ECHO project providing food relief, building long term resilience for affected communities
By Elizabeth Kucherera
Molin Sungwayi (30) faced a daily battle that few could comprehend. Living in Nyamadzawo, ward 16, Mutare Rural District, she was in a cycle of severe gender-based vilence (GBV) and illiteracy due to an early marriage.
Married at the age of 14, union was fraught with her husband’s oppressive demands which left her feeling powerless and isolated.
Sungwayi’ s life was dominated by fear and dependence.
However, a glimmer of hope emerged when her family started to receive food vouchers under the food assistance program for vulnerable households in Mutare Districts, funded by European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).
The project in Mutare Districts is implemented by Care International Zimbabwe in partnership with Nutrition Action Zimbabwe (NAZ).
In a recent interview at Nyamadzawo village, Sungwayi reflected on her journey: “l was forced to marry a 60-year old man at the age of 14 by my late father.
“My father was an apostolic sect leader and they made an agreement with that 60 year old man who was also a church leader in our church. Due to our church doctrine l was powerless to defend my self.
“My first year in the marriage was a nightmare for me as my health deteriorated to the extent having a swollen stomach. My family and society assume it was pregnancy and it was so difficult for me because l fully knew that I hadn’t as yet started my menstruation cycle.
“A year after I started my menstruation and my swollen stomach healed, I got pregnant. I faced a lot of challenges whilst in marriage and I could not tell anyone except my mother, but she had nothing to offer for my problems since she was afraid of my late father,” she said.
Sungwayi said she opted to abandon her marriage and look for a general hand job in Mutare town.
“I left my child at my mother’s house without my father’s approval and started to be a house helper, earning USS$20 per month. It was better for me but it was nothing for a family of 10 members. Thanks to ECHO for making us one of the beneficiaries and bringing hope to our family”
Shingirai Saruchera, the team leader for Care International Zimbabwe, said that project started in January 2025 and is scheduled to end in July 2027.
“We are using the voucher system, riding on an already exciting register from the Department of Social Welfare and the district’s drought relief committee, and then produce printed out vouchers for each household
“In time of crisis there is gender based violence and it impacts negatively mostly on women. That is the protection piece we do through PADARE, a men’s group.”
The ECHO project is not only providing immediate relief but also working to build the long term resilience of affected communities.
