Africa, 2013

No use of this publication may be made for resale or other commercial purposes without
prior permission of the copyright holder.
Cover Photo: By Lasten Mika
Cover photo Caption: Installing powerlines in Bondo Malawi
Text and production coordination: Martha Munyoro katsi

Editors: Killron Dembe,Grace Musarurwa,Evelyn Mano,Thembinkosi Nyathi,
Hopewell Zheke, Tendai Tendere, Henry Muchedzi, Gigi Davies-Wing, Clement Kalonga,
Nicholas Dzadza, Patience Samhutsa
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
Message from the Regional Director................................................
Energy Access.................................................................................
Sustainable Agriculture and Livelihoods..........................................
11
Water and Sanitation.......................................................................
22
Practical Answers............................................................................
32
Practical Action Consulting..............................................................
34
Communications and Events ...........................................................
39
Financial Statements.......................................................................
42
About Us
Vision
A Southern Africa region free of poverty where technology
is used for the benefit of all
Mission
To promote sustainable technology in areas of energy,
water
and
sanitation,
sustainable
agriculture
livelihoods and market systems that alleviate poverty.
Values
?
Justice
?
Democracy
?
Empowerment
?
Diversity
?
Sustainability
and
MESSAGE FROM THE
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
people in the region in the next five years.
I am glad to announce that through the Energy

Access
Programme,
decentralised
energy
systems such as micro-hydro and solar power

are now providing modern renewable energy
to
marginalised
and
isolated
r u ra l
communities in Malawi, Mozambique and

Zimbabwe that have seen at least 50,000
material beneficiaries including vital social
institutions such as clinics and schools.
further 100,000 relational beneficiaries were

achieved through strengthened engagement
in
Ernest G. Mupunga (Regional Director)
sub-national
processes
of
planning/negotiation
such
departments
great pleasure to share our 2012-
bodies by Practical Action's key partner
13
organisations such as Environment Africa in
Africa
Annual
as
government
elcome, readers. It gives me
Southern
such
key
FEDESMO
Energy
in
Regulatory
Report, having completed the first year of our
Malawi,
Mozambique,
ambitious 2012 2017 strategy that is
Environment and Energy Concerns of Zambia
motivated by Connectedness, Dynamism,
(EECZ) and ZERO for Zimbabwe.
Pace and Collaboration for the future as we

make every effort to fight the prevalent
I am also delighted to report that through
poverty in the region through appropriate
Sustainable Agriculture and Livelihoods (SAL)
technology.
Programme, over 20 000 people benefitted

materially and from improved services, while
Through applying technologies complimented
over 69 000 relational beneficiaries were
by our
achieved
participatory approaches, as well as
through
mainstreaming
climate
influencing enabling policy and legislative
change
reforms, we have managed to improve the
adaptation
lives of the poor. Practical Action Southern
extension
Africa has been leading global initiatives in the
departments,
region including the Sustainable Energy for All
organisations
(SE4ALL), the Total Energy Access (TEA)
Organisations such as Hlekweni, Development
campaigns and the launch of the Poor People
Aid from People to People (DAPP) and Hodi in
Energy Outlook (PPEO) Reports, which we
Zambia and Zimbabwe. This was mainly
hope will improve the lives of over 6 million
achieved through funding from the European
and
variability
in
the
systems
mitigation
national
agricultural
among
government
smallholder
and
and
farmer
Non-Governmental
Union,
Nuffield
Foundation,
World
Food
energy to power agriculture - solar powered
Programme (WFP) and the Food Agriculture
irrigation.
We also built the capacity of
Organisation (FAO).
national agriculture extension agencies to use

climate data to inform farmers of climate
Under
the
Urban
Water,
Sanitation
and
change and how they can adapt to its impacts.
Hygiene Education (WASHE) Programme, our

goal is to increase access to clean safe drinking
Through Practical Answers, we continued to
water and better sanitation conditions for the
use our knowledge sharing platforms to share
urban poor - specifically slum areas in
information,
Southern Africa. During the year, we promoted
enquiries, especially using digital extension -
new and innovative ways in which local
podcasting - to reach farmers in remote areas
authorities, residents, and the private sector
with
could work together to improve urban service
information in an engaging way.
delivery.
vital
knowledge
crop,
livestock
respond
and
to
market
Poor and marginalised urban and
peri-urban residents in Mutare and Epworth
In conclusion, I would like to note that while we
participated in urban planning with their local
use our expertise in various sectors, our
authorities. In Gwanda and Mwenezi districts
greatest
of
enabled
communities to ensure utilisation of their skills
access to clean water supplies, sustained
and knowledge. This is key to the sustainability
community-based
of our interventions, as is working with
Zimbabwe,
our
interventions
management
of
water
strength
is
in
working
departments,
with
points, decent ablution facilities and cleaner
government
environments.
academia and the private sector for cross

pollination
of
ideas
and
NGOs,
harnessing
the
of
In our markets work we continued to use the
resources (human and financial) for joint
Participatory Market System Development
action. I have no doubt that this is one of the
(PMSD) approach to transform markets to
best approaches to address poverty in the
work for the poor. We worked in charcoal and
context of a changing climate in Southern
cook stove value chains in Mozambique,
Africa and we are very grateful to all. I would
horticulture and small livestock in Zimbabwe.
like to express our special appreciation to the
We also continued to influence others through
funding partners who have given us the
PMSD trainings for other NGOs, government
morale, technical and financial support over
officials and some donors in Mozambique,
the years.
Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Thank you.
On Climate Change, we improved farmer
adaptive capacities and resilience through
promotion of smart agriculture technologies
and
such as ecological agriculture (soil and water
Ernest G. Mupunga
conservation), and by using clean sources of
Regional Director
ENERGY ACCESS
Provision of energy services to isolated rural
Overview
communities
requires
significant
upfront
capital investment but government funding and

Energy access challenges and the need to
address them within SADC region is well
acknowledged
politically
through
the
endorsement by energy ministers of the SADC

Energy Access Strategy of 2010 that calls for
ensuring that the proportion of people
without access is halved within 10 years
public budgets are inadequate. Thus

rural
rates
remain
low,
as
evidenced by the rural household access rates

which have been constant for 10 years (7% in
Zimbabwe, 3% in Malawi, 5% Mozambique).
There is a need to mobilise supplementary
financial resources by engaging the private
sector
until there is universal access.
electrification
current
but
certain
barriers
need
to
be
overcome. Key among these is the lack of a

coherent policy and regulatory framework to
define parameters for private investment in offgrid solutions e.g. currently in Malawi a single
entity cannot hold licences for generation,
transmission and distribution and licences cost
$10,000 each. Independent power producers in
Practical Action/Reginald Mapfumo
the region generally pursue on-grid projects

given the certainty of offtake agreements, as
they are not guaranteed of business in rural
areas once the main grid arrives. In addition,
rural electrification funds in SADC are regulated
by statutes that exclude viable renewable offgrid technologies yet it is widely recognised
that universal access cannot be achieved
through grid extension alone.
People resorting to cutting trees as

source of energy
options such as Micro

Hydro
Schemes
(MHS) play a pivotal
Practical Action/Lasten Mika
role in reducing both
Installing distribution lines in Bondo Micro Hydro Scheme in Malawi
t ra n s m i s s i o n
distribution costs and

can
be
scaled
according to needs.
Practical Action has
been providing these
decentralised energy
options.
1.Regional
Micro-Hydro
Project
During
the
Practical
Rural communities have limited livelihood

unaffordable even if they had access to the
European Union funded Energy Project titled,
grid. Even if communities could afford grid
Catalyzing Modern Energy Services Delivery to
access, national energy production is far
Marginalized Communities in Southern Africa
below
example,
whose objective was to demonstrate options of
generation capacity in Zimbabwe is 1600MW
access to energy by isolated rural communities
against a peak demand of 2200MW and in
through applying community - led initiatives for
Malawi generation capacity is 200MW against
the development, construction, operation and
a peak demand of 250MW.
maintenance
For
of
small
scale
Action
Southern
demand.
completed
year
activities which makes connection costs
current
Africa
and
five-year
Micro
Hydro
Schemes in Mulanje and Manica districts of

This
severely
limits
essential
economic
activities such as agro processing and light
Malawi and Mozambique respectively, and

Manicaland province of Zimbabwe.
engineering in the rural areas. Access to

modern energy is a recognised enabler that
The project rehabilitated five existing schemes
can lift communities out of poverty and
and established eight new ones in Mozambique,
studies have shown that lack of access to
Malawi and Zimbabwe - where steep terrain
modern energy services is a major obstacle to
and perennial streams and rivers present a
the delivery of socio-economic services such
natural potential for the establishment of micro
as education and health; both prioritized in
hydro schemes. The project also sought to
the
reduce the policy, technical and institutional
four
countries'
poverty
reduction
strategies.
barriers that limit the development and use of

renewable energy off grid sources to meet the
Given the energy deficit, decentralized energy
energy needs of poor, rural communities.
Achievements
The Regional Micro hydro project installed eight new decentralised micro hydro schemes and
rehabilitated five micro hydro systems with a design capacity between 20kW and 30kW to serve
Practical Action/Martha Munyoro Katsi
remote rural communities benefitting over 45 000 people.
A family enjoying the fruits of electricity in Chipendeke
Key lessons
With Electricity,
Rural School Blooms
Each of the three countries had different

models for operating the mini-hydro scheme
project. In Zimbabwe the operational model
was community based. The community
operated schemes worked very well in
Chipendeke and Dazi, but social conflicts
posed
challenges,
Nyafaru
which
in
Nyamwanga
impacted
delivery
and
and
completion dates. In Malawi the community

based model worked well because the
community co-operated well in establishing
a community owned company to operate the
scheme (the Mulanje Energy Generation
Agency,
MEGA).
In
Mozambique,
the
individual entrepreneur operated scheme

worked well with generation done by the
individual operator and the distribution
network owned by the community. However,
cases
of
social
conflict
are
emerging,
especially where the operator lives within the

community or is part of the community
transmission line management committee.
End use and financial viability

There is also need to link income generating
projects to access to the electricity as poor
communities
struggle
to
access
the
electricity because of their inability to be able

to do the tubing on their own. A scheme like
Chipendeke
linked
to
gravity
irrigation
improves the livelihoods of communities and

enables them to be linked to the electricity.
The key lesson is that micro hydro schemes
are primarily for social service provision
contrary to economic viability or the case for
Lack of access to modern energy services

is a major obstacle in the delivery of socio
economic services such as education .This
particularly affects populations living in
rural areas whose isolation makes it
Operational models
technically and economically unfeasible to

extend the national grid.
Mary Tsatsi is a Grade 5 pupil at
Chipendeke Primary School in Manicaland
Province of Zimbabwe. She lives with her
grandparents and six siblings. Mary walks
15 km to and from school. She did not
enjoy going to school. Electrification of
Chipendeke primary school improved the
learning environment and the moral of the
staff and students.
"Before we had electricity at our school our
classrooms would be so dark especially
during winter. We always struggle to read
and write because of the darkness.
Instead of going to school in such a
situation, I would choose to stay home and
sleep. Now that we have electricity, I am so
motivated to wake up and go to school
every day. I am enjoying the learning
environment."
In appreciation of the work done by
Practical Action, Mary adds: "I have never
been in a room with proper lights before I
am used to our paraffin lamps and candles,
but this is awesome. When I grow up I
want to be a teacher."
private sector investment driven by profit
the use of micro hydro and solar powered
motive.
irrigation schemes in districts of Masvingo and
Energy
provision
for
rural
communities is not financially viable without
Manicaland.
end use production as evidenced by the
Expected outcomes
completed schemes
Once the scheme is completed, the following
2. Rural Sustainable
Development (RUSED)
Energy
will be achieved:
? 80kW micro hydro power plant will be
constructed to supply energy to up to 100

homes, two schools and an agri business
Practical
Action
Southern
Africa,
in
partnership with Oxfam with funding from
centre.
? Micro hydro powered irrigation pumps
European Union is implementing a four year
irrigating 20 hectares of land to benefit
project titled, Rural Sustainable Energy
approximately 30 households.
Development (RUSED) in Zimbabwe. The
? Micro hydro powered agri business centre
project seeks to increase access to modern,

affordable and sustainable renewable energy
services to rural smallholder farmers through
established
to
provide
agriculture
and
forestry related services to up to 100

households. This includes saw mill, grinding
mills, and light weight welding facilities.
Story of Hope
Urban life is coming to the rural areas!' exclaimed
Mudyariwa. 'We are working for the brighter future
Practical Action/Chiedza Mazaiwana
of our children,'' he added. Mudyariwa is a 63 year old smallholder in, Himalaya, in Mutare district
in Manicaland Province of Zimbabwe. He has five
children and eight grandchildren five of whom live
in Himalaya.
He is one of seven local builders using their skills
The community is providing labour and locally
available material.
"Energy brings development in the community and
has a bearing in all aspects of our lives ranging
from agro-processing, education, microenterprises,
livelihoods and income, "said Mudyariwa.
Mr Mudyariwa
The community is working together to witness the

completion of their project "The project not only brings electricity but also comes along
with capacity building trainings which enlighten our minds, help us focus on development
and will contribute towards the sustainability of development projects in our ward,"
concludes Mudyariwa.
3.Sustainable
(SE4ALL)
Energy
for
All
2013.
These
workshops
were
aimed
at
capacitating the civil society organisations on
In the policy influence arena, Practical Action
the SE4ALL initiative as well as energy related
Southern Africa is driving the United Nation`s
issues. This was after the realization of low
Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) campaign
appreciation of energy issues among the civil
in the region. A regional SE4All workshop was
society
held
in
Harare,
participants
in
from
October
Malawi,
2012
with
Mozambique,
Key Lessons
Zambia and Zimbabwe to roll out the

campaign and raise awareness among local
to be capacitated on the Sustainable
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) so they
Energy for All initiative, especially local
could lead and mobilise national level support
organisations (very few organisations
for SE4All in their respective countries. Lead

organisations for the national initiatives are
Environment
(Mozambique),
Concerns
of
Africa
(Malawi),
Environment
Zambia
(EECZ)
understand the initiative)
FEDESMO
and
and
There is need to increase our participation

in
Energy
regional
and
international
policy
dialogues that are relevant or that feed
ZERO
(Zimbabwe). A follow up to the regional
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) need
into the SE4ALL
There is need to engage the private sector
workshop, national SE4All workshops were
in the SE4ALL work to enhance funding
held in December 2012 in Zambia, Malawi and
opportunities in the sector.
Practical Action/Chiedza Mazaiwana
Zimbabwe and in Mozambique in January
10
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
& LIVELIHOODS
financial, and institutional capacity.
Overview
The need to strengthen farmer representation,

Within our four core countries of Zimbabwe,
Zambia,
Malawi
estimated
16
and
million
Mozambique
people
are
an
food
insecure.This has been corroborated by the

Maplecroft
Food
Security
Index
and
improve
economic
a g r i c u l t u ra l
policy
Comprehensive
is
services,
and
recognised
Africa
in
Agriculture
Development Programme (CAADP). Practical

Action
has
adopted
policy
strategy
of
understanding,
networking and advocacy capacities of

Farmer Organisations (FOs) which are
promoting sustainable agriculture as a
key
concept
Practical Action/Alex Nyakatsapa
Practical Action/ Alex Nyakatsapa
enhancing
Food Fair hosted by people living with

HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) Support Groups.
support
livelihood
for
future
security
of
food
and
marginalised,
vulnerable smallholder farming families.

A strong alliance of FOs on sustainable
agriculture will ensure integration of
their priorities in the national agricultural
research and extension strategies now
being driven by the CAADP.
interactive map. which places Zimbabwe,

Zambia and Malawi in the
'extreme risk'
category global hotspots of food insecurity.

The high impact of climate change and
prevalence of 20% HIV/Aids (estimated at an
average over 20%). Climate change is already
affecting many lives and livelihoods in the
region through gradual, insidious, changes in
temperature and rainfall patterns combined
with increasing frequency and intensity of
natural hazards such as floods and droughts.
The poorest communities being hardest hit as
they are more dependent on agriculture and
fishing- climate-sensitive natural resources
and ecosystems, such as agriculture and
fishing; they live in areas that have greater
exposure to climate hazards and are less able
to
respond
because
of
limited
human,
1.Innovative Approaches to
Food Security (IAFS) for
People Living with HIV/Aids
Practical
Action
in
partnership
with
Development Aid People to People (DAPP) and

Hodi in Zambia concluded a 3 year project in
Zambia under the Innovative Approaches to
Food Security (IAFS) programme funded by the
European Union (EU). The project titled,
Strengthening the scaling up and impact of
innovative food security approaches for People
Living with HIV and Aids (PLWHA), promoted
farmer
innovative
systems
indigenous
knowledge, extension service systems,

ecological
agriculture,
intensification
and
small
scale
community
based
11
approaches. It linked effectively with market
agriculture, seed multiplication, agro-forestry
systems and priorities of farmer organizations
and fish farming.
for
community-based support initiatives for
the livelihoods and nutrition options of PLHIV
People Living with HIV and AIDS in Central
livestock management and local internal
Zambia's Kapiri-Mposhi and Kabwe districts,
savings.
enabling
them
mobilise
and
The trainings diversifyied
effectively
The Action also encouraged knowledge
District Facilitator for Kabwe (centre) visiting

one of the support group gardening project
sharing
among
beneficiaries
through
various platforms such as look and learn

visits, field days, exchange visits as well as
stakeholder reviews at community, district,
provincial and national levels. Knowledge
products
such
nutrition
posters,
guidelines,
as
project
brochures,
nutrition
monitoring
nutrition
calendars,
CBP,
Training of Trainers (ToT) manuals and

newsletters were produced and distributed
to beneficiaries and partners at community,
district and provincial levels.
manage food and livelihood resources to meet
Project achievements
their annual needs.
By the end of the action, People Living with HIV

Key to the success of the project was the
and AIDS
innovative and participatory approaches such
able to adopt strategies for food and nutrition
as Community Based Approaches (CBAs),
security,
Training for Transformation (TfT), Participatory
combination of legumes, vegetables, cereals
Extension Approaches (PEAs), Community
and fruit trees to ensure diversity at household
Based
Participatory
level. Households were also able to prepare
(PME).
176
and preserve these foods to ensure continued
participants from key stakeholders (mainly
availability throughout the year. This was
government, community leaders and non-
achieved through training and distributing
governmental organisations) received training
fingerlings to 89 households, vegetable seed
on these approaches which transformedthe
packs to 40 support groups, small livestock
way they relate among themselves and with
such as goats and local chickens to 513
the communities to whom they provide HIV
beneficiaries. The seasonal period of food
and AIDS services. The project also conducted
deficit was reduced by 50 per cent for the 2 000
training on improving crop productivity and
targeted material beneficiaries. Beneficiaries
diversity for 1,537 HIV/AIDS support group
in peri-urban areas that had a food deficit
members, covering such subjects as herbs,
period of six months prior to the project, now
banana and crop production, conservation
face a deficit period of three months, whilst
Planning
Monitoring
12
and
(CBP)
and
Evaluation
(PLWHA) and their families were

households
were
growing
those in rural areas had their deficit reduced
from three months and are now food secure
Key Lessons
all year.
?
There
In summary, the following outcomes were

achieved:
?
Increased awareness and knowledge of
community- based food security and

nutrition options
that address the needs and priorities of
PLWHA and their families
?
Increased food production,
diversification and preparation by
PLWHA and their families
?
PLWHA and their families had increased
access to extension services to
continuously engage in sustainable
agricultural practices
?
Support organisations and government
departments were more responsive and
supportive of community-based
approaches to food and nutrition
security of PLWHA and their families
?
Participatory and transparent nutrition
monitoring systems were developed
and institutionalised from community
level structures to district and provincial
level structures for improved provision
of social and health services to PLWHA
is need to institutionalise
nutrition monitoring systems with
support organisations such as the
National AIDS Council, Ministry of
Health, Ministry of Community
Development, Mother and Child Health
and Ministry of Agriculture and
Livestock.
?
Use of the training of trainers approach
to strengthen community- based
extension for marginalised farmers
enabled farmers to learn and practice
improved cultural practices that led to
improved yields of maize, legume crops
such as groundnuts, soya beans
?
Community-based M&E involved
discussion of the PLWHA household
dietary indices stimulated project
beneficiaries to consciously increase
their dietary indices.
?
Community-based approaches helped
to build and re-energise linkages
between the communities and key
s t a ke h o l d e r s ( e . g . M i n i s t r y o f
Agriculture and Livestock, Ministry of
Health, Forestry Department and Rural
District Councils).
?
Paravets and lead farmers are able to
train others and lead in facilitating
development.
13
Support Group drawing up an action plan
2. Strengthening the Inclusion and Influencing Capacity of Civil Society

Organizations (CSOs) working with People Living with HIV and AIDS
(PLHIV) in the Central Province of Zambia
Practical Action completed this European
deal with people living with HIV and AIDS
Union (EU) funded Non State Actors project in
(PLWHA) to enable them engage with service
the Kabwe, Kapiri-Mposhi and Mkushi Districts
providers, decision and policy makers at
of the Central Province of Zambia. The project
national, provincial and district levels from
aimed at strengthening the engagement and
both Government and civil society.
institutional development of Civil Society
Existing
legal structures have not been able to function
Organisations (CSOs) working with people
effectively due to reasons including a lack of
living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) to effective
understanding
meet of their needs and priorities. Contrary to
of
their
roles,
inadequate
traditional approaches where interventions
resources and a lack of inclusive and demand
aimed at addressing their material needs
driven
such as improving access to medication, food
processes.
planning
and
implementation
and psycho-social support, in the process

assuming
that
the
organisational
Project Achievements:
and
institutional structures had enough capacity to

provide the necessary support.
?
A Community AIDS Task Force (CATF) - a
This action
coalition of 15 CSOs - was formed and
was based on the fact that in Zambia (as in
this will continue to drive the lobbying
many other countries in Southern Africa) there
and advocacy processes and facilitate
are legal structures at all levels from the
the coordination of HIV/AIDS actions in
village to the national level yet they need
Masansa area.
capacity building to make them functionally
?
Strong partnerships for capacity building
effective.
and resource leveraging have been
The action focused on strengthening the
developed
institutional capacities of organisations that
support groups and service providers

who
between
include
Organizations
the
HIV
and
Civil
(CSOs),
AIDS
Society
government
departments and the private sector.
14
Fyamuchalo Support Group for People Living with HIV

and AIDS (PLWHA)
These relationships address the needs

and priorities of PLHIV for 226 support
group
institutions
in
Kabwe,
Kapiri
Mposhi and Mkushi Districts of the

Central Province of Zambia.
?
The
project presented a sustainable
model for addressing HIV and AIDS

related matters at community level as it
emphasized
training of stakeholders
(organisations and individuals), which
was essential for the sustainability of

project activities. Furthermore, those
trained
were
able
to
train
others,
resulting in the exchange and continuity

of knowledge transfer.
?
Practical
Action,
DAPP
and
HODI
managed to improve the health and wellbeing of PLHIV in poor rural communities
in Kabwe, Kapiri-Mposhi and Mkushi
Districts of the Central Province in
Zambia
through
effective
support
provided by institutions working with

Participants filling in the layers to the key hoe grade
Completed key Hole Garden at Kabwe Offices
Key Lessons
?
? Support
Groups do help PLHIV to
accept their status,share their views

and thoughts about HIV, and to have a
platform to freely talk about issues
affecting them (emotional support).
?
The illiteracy levels are very high in
most
communities therefore training
for people in support groups must be

simplified
so
that
all
may
easily
understand.
people living with HIV and AIDS (PLHIV)
?
Gender differentials are very evident in
and through engagement on policy and
this sector as women do not struggle
legislative processes regarding HIV and
with stigma as much as men do as they
AIDS. For example a policy on Alcohol
accept their status than men who fear
and Drug abuse was formulated through
discrimination should they disclose
consultative
hence most support groups comprise of
community
championed
processes
and
by
is
with
currently
the
civil
the
being
more women than men.
society
organisations in the districts.
15
Now I am free to talk

Empowering People Living with HIV in Zambia
Taking action against HIV

related stigma and
discrimination is essential
for achieving Millennium
Development Goal 6: "To
halt and begin to reverse
the spread of HIV and
AIDS".
Acts of discrimination
deny people's rights to information, to
services to protect them against HIV
infection, and to receive appropriate
treatment, care and support when HIVpositive. Fear of stigmatization and
discrimination discourages people from
seeking information on HIV and AIDS,
coming forward for counseling and testing,
disclosing their status or accessing AIDS
services. We will not achieve Universal
Access without reducing stigma and
discrimination.
People living with HIV in rural communities
of Zambia often face a double burden: a
lack of community care and support
services, and stigmatizing attitudes and
behaviors from family and community
members. To address these challenges,
Practical Action Southern Africa and its
local partner, Development Aid from
People to People (DAPP)with funding from
European Commission, worked to improve
the nutritional status of 3,000 PLWHIV and
their families to improve nutrition and food
security.
"We were really living under the fear of
discriminationIt had silenced us.
Because of this we could not take care of
ourselves and others, "said Gertrude,
Banda.
Now I am free to talk, when I look back, I
cannot help to wonder how a single
training managed to change my life. There
was no other miracle but training for
16
positive living where issues to do with

healthy foods, hygiene and sanitation,
opportunistic infections and disclosure were
highly discussed,she said.
Diagnosed with HIV coupled with a strange
way I contracted it while caring for my HIV
positive son, I never felt comfortable
discussing HIV and AIDS issues. This did not
matter where I was whether in the
community or with my only three surviving
children, because it was all the same to me.
Before being diagnosed, I was the typical
housewife who took care of her husband and
children. I am now a vendor. I buy and sell
vegetables at the local market. My husband
contracted Tuberculosis, but due to stigma
around the community, he could not disclose to anyone and he did not take any
medication. Because of that, he died.
I would attend secretly to my clinical
appointments. In 2011, I was lucky to have
been one of the members selected to be
trained in Positive Living. The training
helped to break barriers to my
openness/disclosure on HIV and AIDS
issues. It was a total relief to break the
silence. It seemed like unlocking a door.
Using the communication skills I had
acquired from the training, and the benefits
of disclosure that we had shared, I thought I
needed to speak freely.
"I can only sing and praise the magic of
'training'. I am now a very active home based care giver providing hope to fellow
community members living with HIV."
This case study demonstrates that stigma

and discrimination reduction is crucial to
more effective HIV prevention, treatment,
care and support.
?3. Post-Harvest Crop Management
implemented
crucial to minimise harvest losses
Management
Post-Harvest
project
in
Midlands
Crop
and
Mashonaland Central provinces of Zimbabwe

Grain post-harvest losses in Zimbabwe are
in Kwekwe, Gokwe South, Mazowe and Guruve
estimated at 20-30% during storage alone.
Districts respectively. The main objective was
This figure could be as high as 40% with field,
to capacitate 3,000 communal household to
transportation, handling and processing losses
reduce post production crop losses and handle
included. Many agencies in agriculture and
increased production from their fields through
food security have concentrated their efforts
imparting of knowledge and skills. Improved
on improving production and productivity
storage structures were constructed in a
whilst ignoring post-harvest losses. In most
number of identified sites in the two pilot
communal
districts.
areas,
grain
production
is
characterized by one year of good production

followed by two or three years of deficit. The
need for good long term post-harvest strategic
storage
is
imperative.
Furthermore,
the
production of OPV seed is on the increase in

the country and for effective seed savings
there is need for good seed storage.
The project demonstrated that smallholder

farmers can reduce losses by up to 100% and
maintain the quality of grain during storage
using the improved technologies, in particular
using the tin silo and also, though less
effective, the brick walled granary. Treatment
of grain in the improved structures using
Practical Action in collaboration with the Food
fumigants was much easier and rats/mice
and
could not enter the improved structures.
Organisation
(FAO),
Practical Action/Patience Samhutsa
Agricultural
Completed brick walled granary
Practical Action/Patience Samhutsa
Brick walled granary under construction
Tin silo
Constructing a shade for the tin silo
17
Project Achievements
?
Increased
incomes
4. Sharing experiences from the
by
smallholder
farmers as they were able to handle

grain for longer periods and sell during
peak period of demand when prices are
high. In-stead of selling the crop at
Mainstreaming
Adaptation
Agricultural
Climate
in
Change
Zimbabwe's
Extension
System
Project
US$200/ton of maize soon after harvest

in May, they were able to sell at US$400
Climate change is an additional constraint on
in December when the commodity was
sustainable socio-economic development in
at peak demand.
the region. The increasing frequency and

to
severity of droughts and floods, the shift in
and
onset of the rains, and increasing intensity of
?
Use of the tin silo enabled farmers
reduce
post-harvest
losses
mid-season dry spells in the last 50 years have
maintained quality of grains.

?
Treatment of grain in the improved
been identified in both the Initial and the
structures using fumigants reduced
Second National Communications Report to
infestation by pests and rodents
the United Nations Framework Convention on
?
Promotion of improved technologies (tin
silos and granaries) in post-harvest crop

Practical Action/Reginald Sithole
management through capacity building

of local artisans and builders in the
construction of these. This allows for the
skills to be retained locally.
Key Lessons
?
Building the capacity of communities to
identify and engage buyers on their own

ensures confidence among the buyers
and result in sustainable markets.
?
Construction of granaries and silos at
household level instills ownership than

communal
granaries
targeting
the
whole community.
?
Partnering
with
Mechanization
18
the
and
Women carrying water on their heads from a

manual sand abstraction point to the garden.
Results of climate change.
department
of
Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the IPCC Third
Department
of
Assessment
Report
(2001),
as
major
Agritexin the implementation of the
consequence of climate change. Livelihoods of
project contributed immensely to its
the poor, particularly women who are highly
suucessproved to be effective in the
dependent on climate-sensitive sectors like
delivery
agriculture, are impacted by climate change in
of
project
activities
and
ensuring ownership beyond the project

life cycle.
various ways.
Practical Action Southern Africa responded with
the project Sharing experiences from the
and
Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation in
provincial, district and ward staff. From
Zimbabwe's
Extension
this, the best trainers were selected to
System.The objective of the Nuffield - funded
roll out training to 224 staff at district
project was to mainstream climate change
level (204 with additional funding from
adaptation in agricultural extension systems
the
and to enable smallholder farmers to make
Programme).
A g r i c u l t u ra l
course
United
2,
seventy
Nations
eight
(78)
Development
better plans and decisions based on climate

and
weather
information.
Key
activities
A sample of sites visited showed clear
included:
for
evidence of effective extension at local level -
training Agritex staff. (Agritex is the
farmers were aware of climate change and its
government's
effects leading to a significant number of
?
?
Developing
technical
materials
agricultural
extension
farmers adopting conservation agriculture,
arm.)
?Training 60 National and Provincial
Agritex extension officers on climate
variability and change and its impact on
?
?Revising
experimenting with alternative livelihoods and

achieving food security through increased
productivity. The project demonstrated that
the provision of the training together with
agriculture.
training
materials
and
producing a training manual and field

guide covering
the causes of climate
change and variability, its impacts on

agriculture and small-scale farmers,the
implications for agricultural extension,
improving
coping
strategies
for
and
adaptation
smallholder
farmers
facing climate change and variability

?
Achievements
Training of extension staff - Course 1
scale farmers and of extension staff with

respect to coping with drought and adapting
to climate change. The original design of
cascading training through training of trainers
also led to some 'dilution' of content and
quality. Frontline staff need more time to fully
understand climate change issues and this
should be considered in future trainings.
Further material in local languages is needed
for farmers (e.g. pamphlets and simple
manuals).
Practical Action/Henry T Muchedzi
trained 61 national and provincial staff
climate information has met needs of small-
Participants drawing a seasonal calendar during the Training of

Transformation course at Alvord Training Centre in Masvingo
The project and its approach raised

considerable interest within and outside
Zimbabwe.
International
Crops
Research Institute for the Semi-Arid

Tropics (ICRISAT) undertook a project
in Matebeleland North Province that
uses the main aspects of this project
and staff trained by it. Oxfam likewise
have just started a relatively small
project in 15 wards in Midlands and
19
Masvingo provinces that use staff trained by
5.Enhancing
food
and
livelihoods
this project and have indicated that they are
security of smallholder rural farming
likely to use or build on the training materials
households in drought-prone areas of
developed and lessons learnt.
Zimbabwe
This project was implemented through a
partnership between Practical Action and local
Key Lessons
Local district and ward level meteorological
information is required as climate and weather
can be very different. Mechanisms for rapidly
and effectively distributing 10-day forecasts
and Seasonal Forecasts i.e. using SMS /
texting - possibly with farmers paying for the
service - should be developed. Agritex should
receive training and support in development
NGO Hlekweni Rural Friends Service Centre.

The project was funded by DFID and partners
through
the
management
of
GRM
International under the Protracted Relief

Programme (PRP) II and implemented in three
districts (Bulilima, Mangwe & Gwanda) of
Matabeleland South over a thirteen months
period from July 2011 to September 2012.
approaches to enable continual improvement.
Evidence from this body of work suggests that

the development of climate risk management
consciousness among the farming community
can gradually lead to the adoption of more
sustainable farming practices in vulnerable
regions. An important starting point should be
the development of infrastructure for climate
monitoring
by
local
communities
in
partnership with the National Weather Service.

Manual materials/instruments were found to
be more suitable as they were less complex
and relatively inexpensive. Just a few hours of
training were sufficient to enable men and
women village farmersto understand climate
change issues. The project provided a good
example of community- based adaptation.
20
Completion of a small livestock auction sales.

Goats and cattle auction day.
Promoting improved agronomic practices and
facilitating community led market linkages for
crops and livestock directly contributed to the
project objective of strengthening food and
nutrition security of 7400 chronically poor
households in Matabeleland South through
improved crop & livestock production and
marketing systems . Practical Action's proven
Such modest infrastructure coupled with
Community
improved local level climate forecast systems,
Training for Transformation (TfT), Participatory
if scaled up, has potential to contribute
Extension Approaches (PEA) and Livelihood
towards climate change adaptation through
Centred Disaster Risk Reduction (LCDRR) were
local management of climate risks.
key to achieving the desired outcomes.
Based
Approaches
such
as
Practical Action/Reginald Sithole
and implementation of institutional learning
Achievements
Key Lessons
The outcome survey commissioned by GRM
Market Linkages
towards the end of the projectnoted that
Farmers should be allowed to engage market
though a period of one year is too short to
actors on their own with minimal support from
realise impact, there was evidence that the
support organisations, for the market to be
project
sustainable.
had
significantly
contributed
to
The
project
committees
trained
in
ward
household food and livelihood security through
marketing
business,
increases in available livelihood options such
negotiation, livestock grading, costing and
as provision of community based animal
pricing skills and then let them engage buyers
health services
as a business, small grain
on their own. The initiative resulted in opening
seed multipliers, crop (garden and field)
of auction sales pens that had been in line for
processing and preservation, garden crop
closure by the local authorities.
growing and small livestock sales using

community linked markets.
Processing and preservation of crops and
The project demonstrated that it was possible
fruits
to build an effective farmer to farmer network
Processing and preservation of crops (field and
to provide community based training and
garden) and fruits to increase shelf life and
extension
adding
service
in
crop
and
livestock
va l u e
can
p r ov i d e
business
production and marketing including promotion
opportunities to rural women in Matabeleland.
of technologies such as Soil and Water
The area is abundant with garden produce as
Conservation (SWC). These have potential for
well as under-utilised natural resources such
greater multiplier effects on the severely
as marula fruits.
resource constrained government agricultural

and veterinary extension services. The survey
Women empowerment
indicated that 48% of the farmers adopted
Although women constituted the majority in
improved agronomic practices, and there was
project initiatives (75% of membership),
a 32% cash contribution from project activities
decision making for 60 of the 75 gardens
to household income against a target of 40%
rested with men. Future interventions should
from a baseline of 20%.
seek toempower women to have leadership

positions
so
they
can
drive
their
own
Practical Action/ Reginald Sithole
initiatives.
Matilda Khupe explaining plant spacing on her

sorghum plot in Bulilima.
Institutionalizing
stakeholder
engagement
There is a recognition that multi stakeholder
engagement allows stakeholders to learn from
each other in open ways that enhances their
ability to collaborate and hold each other
accountable. The main challenge is how to
institutionalize
this
way
of
coordinating
development interventions at district level

within
an
environment
where
most
government service providers suffer from

severe resource constraints.
21
WATER AND SANITATION

Overview
development goal (MDGs) 1. Safe drinking

water and sanitation contribute to economic
Water and sanitation targets are far from being
growth and reducing poverty, mainly through
met in sub-Saharan Africa (European Court of
better public health,gender equality and food
Auditors
and nutrition security.
2013).
2010,
39%
of
the
population had no access to an improved
Most Southern African countries have legal
source of drinking water and 70% were
instruments that provide for the citizens of
without improved sanitation facilities though
urban areas in the planning and development
the respective targets were 25% and 36%
activities of urban areas. For example, in
which is a threat to meeting the Millennium
Zimbabwe, the Regional, Town and Country
Development Goals (MDGs) target by the year
Planning Act, Chap. 29:12 is clear on the need
2015. In Southern Africa, over 22 million
to
people have no access to clean water and
development.
sanitation, exposing them to high risks of
stipulates that in formulating master and local
diseases, such as diarrhea, cholera and
plans for example, before finally determining
dysentery.
the contents of the plan, the local planning
According to the National Sanitation and
authority shall take steps that will, in its
Hygiene Strategy (2011-2015), Zimbabwe is
opinion,
off-track in as far as progress to achieve MDG 7
consultation (with the public) with the matters
is concerned. The Country Status overview,
to be proposed to be included in the plan.
2010, further states that the country has five
Numerous provisions aim to engageresidents
years to raise improved sanitation coverage
in every planning and development decision
from 43% to 71%. The Sanitation and Hygiene
and activity.
strategy acknowledges that subsidies for the
However, the steps laid out in the legislation
BVIPs have placed a great burden on the state
does not adequately promote effective public
to finance in rural areas. It also points out that
participation due to the nature and dynamics
whilst researchers and NGOs have developed a
of urban areas. It is almost impossible for
number of other sanitation alternatives, the
citizens to have meaningful engagement with
government
their local authorities. The urban poor are
authorities
have
not
yet
involve
citizens
Section
ensure
that
in
planning
15(1)
there
of
is
the
and
Act
adequate
approved.
close to centres of power, money and basic
In Zambia, only 43% have access to safe water
services, but rarely access them. They live in
for
National
hazardous and unhealthy environments with
andnstitutions
poor access to clean water, hygienic sanitation,
drinking
Development
22
In
( Za m b i a
Plan,
2010)
6th
responsible for rural sanitation development
and waste management.
still rely on donor funding.
Practical Action Southern Africa's goal is to
The European Court of Auditors notes that
increase access to clean drinking water and
improvements in water supply and sanitation
better sanitation conditions faced by the urban
are critical elements in meeting the millennium
poor majority, specifically slum areas in
Southern Africa. It seeks to improve water
towards democratisation in the management
governance and justice, access to water,
and governance of communal water and
sanitation, and promotion of decent waste
sanitation infrastructure in Zimbabwe and
management services. To this end, Practical
specifically to strengthen the participation and
Action implemented three projects over the
role of rural based Civil Society Organisations
year.
(CSOs) in the delivery and governance of

water and sanitation services in Gwanda
1 Enhancing
?
Community Participation in
District of Matabeleland South Province.
Governance of Water and Sanitation

Service Delivery in Rural Gwanda District
Achievements
In partnership with Moriti oa Sechaba Trust,
?
The project incorporated the provincial
Practical Action has been implementing this
and
three year project, (that ends in September
participation and roles played by the
2013)with funding from the European Union
Provincial
(EU).
Coordination Committee (PWSCC) and
The project seeks to strengthen the
district
structures
Water
and
Water
the
Sanitation
participation of Civil Society Organizations
the
Coordination Committee (DWSCC).
water and sanitation services in Zimbabwe
District
through
and
Sanitation
?
The community based approaches that
using Gwanda District of Matabeleland South
were applied encouraged participation of
Province as a springboard for national water
all social groups. The women pump
governance
minders that were trained are keen to
engagement.
The
overall
objective of the project is to contribute
participate
and
are
showing
great
improvement in their work. Participation

of women in decision making positions
has increased. Involvement of males in
Practical Action/Thembinkosi Nyathi
the Participatory Health and Hygiene

(PHHE) training workshops, a commonly
deemed feminine program, has been
observed. Our data base shows that up
to 54% woman and children benefited
from boreholes and 46% of PHHE
participants were men.
?
Training for Transformation (TfT) and
Transformational
( T LT ) -T h e
Leadership
t ra i n i n g s
have
training
been
commended by all levels as empowering

processes
that
facilitate
better
management of community resources.

The
Gender mainstreaming in Casting borehole slab
trainings
have
also
edified
23
leadership at community level where
led to some buy in of the project goal and
most leaders are now enjoying and
gradually
committed to their community.
ownership of goal and this ensures
?
Through
pod casting, a method of
its
uptake
and
finally
sustainability.
information dissemination was widely

received
by
and
?
Exchange visits to Zambia offered a
the
bundle of benefits, well beyond just
lessons shared creates a platform for
acquiring information such as dialogue,
ownership
detailed in response to specific queries,
participation
the
of
community
stakeholders
in
?
?
Training of Trainers facilitated immensely
to
project
uptake
stakeholders.
It
by
government
resuscitated
water
enriched
by
the
perspective of distance and difference.

The visits offered the visitors a chance to
governance structures which were dying
look
a natural death at district level and ward
acquainted with host people, understand
level
their problems and achievements hence
behind
the
scenes,
to
get
?
Involvement of local leaders (councilors
creating inspiration to keep working and
and traditional leaders) was a noble idea
launch new initiatives related to these
to enable the project to reach the water
water governance issues
users as these are well recognized and

respected people in society.
?
The
project
managed
Practical Action/Moriti OA Sechaba
?
The coordination and synergies with
other
to
engage
stakeholders at all project stages which
24
conversations
projects
from
other
partners
facilitated the province to have its own

WASH
cluster.
Community
based
Women Empowerment
Ward 11 has a very diligent and sharp Pump Minder called Izora
Ncube. She is the only woman Pump Minder in the district and
has influenced other women to train as Village Pump Mechanics.
She has been involved in community mobilization for borehole
repairs and rehabilitation as well as facilitating the training of
Water Point User Committees. This is what she has to say to all
readers: There is no job too big or too small for me when it
comes to borehole repairs. I have the capacity to do it all and
still continue with other household chores that demand my
attention. I have been walking distances ranging from 1-20
kilometres to repair boreholes because I feel I have been
trained for a purpose in the community. I take it as my duty
because I know that one day I will be rewarded for unselfishly
serving the community. So far I have repaired close to 50
boreholes and even though it's a male dominated job, I am
comfortable with it. Many people wonder how a woman can so easily fit into a world dominated by
males but I am happy to say my fellow women support me because I represent women issues
regarding water access as I go about doing my job.
approaches (CBP, TLT and TFT) that the
viewed as impossible. At District level,
organisation is carrying out with the
coordination between poorly resourced
vulnerable
Government Departments, communities
women's
groups
increased
has
spearheaded
participation
in
governance of programmes.
and better resourced NGOs through the

Learning Alliances have managed to
?
To strengthen the participation and role
register
remarkable
of rural based Civil Society Organisations
under
conditions.
water and sanitation services in Gwanda
?
Lack
of
difficulty
project
outputs
socio-economic
proper
Monitoring
and
District of Matabeleland South Province,
Evaluation system creates challenges for
15 ward level water and sanitation
monitoring
committees
activities
have
had
their
plans
and
evaluating
project
?
Partnerships at all levels are a necessary
incorporated in the district plans.
pre-requisite for success thus project

budget must reflect this
Key Lessons
?
Involvement
?
Communication is important at all levels
Sanitation
of
District
Coordination
Water
and
Committee
and means of communication need to be
(DWSCC) and other stakeholders is an
provided in the project. Making use of
important factor for short term successes
participatory
and long term sustainability.
and
social
marketing
communication methods will ensure that

the intended message reaches the target
audience.
in behaviour practices and
attitude
particularly
those
with
substantial and sustainable impact are

likely to take time and resources. Both
these aspects need to be provided for in a
project
?
Water governance issues including policy,
operational and institutional dimensions

need to be mainstreamed at all levels
?
Visibility of Implementing Partners can
play an important role in contributing

interest, participation and ownership of
Practical Action/ Moriti oa Sechaba
?
Changes
project activities by water users

?
Improved
coordination
between
government and NGOs has worked and

enabled project implementation under
circumstances that could otherwise be
Access to safe and clean drinking water crucial
25
(PHHE). The community is being trained to
2. Community Led Approaches

Complimenting Sustainable
Service Delivery for WASH Actions
in Gwanda and Mwenezi Districts
of Zimbabwe
strengthening provincial and district WATSAN
In partnership with Moriti OA Sechaba Trust
Subcommittees to effectively incorporate the
and Development Aid from People to People
community priorities in their development
(DAPP), Practical Action is implementing an EU
plans. Pump mechanics and community latrine
funded project in Gwanda and Mwenezi
builders are being trained for necessary skills,
Districts of Matebeleland South and Masvingo
and provided tools and materials for them to
Provinces respectively. The project's major
use during and after the action to repair pumps
objective is to address the lack of access to
and build latrines respectively.
safe water, adequate sanitation and health and
By the end of the project, target communities
hygiene education in Gwanda and Mwenezi
will have at least 80% coverage of both water
districts. Specifically it has adopted and is
and sanitation facilities through rehabilitation
promoting community led approaches as a
of 1000 water points and drilling of 20
model for complimenting other sustainable
boreholes and construction of over 5000
service
latrines.
delivery
models
of
safe
water,
p ra c t i c e
p o s i t i ve
hyg i e n e
b e h av i o r s
maintenance of water points on their own in a

sustainable manner.
The project is also
adequate sanitation and application of health
Achievements
Practical
Action
continued
to
and
partners
advocate
for
the
adaptation of alternative sanitation

technologies
like
ecological
sanitation (Ecosan) for the rural

areas,
adherence
to
catchment
council regulations in the selection

of
catchment
councilors
as
prescribed under the Water Act as

well as influencing the planning and
management of water points. The
project targeted the National Action
Committee (NAC) who are the key
and hygiene practices in the two districts.

Practical
Action
and
partners
are
mainstreaming the principles of community
26
participation
through
management
(CBM)
community
of
water
based
points;
community led total sanitation (CLTS) and

participatory health and hygiene education
policy
and
decision
makers
in
WASHE.
Adoption of Community based approaches

(CBA) which include; Community Led Total
Sanitation (CLTS), Participatory Health and
Hygiene Education (PHHE) and Community
Based Planning toolkit advocated for in this
Practical Action/Tendai Tendere
Promoting health and hygiene practices in schools

(A hand washing tank at Berthel School)
project.
.The programme through the CTLS
approach has seen an increase in toilet
Key lesson
?
The major key lesson in implementing
construction and increasing access to sanitary
the
facilities in the two districts. A total of 13 audio
assumptions
recordings were developed with knowledge
project design. During the design, we
stakeholders under the EU Water Facility
had proposed to introduce a new
Project
Knowledge
technology, the Ecological Sanitation
products focused on water, sanitation and
(Ecosan) toilet and we were going to
hygiene issues. Stakeholders involved in the
construct over 1000 units in both
development of the knowledge products were
districts.
in
Gwanda
district.
project
has
we
been
made
around
during
the
members of the Gwanda District Water and

Sanitation
(DWSCC).A
Coordination
total
of
688
Committee
beneficiaries
comprising of 2 861 women and 2 814 men

were reached to date. Beneficiary participation
has increased due to the community based
approaches and podcasting technology being
promoted.
?
However,
government
could
not
approve the technology in favour of the

Upgradable Blair Ventilated Improved
Pit
(UBVIP),
type
of
the
Blair
ventilated improved pit which has

always been a technology of choice for
Zimbabwe
27
Promotion Of Sanitation Through Good Health And Hygiene Education
28
romotion of sanitation through good health

and hygiene education
Thirty-nine year old Stanford Mabhozvo, from

Gwanda in Matebeleland South Province is
participating in the WASHE programme focusing
on Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS). This is
a concept used in the Water Facility Project aimed
at raising awareness and addressing people's
mindset on the importance of proper human
waste disposal.
He says: "I learnt about the negative effects of
open defecation, and I did not want to be the one
contributing to the pollution of the environment
and exposing other people to risks. This made me
to think of constructing my latrine". He was
among the first people to dig a pit.
The current approach that is being championed
by the Government of Zimbabwe's Ministry of
Health and Child Welfare, Practical Action,
UNICEF and WASHE partners also promotes the
participatory approach to health and hygiene
education which is an innovative methodology for
mobilising communities to progressively work

towards stopping open defecation.
Through the CLTS approach, the communities are
facilitated in a participatory manner to appraise and
analyse their sanitation practice and take appropriate
corrective measures. This often results in actions to
stop open defecation, which is common practice in
many communities.
Mabhozvo and his four friends formed a group aimed
at contributing efforts to construct each other's
latrines at their homesteads. Mabhozvo, his wife and
five children had been practicing open defecation and
to them it was a normal life until they came across the
CLTS advocacy on proper waste disposal. He and his
family are using a neighbour's latrine while his is
under construction. The group is composed of 2
community members, one inter-personal
communicator (IPC),trained within the same project,
one village head assistant and one community health
worker.
The group raised $52.00 to buy four bags of cement
and other contributions were in the form of aggregate,
sand, bricks and excavation. Currently, the latrine is
at roof level. The latrine was planned to be completed
by the end of 2013. The other three members have
made bricks for their structures.
One of the core principles of CLTS is the recognition
that the mere provision of latrines does not
automatically result in use of the facilities, nor
contribute to improved sanitation and hygiene
practice.
Although progress has been made in rehabilitating
water infrastructure in urban areas and cholera has
remained under control since 2009, rural populations
continue to withstand the worst of the poor water and
sanitation in the country.
With around 70 percent of Zimbabwe's estimated 13
million people living in the rural areas, improving
access to water, sanitation and hygiene there is critical
as 42 percent practice open defecation.
Earlier sanitation interventions and programmes
prescribed high standards of latrine models that were
out of reach to the ordinary person in the village and
did not meet the intended objective.
Available evidence shows that most of these latrines
created a culture of dependency, and long-term
sustainability of these programmes became
untenable. Open defecation practice therefore
continued unabated with spiral spread of fecal-oral
diseases.
Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) focuses on
behaviour change as a more sustainable way to
sanitation improvement. It offers solutions in the
community on the harmful consequences of open
defecation.
This leads them to take concrete steps to construct
self-made latrines, without any external assistance.
The initiatives by the communities have resulted in
greater ownership and sustainability of latrine use
practice.
3. Promoting Examples of Participatory Local Empowerment in Urban

Planning (PEOPLE UP).
In response to the continued deterioration of
marginalised urban and peri-urban residents
essential urban services provision, weak and
by accessing and sustaining basic municipal
under-resourced
and infrastructure services. The project aimed
centralised planning and governance system
at reaching 302,000 residents of Sakubva
that are inflexible with limited delivery options
suburb in Mutare (62 000), and Epworth (240
and the perennial tug of war between local
000), Mutare City Council and Epworth Local
authorities and residents on the rates or
Board were the target groups which are
service charges and local authority budgets,
constituted under the Urban Councils Act as
Practical Action Southern Africa, in partnership
local governments responsible for service
with Civic Forum on Housing (CFH) and Mutare
provision.
Housing Cooperatives District Union (MDU),
Authorities (Las) were expected to benefit
both with strong grassroots links, have been
indirectly from replication of best practices of
implementing a four-year European Union
the two
funded project in Mutare and Epworth since
demonstrating
February 2009. The project, which ended this
approaches for the delivery of basic urban
year, was called Promoting Examples of
services for poor women and men in Mutare
Participatory Local Empowerment in Urban
and Epworth for the purpose of enhancing
Planning (PEOPLE UP). The project sought to
ownership and income of the people.
local
authorities
with
An
additional
Las. This
ten
initiative
inclusive
and
(10)
Local
focused on
replicable
improve the living conditions of poor and
29
Epworth Ward 3 Brick mouders club
Project Achievements included:
Lessons learnt
Enhanced participation of poor urban residents
?
Community Based Planning (CBP) is a
in the governance of the delivery of basic
powerful
tool
municipal and infrastructure services in their
together
in
communities as a vehicle to improving their
economic development priorities as it
living conditions. This was achieved through
enhanced
fostering the relevant institutional structures
stakeholders including the
both at Local Authority (LA) and community
District Authorities and local leaders.
levels for the collation of community views,
Their
priorities and needs for infrastructure services
prompted local communities to accept
delivery. The structures are now embedded in
the process into their planning and
the Local Authorities (LAs) systems and at the
resource allocation systems as well as
community level, including existing or new
increased collaboration and support to
residents associations, cooperatives and small
initiatives being facilitated by non-state
- scale enterprises run by the local community
actors.
?
?
Look
members. The project also managed to foster
for
bringing
pursuit
of
and
their
participation
participation
Learn
by
key
immediately
Visits
through
Kenya
was
an
exposure
alternative community based service delivery
educative to the community and local
models as well as promote income generation
authority representatives and was a
at community level. The basic training in
catalyst in their buy in.

?
to
local
local level partnerships for enhancement of
business planning and management skills led
visit
people
very
Stakeholder expectations need to be
to identification of community management
properly understood as part of the
enterprises
project design process and properly
in
the
plumbing
and
replicable
model
areas
waste
for
brick
making,
management.
sustainable
managed
service
ensure
during
implementation
adequate
resources
to
and
delivery was documented and endorsed by
partnership arrangements are mobilized
national association of local authorities and
as part of the project planning process.
adopted by at least two local authorities by end
?
Vulnerable
of project
groups such as women,
people living with disabilities (PWDs),

HIV and AIDS affected and any other
Practical Action/ Tariro Kadzirange
groups must explicitly be targeted
30
Discussions between local Authorities and

residents at a workshop
through their operational structures to

ensure
their
voices
are
heard
in
community based urban planning and

development processes.
?
The future continuation of local economic
development
diversification
projects
initiatives
and
should
be
pinned on linkages with local authority

?
and the private sector actors.

Avenues for promoting peer learning and
mutual support mechanisms by local
authorities that are involved in

innovative and participatory urban
planning and development processes
must be created and supported by
Practical Action and its partners using
linkages already developed during the
operational period of the project. This
initiative can be based on use of new
information and communication
technologies which could be part of an egovernance learning project.
?
Conflict management and peace
building must be integrated in the toolkit
for participatory urban planning given

the prevalence of conflict in urban local
authorities in Zimbabwe. Conflict is a
major impediment to sustainable
community based urban planning and
development.
?
Learning on community-private sector
and local government collaboration need
to be expanded to include national,
regional and international experiences to
inform the future of local government
partnerships in Zimbabwe.
Urban upgrading gathers momentum in Mutare

There are lots of mosquitoes around here," says Emma Chitendera, a resident of Ward Two in
the Sakubva high-density suburb of Mutare. "Sometimes they attack in waves at night. The
next day you're tired from lack of sleep, and then a few days later you go down with a deadly
disease - Malaria fever."
"At times, there are a lot of excreta all over this place during the rains and when the toilets are
dirty. Anybody can tell from far when the latrines are full or when they are very dirty. They smell
badly and nobody wants to use them,'' laments 15-year-old Chipo Mlambo.
"The conditions here are not healthy at all due to overcrowding, with many families occupying
and sharing single rooms. We utilise a communal toilet and bathing room together with more
than 500 other families, but the hygienic conditions are very bad and the toilets and sewer
systems are constantly blocked, added 37-year old Chipo Maphosa.
She shares a single room with another family. We are two families in this room and nine people
live in this room. We simply divide the room with curtains, Maphosa added.
These are some of the voices from Chimoio Flats in Sakubva, in Mutare, Zimbabwe's fourth
largest city. Sakubva is the oldest low-income suburb in Mutare, established in 1925.
The only areas for children to play are breeding grounds for flies, cockroaches and rats;
increasing the health risks for many people. There is also a communal water tap near the toilet
where they fetch water for household use, but Maphosa said that the water is of good quality
and is always available.
However, under the PEOLE UP Project, all this would be improved. The project was implemented
through a tripartite partnership involving Practical Action Southern Africa, the Mutare Housing
Cooperatives District Union (MDU),working in Sakubva, and the Civic Forum on Housing
(CFH),working in Epworth - a peri-urban settlement 12 km south-east of Zimbabwe's capital,
Harare. Primarily, the project benefited 302,000 residents - from both Sakubva and Epworth.
Mike Duru is the chairperson of the MDU. He says the project had enhanced the capacity and
voices of the local community and their leaders to understand and demand improved service
delivery.
Stenard Mapurisa, Director of Housing and Community Services, Mutare City Council, said the
local authority was now more accountable to communities as there was a common
understanding between the council and residents.
Chitendera told us about her hopes for an improved clean water supply in her high-density
suburb: "In the past, the municipality would not dream of coming to this neighbourhood. I
believe that with the relationship we have with them we can do a lot to improve our livelihoods.
Through community-based planning processes, we have been empowered to approach the city
council for related services. The process is now bottom-up instead of top-down.''
31
PRACTICAL ANSWERS
Sharing knowledge is the powerful
tool to conquer poverty
described as marginal, poor and largely

underdeveloped, is a result of a lack of
knowledge.
Practical Answers is the Technical Information

Service of Practical Action. It aims to provide a
During the year under review, Practical
resource
or
Answers successfully collaborated with key
intermediate technologies that can be used to
knowledge stakeholders such as Agritex,
improve the lives of people living in poverty. It
Veterinary Services, Ministry of Health and
allows people to access the wealth of technical
Child Welfare, and Matopos Research Institute
information within Practical Action as well as
to develop 56 knowledge products in audio and
bringing together the knowledge of others.
video formats. These knowledge products
on
small-scale
technologies
were disseminated by a network of 92

Practical Answers works on the premise that
community - based knowledge workers in
knowledge is the most critical development
Matabeland South Province.
tool. Without it, communities remain poor. If

Through the integration of Practical Answers
appropriate language, voice and formats, they
into project work, at least 40,000 people
can adopt various livelihood options. Failure to
accessed knowledge resources. Most notably,
develop, particularly the rural areas, often
Practical Answers worked with Practical Action
Practical Action/ Thembinkosi Nyathi
people acquire appropriate knowledge in
32
Knowledge content recording in progress
Consulting (PAC) to develop a technical guide
Reduction Project in Buhera, Makoni and
on Conducting Micro Hydro Pre-feasibility
Nyanga districts. One of the key interventions
studies. This was a successful demonstration
within the project seeks to improve the
of how Practical Answers can work with
delivery of extension support to farmers
programmes
through the use of podcasting.
to
develop
tailor
made
knowledge products to ensure the processes,

experiences and lessons from projects are
The key learning point during the year under
captured, and shared widely with all key
review is that collaborative knowledge content
stakeholders.
development approach has proved effective in

ensuring the development of authoritative
Creating awareness of Practical Answers
knowledge resources. This has been achieved
knowledge through network meetings has
through the establishment of communities of
resulted in enquiries to implement digital
practice made up of experts mainly focusing
extension
other
on crop and livestock production, water and
through
sanitation and health. This practice is being
technical advice from Practical Answers, has
implemented in all projects where Practical
integrated podcasting into their Food Security
Answers has been integrated.
and
by
GOAL/Zimbabwe,
Livelihoods
Centred
Disaster
Risk
Practical Action/ Thembinkosi Nyathi
organisations.
(podcasting)
Communities in Gwanda listening to podcasting messages
33
PRACTICAL ACTION CONSULTING

SOUTHERN AFRIA (PAC SnA)
environmental problems. The project is designed
Practical Action Consulting Southern Africa (PAC
to enable replication and sustainability around
SnA)
responsive
communities in Malawi through creation of social
development consultancy services to various
enterprise companies for to run and manage
clients including Governments, International
community energy generation and distribution.
offers
high
quality
and
Development Agencies, NGOs and private sector

entities in the Southern Africa Region. Our work
Achievements
builds on the experiences and competencies of
Among other things the project installs micro-
Practical Action Southern Africa and the wider
hydro
Practical Action group.
implements
We offer tailor made
electricity
an
generation
innovative
schemes;
pre-payment
solutions to address development challenges in
electricity
the region which include high levels of poverty;
increases access to energy for households for
lack of access to energy, limited access to
lighting, cooking and access to ICTs; improves
affordable and appropriate WASH technologies
the viability of enterprises in the community
system
for
local
communities;
and markets; food and livelihood insecurity. We
through improved energy technologies, creating
are leaders in sourcing and providing information
new jobs, increasing profits, and offering new
and issuing guidance in delivering technological
products and services to the local people and
strategies for effective community and national
improves the public services in the community
development.
including more and better services in the village

health centres, more teachers and night classes
Our 2012-13 Projects
in school and street lighting in the communities
During the past year we have delivered projects
at night.
in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique and

Malawi in the thematic areas of agriculture,
Mr Tchaka is one of the key beneficiaries from the
energy and markets. Below are of the highlights
project. Tchaka's household currently has access
of project delivered:
to clean energy especially for lighting and for

household enterprise. His average monthly
1. Viable Business Models for Enhancing
income has increased from MK31,000 (app US$
Energy Access in Malawi through the
94) before he got connected to electricity and
Malawi
started his businesses to MK93,000 (US$ 282).
Energy
Access
Accelerator
He runs a video show and battery charging
Project
PAC
SnA
since
July
2012
is
coordinating
implementation of a project on viable business
business. This means he can now afford basic

needs for his family .
models for off grid community based microfunded by the OPEC Fund for International
Development (OFID) and Practical Action. It is
co-funded by USAID, the Scottish Government,
CONLOG and DFID Business Innovation Facility.
The project aims at increasing access to energy
for poor people in rural parts of Malawi and
contributes to the national development goals
34
including
increased
growth,
improved
incomes
health,
and
economic
educational
attainment and gender relations, and mitigating
Practical Action/ Lasten Mika
hydro schemes in Malawi. The project is being
Mr Lickson Tchakatisa with two of his children

and a grand-daughter.
Practical Action/ Lasten Mika
His future plans include constructing a proper

facility
for
Video
Centre,
Barber,
Phone
Charging, Battery Charging and opening a

computer centre for CD burning. Before the
electricity came to Bondo, people were walking
close to 18 Km to charge their batteries at Mini
Tea Estate or Chitakale Township.
Mr Lickson Tchakatisas current Battery charging station
2. Building Resilience through Community Level Participatory Planning (CLPP)

PAC SnA facilitated the Community Level Participatory Planning (CLPP) in 10 Districts in Zimbabwe
where the World Food Programme (WFP) is implementing Cash/Food for Asset (C/FFA)
interventions. The main objective of the C/FFA intervention is to create, protect or rehabilitate
productive assets that improve food security, income security, livelihood opportunities, build
resilience and adaptive capacity for recurrent vulnerable non labour constrained households. This is
in response to the inadequacy of the previous approaches where food relief interventions were
leading to dependency and failing to address the underlying causes of household food insecurity. As
a way of addressing these challenges WFP has come up with the CLPP initiative which is an adoption
and
institutionalisation
of
Practical Action/ Grace Musarurwa
community based planning (CBP)

process.
The
CLPP
undertaken
process
in
was
first
Districts
of
Mutare, Hwange and Mt Darwin

as a pilot study between May and
August 2012. A total of 30
participants were trained on how
to facilitate the CLPP process.
Eighteen (18) Community Action
Plans
(CAPs)
were
produced
during this pilot phase. Thus, a

total of six CAPs were produced
Ward 27 Munyoro, Mutare District: community participants from each of the 3 Districts.
undertaking a community profiling exercise.
The second phase of the CLPP process was undertaken from November 2012 to April 2013. PAC SnA
conducted the CLPP process in seven priority food insecure districts of Tsholotsho, Mbire, Darwin,
Chiredzi, Zaka, Chipinge and Mutare. A total of 180 CAPs were produced in the seven districts.
35
Achievements
needing
At the end of the two CLPP phases conducted
communities coming up with shopping lists.
external
support
and
avoids
by PAC SnA, a total of 198 CAPS were

produced and two hundred and one (201)
participants
(WFP
sub-office
Use of Local Based Facilitators:If
s t a f f,
communities are allowed to determine
Government and Cooperating Partner staff)
their destiny with facilitators from their
were trained on how to facilitate CLPP. The
own wards, they are able to rticulate their
CAPs will contribute to the District Plan as they
own priorities and come up with visions for
are submitted to the Local Authority. The CAPs
self-sustainable livelihoods restoration.
have prioritised development initiatives which
Participation
of
Marginalized
the community can identify with and can claim
Groups: arginalized groups are rarely
full
Government
given a chance and space to air their views.
Department and other stakeholders who want
Giving space to marginalized groups also
to work in the district can pick on any of the
limits inclusion and exclusion errors in
food security initiatives they want to support
community
from the CAPS. The prioritised initiatives show
targeting.
ownership.
NGOs,
the community's contribution as well as
profiling
and
beneficiary
Social Harmony: The process also
available local resources. WFP used the CAPS
creates social harmony as people of
as resource material in a food security
different socio-economic groups meet and
proposal call for Productive Asset Creation in
come out with a shared vision for the
May 2013. The aim of the call was to build
development of their community. Peace
resilience through creation of productive
and social harmony are consistent with
assets. WFP also used the lessons learnt from
development. Identification and election of
the CLPP process to feed into the Zimbabwe
lcal leaders becomes more democratic and
Community
merit-based.
Productive
Works
Policy
Framework currently being developed by
Cost effectiveness of the training
Government through the Ministry of Labour
model Training of Trainers approach used
and Social Services and supported by the
in this project is a cost effective mens of
World Bank.
achieving impact at scale. A total of 231

participants who have direct contact with
36
Lessons Learnt
the community on a daily basis were
Maximizing local and external resource
trained on how to facilitate the CLPP
utilisation:
enabled
process. The 231 participants assisted in
communities to realise the value of their own
the production of 198 CAPs. This is a good
resources and potential in driving their own
investent to the communities as they will
development. In all the districts, planners first
be ableto conduct the same process on
identified the potential within their areas
their
before proposing new interventions based on
requires submission of new plans. This will
external resources. This participatory analysis
also enhance sustainability of the process
and planning enables clearer identification
as the knowledge and skills are now at
and quantification of development areas
community level.
The
process
own
when
the
Local
Authority
Quotations from stakeholders on CLPP Process
usually sing (uyedza kwazouya kwadzima

This planning process is undoubtedly the
right direction for us to go as a community as
it gives all of us an opportunity to determine
our destiny. It is a welcome relief because it
encourages our people to shape their destiny
and depart from being perennil recipients of
food assistance. We are also grateful to be
given this opportunity to be actively engaged
in planning the future of our ward.
Mr. Innocent Ncube - Councilor Ward 16,
rima). The light has shown and darkness has

gone CLLP has come and hunger and poverty
will flee away. We were in darkness of
dependency now we see the light of selfreliance
through
planning,
visioning
and
prioritizing our own development initiatives

using locally available resources and labour.
Mr. Mwandiambakare Dinhira, Councillor,
Munyoro Ward 27, Mutare District (June
2012)
Hwange District (June 2012)

As a community we are delighted to move
Iam certain that this CLPP has opened our
from Cash/Food for Work to Cash/Food for
eyes and brought us as a community to be at a
Assets. The move will see us not only working
level
to receive for food or cash from WFP but at the
understanding
same time developing our local assets. Yes,
development our community. I am happy that
many of us even the able bodied mightjust
there is a shift from the Food for Work to Food
want to receive food or cash while sitting at
for
home but I can assure you this will not
development that our community can progress
improve anyone' life this will only result in
more sustainably. We will guard the assets
breeding lazy people or encourage people to
developed through the process with our lives
be lazy zvino bereka simbe kana kukuchidzira
because we identified them, we will develop
usimbe). here is a saying which says o not
them and they will bring food security to
give people fish but instead teach them how
ourWard. They are our very own assets.
to fish.I would like to sum up my appreciation
Mrs. M. Tsoriyo, Ngomasha Ward 12 Councillor,
of CLLP by saying the words of a Shona song I
Mutare District (June 2012
where
ssets
we
now
of
because
have
issues
it
is
common
concerning
through
the
asset
37
3. Participatory Market System Development (PMSD)

upon which they engage with the market.
PAC
SnA
provided
capacity
building
in
Participatory Market Systems Development

(PMSD) to Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) and
Christian Aid stakeholders in Lusaka, Zambia
to facilitate development of markets that
work for the poor. The two organisations have
been working on livelihood programmes with
communities in Zambia concentrating on
improving productivity for poor communities
and less effort has been put on equipping
them on how to engage and link with markets
due to little or no information on market
conditions, prices and quality of goods. They
are often not organized to speak collectively;
they have limited experience of market
negotiation and little appreciation of their
producers to become more effective players in

the
market
must
therefore
focus
more
attention on the processes and institutions,

competencies and relationships that enable
markets
to
work
better
for
poor
rural
producers.
Practical Action developed this approach to propoor market development 10 years ago and it
has featured as a best practice in the
implementation of value chain development by
USAID and is also highly regarded by donors
including
DFID,
SDC
and
the
European
Commission. The approach assists in analyzing

how market actors can work together to
unblock constraints to make entire sectors
more efficient and competitive.
Practical Action/ Grace Musarurwa
capacity to influence the terms and conditions
Interventions that seek to support small-scale
38
Capacity building in Participatory Market Systems Development
COMMUNICATIONS AND EVENTS

Poor People`s Energy Outlook (PPEO) 2013
launched in Malawi and Zimbabwe
In September 2010, the United Nations (UN)
Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon launched the target
of universal energy access by 2030. In a bid to
accelerate knowledge dissemination and influencing
policy and decision makers as well as business
leaders, Practical Action with support from the
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
and GIZ, a German development agency for
international cooperation has been producing a book
annually titled, Poor people's energy outlook
that clearly outlines and presents the case of energy
poverty from the perspective of poor people.
This report draws principally on research and

contributions of statistical data, project case studies
and human testimonies from around the world. The
2013 edition reports in unprecedented detail the
experiences of energy use and deprivation of people
living in poverty. It advocates increased focus on energy access as a priority for development. It
contributes to a better understanding of the links between access to energy services and economic
development.
The Southern Africa office hosted two launch events for the Poor People`s Energy Outlook
2013 report in Zimbabwe and Malawi during the year under review.. The United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) generously supported the Zimbabwe launch financially. The wellattended events attracted participants from UN agencies, government ministries and departments,
civil society organisations, private sector and academic institutions. The launches in both countries
were conducted with support and input from partners who included GiZ, UNDP and the World Bank.
With previous editions of the report having been launched in 2010 and 2011 in Zimbabwe, this third
report in the series focused on energy for community services and illustrates the difference that
improved energy access can make to health, education and public infrastructure, including water
and street lighting.
39

Panelists officially present the PPEO 2013 report
The events in both countries brought together stakeholders around a new energy narrative one,
which focuses on the energy services that poor people want, need and have an entitlement as part
of their rights.
From the discussions and presentations
conclude that indeed Energy is an

enabler: it can catalyse development
and
makes
it
possible
to
achieve
broader development goals.
There was consensus that there is need

to
adopt
clear
and
consistent
statements that modern energy access

is a priority and that policies and funding
should
be
directed
towards
this
made at the launches, it is safe to
objective. To ensure total access to
40
energy for all, governments in the region need to adopt a specific energy access targets and sustain
these through adequate funding.
Achievements Recognised
Ernest Mupunga receives Director of the year Award
Ernest Mupunga Regional Director

for Southern Africa was awarded a
trophy and a certificate of being the
Director of the year in the NGO sector by
the
National
Association
Governmental
of
Non-
Organisations
(NANGO).This recognition follows the

good work we are doing as an office in
trying to fulfil our vision of, becoming a
Southern Africa free of poverty and
injustice in which technology is used for
the benefit of all.
Membership certificate from WEC

Practical Action Southern Africa received a membership certificate from World Energy Council
(WEC) on Friday 5 April 2013. WEC is the principal impartial network of leaders and practitioners
promoting an affordable, stable and
sensitive
energy
system for the greatest benefit of all.
Through the network, we can benefit

from:
Unique networking opportunities
Opportunities to establish dialogue

and
exchange
views
with
like-
minded organisations
Access WEC`s global studies and

research
environmentally
Mr Panganayi Sithole (left), the Director of the Zimbabwe Energy Council, handed over the
certificate to Ernest Mupunga, the Regional Director. According to Mr. Sithole, it usually takes three
years for an organisation to get this certificate, but with Practical Action, this process was expedited
due to the good work we are doing in energy.
41
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
42
43
44
45
46
Practical Action Southern Africa

4 Ludlow Road, Newlands
P.O Box 1744
Harare
Zimbabwe
T+263 (4) 776631 - 3, 776107
F+263 (4) 788157
C+263 (772) 402 896
W http://www.practicalaction.org

Practical Action: Annual Report 2012

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Practical Action: Annual Report 2012

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ANNUAL REPORT

Practical Action Southern Africa, 2013

Text and production coordination: Martha Munyoro katsi

Sustainable Agriculture and Livelihoods..........................................

Water and Sanitation.......................................................................

Practical Action Consulting..............................................................

Communications and Events ...........................................................

livelihoods and market systems that alleviate poverty.

MESSAGE FROM THE

I am glad to announce that through the Energy

systems such as micro-hydro and solar power

communities in Malawi, Mozambique and

further 100,000 relational beneficiaries were

Ernest G. Mupunga (Regional Director)

great pleasure to share our 2012-

bodies by Practical Action's key partner

organisations such as Environment Africa in

elcome, readers. It gives me

Report, having completed the first year of our

ambitious 2012 2017 strategy that is

Environment and Energy Concerns of Zambia

motivated by Connectedness, Dynamism,

(EECZ) and ZERO for Zimbabwe.

Pace and Collaboration for the future as we

I am also delighted to report that through

poverty in the region through appropriate

Sustainable Agriculture and Livelihoods (SAL)

Programme, over 20 000 people benefitted

Through applying technologies complimented

over 69 000 relational beneficiaries were

participatory approaches, as well as

influencing enabling policy and legislative

reforms, we have managed to improve the

lives of the poor. Practical Action Southern

Africa has been leading global initiatives in the

region including the Sustainable Energy for All

(SE4ALL), the Total Energy Access (TEA)

Organisations such as Hlekweni, Development

campaigns and the launch of the Poor People

Aid from People to People (DAPP) and Hodi in

Energy Outlook (PPEO) Reports, which we

Zambia and Zimbabwe. This was mainly

hope will improve the lives of over 6 million

achieved through funding from the European

energy to power agriculture - solar powered

Programme (WFP) and the Food Agriculture

We also built the capacity of

national agriculture extension agencies to use

change and how they can adapt to its impacts.

Hygiene Education (WASHE) Programme, our

Through Practical Answers, we continued to

water and better sanitation conditions for the

use our knowledge sharing platforms to share

urban poor - specifically slum areas in

Southern Africa. During the year, we promoted

enquiries, especially using digital extension -

new and innovative ways in which local

podcasting - to reach farmers in remote areas

authorities, residents, and the private sector

could work together to improve urban service

information in an engaging way.

Poor and marginalised urban and

peri-urban residents in Mutare and Epworth