Rodas de Conversa
Drawing on Bandla — a cultural practice of collective dialogue and decision-making — NGUNI hosts Rodas de Conversa (Conversation Circles) that enable communities to openly examine the impact of HIV and identify locally driven solutions.
Food Production
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Climate-resilient food production for women-led households: NGUNI develops and shares practical food production methods adapted to environments with scarce water and irregular rainfall, prioritising low-cost solutions that strengthen women’s control over household nutrition and food security.
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Soil moisture conservation and container gardening: Women are trained in container gardening and mulching (soil moisture conservation) — using dry grass or weeds to retain soil humidity, reduce evaporation, and increase yields with minimal water, while lowering labour demands.
Nutrition and Preventive Health Education
NGUNI strengthens family and community health through an integrated approach to nutrition, WASH education, and household-level prevention. We host community workshops, food preparation demonstrations, and home visits that promote safe hygiene, nutritious diets, and preventive health practices, using locally available resources.
Local women with traditional and practical knowledge lead many of these sessions, reinforcing community ownership, dignity, and peer learning, while ensuring that nutrition and hygiene messages are culturally grounded, practical, and sustainable.
Livelihoods and Animal Husbandry
As part of its gender-responsive food systems approach, SISSIMUKA supported women-headed households through small-scale livestock production, including pigs, ducks, rabbits, and chickens. NGUNI provided initial livestock, facilitated vaccination and animal health support, and promoted improved feeding practices through agricultural extension services. Families contributed labour and locally available materials to build animal shelters, strengthening ownership, household nutrition, and sustainable income generation.
Results
NGUNI currently supports 92 households, reaching approximately 490 people, of whom nearly 320 are children under the age of 15.
Strengthening Food Security and Livelihoods
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For the last three years (2023-2025), 27 households have received annual agricultural inputs, including 5 kg of maize seed, 2 kg of beans, and 7 kg of groundnut seed, to support household food production.
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In 2025, livelihood diversification was expanded through small-scale animal husbandry:
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7 households received pairs of piglets,
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13 households received hens and ducks,
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2 households received pairs of rabbits.
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in 2025, Nutrition, Care, and Community Engagement
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45 women caregivers regularly participated in Rodas de Conversa, nutrition education sessions, and food preparation demonstrations.
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3 Support Group and Community Adhesion members received emergency support in food and transport costs to access hospital care.
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58 adolescent girls engaged consistently in weekly gatherings and structured activities, strengthening peer support, life skills, and protective networks.