Water urgently needed in drought-affected Zimbabwe

31 January 2025

“For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.” – Isaiah 44:3

“Water is life,” remarked Reverend Mutudza, a church leader in a farming community in Zimbabwe.

His words resonate deeply. Last year, Southern Africa endured one of its worst droughts in decades, a catastrophe that has become all too familiar across the region.

In Zimbabwe alone, the impact has been catastrophic. With rainfall levels plummeting, crop yields were devastated, leaving farmers with no harvests to sustain themselves or their families

Reverend Mutudza, pictured last year with his maize. The ground is parched, and already the roots of the plants are dying. By harvest time, the crop had failed

In some areas, yields dropped by as much as 80%. The loss of crops means not only empty stomachs but also diminished income for farmers, who depend on the land for their very survival.

In Zimbabwe, more than seven million people were left facing food insecurity. Their lives and livelihoods continue to be threatened by this unrelenting dry spell.

Yet, even in the face of such devastation, the power of water has emerged as a ray of hope.

A life-changing impact

Barnabas Aid project partners are working to install solar-powered boreholes that will offer a vital supply of clean water for drinking, washing and growing crops.

With Barnabas funding, one borehole is already in operation. This enabled the cultivation of 10 hectares of maize.

The maize grown through Reverend Mutudza’s ministry provides sustenance for over 1,000 orphans and approximately 470 caregivers across four orphanages. But without your generous support, this work cannot continue.

In many parts of Africa, crops have failed because of persistent drought. Can you provide urgently needed water for our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe? [Image credit: RDNE Stock Project]

In the heart of Zimbabwe, the land is dry,
The wells run low, the earth can’t deny
But together we can bring life once more,
A borehole’s hope, a thirst to restore.

With every drop, a future grows,
A lifeline to villages, as it flows
Let’s unite and give, take a stand,
For a better tomorrow, with water in hand.

Our project partners are planning to expand their efforts. They urgently need additional boreholes to ensure reliable water supply for the entire 10-hectare maize field. This will allow for the installation of a drip irrigation system, which is vital for consistent crop production, especially as droughts become more frequent.

Your contributions will help this community to access sustainable water sources, giving them the means to continue cultivating the land, replant their crops, and survive in the face of adversity. Water will bring them not just irrigation for their crops but also the vital element for life – hope.

Your generosity transforming lives

Your generosity can transform lives, provide hope, and build resilience.

As Reverend Mutudza says, without water, life is unsustainable. With your help, life in Zimbabwe endures, one drop at a time.

This is not just aid; it is a lifeline that enables communities to thrive.

Can you donate to provide life-giving water to our Zimbabwean brothers and sisters? Will you pray for success and for the Lord’s gracious provision in Zimbabwe, and elsewhere in drought-affected parts of Africa where – God willing – we hope to fund similar projects? 

Together, we can ensure that no one goes hungry and that communities are empowered to thrive despite the challenges they face.

How we can help

We thank you for your unwavering support and for walking alongside us in this mission to transform lives through faith, compassion and action.

One hundred gifts of £15 ($18; €16.50) could purchase one solar-powered water pump

£100 ($120; €110) could cover the cost of drilling 10 metres deep

£250 ($300; €275) could pay for 10 metres of casing for the borehole

£500 ($600; €550) could cover the full cost of drilling the borehole (average borehole depth is 50-80 metres)

Related Countries

Zimbabwe