We visited the Mashua community, north of Chokwé, to see how Vukoxa was helping the elderly grandparents caring for vulnerable children there. Three years ago, as part of an Egmont-funded project, Vukoxa installed a water pump to irrigate the crops of the local community. Each grandparent is part of a collective, working the mashamba or garden and collecting a portion of the produce. We heard how the water pump has greatly increased their productivity and currently comfortably supplies 18 acres of farmland.

This simple, low-cost intervention has completely transformed the community’s livelihood. As well as producing enough diverse crops to feed the collective, there is also a significant surplus. This year the Mashua group produced nearly 11 tonnes of beans and hired 250 workers from nearby communities to harvest the produce. The profit was enough to purchase a motorbike, 6 cows, seeds for re-planting, and books and school essentials for the children in their care.