In Jaji Village, Shamva District, a group of 30 young people (20 males and 10 females) aged between 18 and 35, including youth with disabilities are transforming a communal garden into a pathway for economic independence, food security, and hope.
Supported through the Youth Empowerment Project funded by City Moda through the HPP Italy Project, these young people are proving that when youth are equipped with practical skills, resources and opportunities, they can become powerful drivers of sustainable development in their communities.
Faced with challenges such as unemployment, drug and substance abuse and early marriages, the youths of Jaji have embraced agriculture as a viable livelihood option. Working together on a communal garden, they are cultivating onions, beans, vegetables and green maize. Already, they have successfully established a 0.2-hectare onion crop; the first of three planned crops across two production cycles.
"The Zimbabwe Youth Policy recognizes young people as key drivers of national development," explains project organiser Christopher Mangwende. "What we are seeing in Jaji is exactly that. By combining skills training, entrepreneurship and market access, the project is helping young people build sustainable livelihoods while contributing to local food security and economic growth."
To strengthen their capacity, participants completed a five-day climate-smart horticulture training programme in May 2026 and a two-day value addition and solar drying course delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture. These trainings equipped them with practical knowledge on sustainable production methods, post-harvest management and value addition.
For 22-year-old Ashwin Chambare from Sikero Village, the project has changed his outlook on the future. "Many young people think success can only be found in towns and cities. This project is showing us that there are opportunities right here in our community. Through the trainings, I gained skills that I will use to generate income from my own garden and support my family."
For Moira Getias (25), a mother of one and Chairperson of the youth group, the project has provided both economic and leadership opportunities. "The project has helped me develop leadership skills while creating an opportunity to earn an income and support my child," she says.
Ashley Kanhukamwe, a DAPP Field Officer, believes the project reflects a broader vision for youth development. "Young people are not only beneficiaries of development but partners in development. In Jaji, they are taking ownership of their future and demonstrating that, with the right support, they can become leaders of positive change in their communities."
Launched in January 2026 and running through December 2026, the project is already yielding promising results in Shamva Distcrit.