The seeds of support sown earlier this year are now bearing fruit, as donors from Bon Secours Hospital of Ireland witnessed firsthand during a field visit this October. Communities in Chipekenya Village, Traditional Authority Mtwalo, showcased the remarkable progress of a nutrition and livelihoods initiative implemented by the Centre for Holistic Inclusion in Social Milestones (CHISOMO).
This visit served as a follow-up to the project’s launch in January 2025, when CHISOMO, with support from its partners, first distributed yellow sweet potato vines and chickens to households in the area.
The impact is now clearly measurable. Matthews Nyirenda, Secretary for the model village, reported that since receiving the Black Australorp chickens, all 85 targeted households now have at least three chickens each, providing a consistent source of protein through meat and eggs.
“The potato vines have done more than improve our diet; they have boosted our income and enabled us to better support our children’s education,” Nyirenda added, highlighting the project’s multi-faceted benefits.
Another beneficiary, James Khowoya, expressed gratitude for the introduction of climate-smart farming techniques. He also shared the community’s aspiration for greater resilience, appealing for irrigation facilities to reduce their dependence on rain-fed agriculture and secure their harvests against climate variability.
The visiting delegation from Bon Secours Hospital of Ireland was impressed by the community’s dedication. A member of the delegation, Sharon Morrow, commended the unity and sustainability efforts on display.
“We are inspired by the community’s unity, their clean environment, and their well-managed waste. It shows a deep commitment to sustainability,” Morrow said. She also acknowledged the challenges shared by the community, particularly in accessing safe water, and assured them that the team would explore avenues for possible support.
This October visit not only highlighted the project’s success in enhancing food, nutrition, and income security but also strengthened the partnership between the donors, CHISOMO, and the community, paving the way for future collaborative efforts.
By Rose Cross Mahorya