BEST LIFE

Inspiration

Our Refugee settlement is located in a remote area in the Eastern part of Zimbabwe ,in a region with low rainfall that has been severely impacted by climate change. According to the updated UNHCR database in 2023 ,there are 21000 residents in the settlement ,with only pump source of water supply, making water scarcity a major challenge for its inhabitants.

Limited access to water and irrigation methods has hindered the camp’s ability to grow fresh produce and maintain food security. Our community tend to rely on vegetables and fruits from the surrounding communities ,which are often expensive.

Due to this large number of people in our community , water supply has been rationed, leading to an increase in diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid fever, dysentery and cholera (The TRC clinic recorded 29,20 and 23 malaria cases in weeks 12,13 and 14 of 2021 respectively.)The water scarcity also affect animals in the community(MASANGO ET AL).People may quarrel and fight over water ,negatively impacting our community both economically and in the health sector .

What it does

To address this issues , our project aims to tackle water scarcity and improve agricultural sustainability in our community through the implementation of wicking beds. Privileged to attend a workshop of agroecology in January looking situation in our community got by conservative Agriculture managed to construct 2 wicking beds at my place .Wicking beds are an innovative gardening technique that reduce water usage and runoff by drawing water from a reservoir and delivering it directly to the plant’s roots .This system minimize evaporation and runoff ,allowing crops thrive with less water. In the context of our community ,wicking beds offer an opportunity to grow fresh produce while conserving water mitigating the effects of climate change. Within 3 months ,we aim to install 55 wicking beds in our settlement.

How to construct it

MATERIALS NEEDED: Plastic pipe/ PVC TUBING,SOIL,MULCH,HOE,PICK,SHAVEL,PIPE JOINT

Step 1: Dug a hole of 1x2m Step 2: Install the liner.Line the inside of the whole the water resistant liner, making sure it covers the bottom, sides and overflows and inlet holes. Step 3: Place a layer gravel or rocks on the bottom of the container, covering the bottom and overflow hole Step 4: Insert the pipe or PVC tubing vertically into the dam ensuring it reaches the other length(put holes on the length side) Step 5: Inset plastic on top level on the garden then put soil and mix compost Step 6: Plant your desired seeds ,space plants for proper growth.Water your garden by filling your reservoir pipe until water start to flow out other hole.Add a layer of mulch to help return moisture and suppress weeds.

Budget

Budget on Constructing one wicking bed:

• Plastic = (1x2m)^2= $4.40
• Pipe = 1.5= $1.50
• Seeds = $0.5
• Pipe joint = $1
• Total = $6.95

NOTE: Some materials are commonly found in the community, for example hoes.

Challenges we ran into

Accomplishments that we're proud of

What we learned

Gaps in implementation

Access to these materials might be limited or expensive due to our geographical location, additional community members might need assistance in building and maintaining wicking beds properly.

Although wicking beds are a great solution for a small scale gardening ,they might not be effective for larger scales agriculture.

What's next for BEST LIFE

Our goal is to install 55 wicking beds in the first month targeting communal gardens and household individuals and 300 in 2nd month.

Firstly will mobilize people in each section and conduct educational trainings on Wicking bed, demonstrations will be done in each section to teach community members how to build, install and maintain wicking beds. For example composting, organic way to enhance wicking bed also planting herbs, legumes, mixed farming method and cross pollination.

These educational activities will emphasize the benefits of wicking beds and promote water conservation as well as our wicking beds more sustainable by keeping soil fertility.

Businesswise, if construct a wicking bed with $6.95, you will produce double if not triple from one garden either vegetables or fruits.

In our community, we wish to collaborate with partners like Local NGOs for instance World Vision Ensure (focus on livelihoods),UNHCR ,local farmers (each farmer is given a portion of land in our community), government agencies and businesses.

Team

Emmanuel Kabongo: Digital Operator, Farmer, Activist Vimbai Marcia Chigori: Student at Great Zimbabwe University, doing a Bachelors of Arts in Development studies, Youth leader in Humanitarian Action, Activist

Built With

• engineering