Seeds of Hope

How the Tapepuka Nutrition Garden is Transforming Lives in Zaka

For over fifty years, Christian Care, the service arm of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, has been a steadfast partner to communities in need. Founded in 1967, the organization has dedicated itself to preserving life and human dignity through sustainable development and humanitarian response, empowering marginalized communities to overcome poverty, hunger, and vulnerability.

One of the most transformative examples of Christian Care’s work can be found in the Tapepuka Nutrition Garden in Zaka District. Once a barren stretch of land, it has been revitalized into a flourishing garden that not only produces fresh vegetables but also offers income, skills development, and hope for the local community.

This transformation has been made possible through the generous annual support of the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS). With OGHS resources, Christian Care was able to fence the garden and provide seeds for vegetable cultivation, safeguarding the crops from livestock and ensuring consistent production. The garden now directly benefits 52 households—roughly 260 people—and indirectly provides fresh produce to an estimated 4,500 community members who access the vegetables through local markets.

For families like that of Sharai Handson, a 43-year-old mother from Richard Village, the Tapepuka Nutrition Garden has been life-changing. Sharai shares:

“The Tapepuka Nutrition Garden has strengthened my family’s nutrition and income. I now sell fresh vegetables at the 4 Miles Shopping Centre in Zaka and earn about $12 each day. This money helps me pay school fees for my children and cover other household needs.”

Sharai adds that the garden has also given her a sense of purpose and independence. “I feel proud that I can contribute to my family’s wellbeing. I never imagined that a piece of land could provide so much hope for us.”

Beyond addressing immediate food needs, OGHS support has helped the community build lasting skills in vegetable production and entrepreneurship. Community members have learned how to plan, plant, and harvest efficiently, and how to sell their produce in local markets, giving them tools to generate income long after the initial project support. The fenced garden itself is a productive asset that will continue to benefit the community for years to come.

“The impact is both tangible and lasting,” says a Christian Care project officer. “It’s not just about food on the table. It’s about equipping people with skills, creating a sense of community ownership, and building resilience against future challenges.”

The reach of OGHS extends far beyond Zaka. In recent years, the offering has also supported the drilling and equipping of a borehole at Mutsinzwa School in Bikita, providing safe water for pupils and villagers alike. In Matobo District, funds helped purchase textbooks for Lingwe Primary School, improving education access in one of Zimbabwe’s most disadvantaged areas. These interventions exemplify how OGHS supports holistic community development—addressing food security, water access, education, and economic opportunity.

Christian Care’s work is guided by its 2024–2028 Strategic Plan, which prioritizes building climate resilience, improving access to safe water and sanitation, supporting education, strengthening food security, and responding to emergencies. The partnership with OGHS is a vital lifeline in this work, allowing Christian Care to respond to urgent community needs while also investing in long-term development that restores dignity and hope.

For community members like Sharai, the impact is deeply personal. “Before the garden, we struggled to put enough food on the table,” she says. “Now, I see my children growing strong, eating nutritious vegetables every day. I am no longer just surviving; I feel like we are building a future together.”

To supporters of One Great Hour of Sharing, your giving is not just funding projects. It is nourishing families, sending children to school, providing clean water, creating productive assets, and building hope in communities across Zimbabwe. Through partnerships like this, Christian Care is helping families grow not just vegetables, but opportunity, resilience, and dignity—one garden at a time.