Chichester Convent Facelift: A Land Restoration & Livelihoods Enhancement Project

Replicating Dzivarasekwa Forest Model, :

PROJECT BACKGROUND/OVERVIEW

The Chichester Convent Facelift project is an intergenerational, faith and nature based  project  which seeks to address land degradation, biodiversity loss and youth unemployment through agroforestry, formation, training, awareness creation, intergenerational learning and green entrepreneurship; replicating Dziwarasekwa Forest model (but in an improved manner), a successful agro-forest in Dzivarasekwa high density suburb, Harare. 

The proposed project is expected to contribute towards ecological integration, employment opportunities, nutritious food security and self-reliance.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

 Restore degraded Chichester dryland through agroforestry

 Promote sustainable and inclusive land stewardship through multiple land use (tree planting, livelihoods, nutritious food production), intergenerational solidarity and knowledge sharing, multi-sector collaboration with relevant stakeholders and/ like minded organizations, religious institutions and private sector as well as  long-term vision.

 Establish sustainable green livelihoods through green skills training, value-addition, eco tourism and eco-entrepreneurship.

 Foster ecological awareness and intergenerational knowledge exchange 

Key activities include;

 Set up a nursery of both indigenous, fruit and multi-purpose trees including conservation of rare tree species and herbs

 Establishing an eco-hub center for education, formation, knowledge exchange and tree seed bank

 Training on nursery management, tree planting and growing, composting, bee keeping, vegetable/herb production and value-addition

 Engaging young and elderly people to plant trees

 Setting-up a micro enterprise outlet for income generation of surplus products

 Documenting traditional ecological knowledge and best practices.

(This i an ongoing project being implemented using locally available resource. Funding support and partnership are needed to upscale. 

If you are interested, schedule a day for an onsite visit)