Health and Food Security for Women and Children

In Zambia’s rural Chipata District, over half the population lives in extreme poverty, relying almost entirely on subsistence farming to survive. Most families cultivate only maize on less than an acre of land, leaving their diets lacking in essential nutrients. As a result, rates of malnutrition are alarming—66% of children under five suffer from stunting, and many women and girls experience serious micronutrient deficiencies. Despite fertile soil and water access, poor agricultural diversity, patriarchal food distribution, and a lack of infrastructure keep families trapped in food insecurity.

To address this, the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI) will launch a 12-month project to improve nutrition for 300 women farmer families across five villages in the Chipata region. These are communities where DMI already has an active presence through programs focused on women and youth empowerment. The initiative will form ten women’s farmer groups and train them in climate-smart agriculture, focusing on low-cost backyard gardens using drip irrigation. Families will grow vegetables like tomatoes, eggplant, cabbage, and cucumber, as well as fruit trees like mango, papaya, and guava—boosting both dietary variety and household resilience.

Fifteen demonstration gardens will be established across the five villages to showcase techniques, with materials and mentorship provided to each participating household. Families will receive seeds, saplings, drip kits, and farm tools, while cooking workshops will teach them how to prepare balanced meals using their own harvest. The project will be closely monitored through field visits, focus group discussions, and community feedback to ensure long-term success and adaptability. By empowering women farmers to grow diverse, nutrient-rich foods right in their backyards, this project aims to reduce malnutrition and improve household health—especially for women and children. It will also strengthen food security and self-sufficiency through sustainable farming practices. Project Budget: 50,000 USD

Funding Needed: 45,000 USD

Local Contribution: 2,000 USD

Community Contribution: 3000 USD (each family 10 USD), Time, Land, and Hard work