Lutheran Development Services

Today, the Lutheran Development Services (LDS) welcomed delegates from the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (FELM) for a field visit to Community Learning and Demonstration Centres (CLDCs) established by LDS in Chiredzi South.

During the visit, the delegates engaged briefly with communities in Ward 11, Chikombedzi, and then proceeded to Ward 12, Gurungweni, where they had an opportunity to see and appreciate the progress of community resilience and livelihood initiatives supported by FELM. These include the construction of community seedbanks, silage-making resources, drought-tolerant Rakodzi seed, and the goat project, which includes the fencing of paddocks and construction of goat pens.

The Gurungweni CLDC was the main highlight of the visit, with the official opening of the Gurungweni Seedbank and Meeting Hall. The facility is now equipped with solar-powered electricity and Starlink Wi-Fi, providing an improved space for community learning, meetings and agricultural activities.

The event was attended by key district and community stakeholders , including Chiredzi assistant DDC , Chiredzi District Agritex Head Mr Bodi, Agritex officers, village heads, Chief Mpapa, Alderman Councilor Makondo, the LDS Executive Director, and LDS field and office staff.

The visit provided an important opportunity for FELM, LDS, communities and government stakeholders to reflect on the progress of the interventions and their contribution to strengthening community resilience and sustainable livelihoods.

Today the Lutheran Development Services joined members of the Global Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Community of Practice for its annual meeting in Nairobi Kenya , where key issues around the mental health are being discussed.

Yesterday, Lutheran Development Services (LDS) continued with the inception meeting activities under the Gwanda Anticipatory Action Project in Ward 14, covering Guyu, Ntepe and Samlodi areas in Gwanda District.

The meetings brought together community members and key stakeholders, including village heads, councillors, Agritex officers and representatives from government line ministries.

The sessions focused on introducing the project to communities, raising awareness on Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) and Safeguarding, and engaging communities and stakeholders on the planned project activities

Representatives from Christian Aid also joined the field activities to appreciate the work being undertaken by LDS as the implementing partner and engage with communities and stakeholders.

Today, the Lutheran Development Services (LDS) conducted activities under the Gwanda Anticipatory Action Project in Selonga (D***o Ward Centre) and Nhwali Ward 24, aimed at introducing the project to communities and stakeholders, strengthening awareness on PSEAH and Safeguarding, verifying fodder seed beneficiaries, and monitoring garden and borehole sites to ensure that planned interventions are appropriately targeted, safe, and responsive to community needs. The project is supported by Start Network and Christian Aid.

The Gwanda Anticipatory Actions Project was launched in Gwanda on the 1st September, targeting wards 13, 14, 15, 16,17, 19 and 24. Actions include establishment of 4 piped water schemes, 4 community gardens, distribution of seed [cowpeas and sorghum], making silage, supporting awareness on the EL NINO via radio broadcasts and bulk messages, supporting accountability.
Aid

We join the humanitarian community in mourning the passing on of H.E. Ms Katrin Hagemann. We express our heartfelt condolences to the EU body at large. May God comfort us.

Statement on the passing of H.E. Ms Katrin Hagemann, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Zimbabwe.

🚨 Start Ready activated in ahead of forecasted

The activation took place on 25 August 2026, following forecasts indicating a high likelihood of drought conditions between October and January, enabling communities to act ahead of the crop season. £1.27 million is being disbursed to support around 97,286 people across Beitbridge, Mwenezi, Gwanda, Matobo and Masvingo rural districts.

Over the next three months, our members FACT Zimbabwe, Nutrition Action Zimbabwe (NAZ), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Save the Children in Zimbabwe and Christian Aid, and their partners Tearfund, Caritas Zimbabwe Diocese of Masvingo, ORAP Zimbabwe, Action Against Hunger UK (ACF) and Lutheran Development Services will deliver anticipatory actions to support communities to reduce the impacts of drought by:

🌱 Distributing drought-tolerant seeds and vouchers for agricultural inputs, alongside farmer training on climate-smart agriculture

💧 Rehabilitating and solarising boreholes and strengthening Water Point Committees to maintain access to safe water

🐄 Supporting livelihoods and livestock health through veterinary training, livestock feed, poultry kits, vaccination campaigns and dip tanks

🥕 Establishing community nutrition gardens with micro-irrigation systems to improve access to diverse, nutritious food

📢 Raising awareness on crop and livestock management, El Niño risks, and protection and safeguarding

By acting during the planting window, these interventions aim to strengthen household food and nutrition security and protect livelihoods before drought impacts escalate.

See in action ahead of a previous drought in Zimbabwe:

https://youtu.be/KNW6i4z8TYc

📢 MAJOR NEWS! We’re Taking Action in Chiredzi, Zimbabwe! 📢

Diakonia Zimbabwe is pleased to announce the approval of a 630,000 SEK grant
"Resilience and Rights: Disaster Preparedness Through Protecting Girls’ Rights to Education, Health, and Nutrition in Chiredzi, Zimbabwe."

In partnership with Lutheran Development Services Lutheran Development Services (LDS) and Musasa, this 12-month intervention (August 2026 – August 2027) will address humanitarian needs caused by climate shocks, recurrent droughts, and cyclone flooding in Ward 9, Chiredzi.

Key Project Pillars & Targets:

🏫 Safe Education: Equipping vulnerable learners with school kits, training 67 teachers in trauma-informed pedagogy, and building girl-friendly WASH facilities.

🥗 Health & Nutrition: Establishing 3 school orchards benefiting 1,500 children and training 90 caregivers on local malaria and cholera mitigation.

🤝 Protection & Psychosocial Support: Deploying Mobile Counselling Units to provide survivor-centered care, case management, and referral transport for health and legal services.

🕊️ Peer Leadership: Training the "Pillars of Hope" peer groups to build youth resilience and provide psychological first aid.

🏛️ Community Engagement: Engaging 30 traditional leaders and key gatekeepers to transform harmful social norms and promote gender equality.

Through a human rights-based, survivor-centered, and locally led approach, the project will directly benefit 3,754 individuals and indirectly impact 7,392 community members, embedding long-term sustainability through local structures like Child Protection Committees and School Development Committees.

We extend our sincere appreciation to our partners, community leaders, and local government stakeholders for their shared commitment to advancing gender justice and protecting children's fundamental rights.

🔴 HAPPENING NOW

Lutheran Development Services is currently participating in the Partner Networking and Learning Exchange on Disability Inclusion workshop at the Monomotapa Hotel in Harare!

We are excited to connect with partners, share insights, and strengthen our collective efforts toward creating a more inclusive society where no one is left behind. ♿✨

A huge thank you to FELM for making this impactful learning opportunity possible!

Today we celebrate everyone contributing towards humanitarianism. The world is a better place because of you.