Chinese Government provides $500,000 grant to WFP to build weir dam, nutrition garden and orchard in Shauke community within Zvishavane

In 2017, the Chinese Government provided a $500,000 grant to the World Food Program (WFP) to build a 39,000 cubic meter weir dam, a 1.3 ha nutrition garden, and an orchard in the Shauke community within the Zvishavane district and Midlands Province.

The project is being spearheaded by the WFP in partnership with its implementing local agency, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency Zimbabwe (ADRA). The purpose of this project is to boost food security and build the community's resilience to climate-induced shocks.

The weir dam will reportedly benefit 480 households, 800 head of cattle, and 600 goats, while the nutrition garden will reportedly benefit 80 households from surrounding villages.

The garden will reportedly produce a variety of vegetables for household consumption and for sale to generate income to improve the community's livelihoods. A groundbreaking ceremony for this project took place on 29 August, 2017. The project was slated for completion in December 2017.