Combating poverty around Zinave National Park.

Gendergelijkheid.
Klimaatweerbaarheid.
Mens en Natuur.
Mozambique

In 2021, The Hunger Project started with Peace Parks Foundation a challenging project around Zinave National Park in Mozambique. The wildlife park is working hard to protect various species, such as elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, lions, leopards and hyenas. The protected animals are relatively good, but the people in the villages around the nature reserve live in great poverty. The area is remote and very dry, there are few basic facilities and many people are hungry. Because it is so dry, the locals can hardly grow food for much of the year. Many of them depend on what they can find in the park for their livelihood. That’s why we’re working with Peace Parks Foundation and the community on a better future. So that humans, animals and nature can flourish together.

Read how you can contribute to this project

Building a better future.

The Hunger Project works in 2 groups of villages at Zinave National Park: Malindile and Maculuve. With our proven approach In 8 years’ time we want to tackle the causes of hunger, improve living conditions and reduce the pressure on the natural environment. In addition, we lay the foundation for an equal cooperation between the community administration, the local government and nature conservationists.

At the start of the project, more than 50% of the people living in Malindile and Maculuve lived below the poverty line of $3 per day. That’s extreme poverty. Only 15% of households in Malindile and 23% in Maculuve had access to sanitation. And 67% of young people in Malindile and 64% in Maculuve had no education, job or access to any form of training.

For many people the park is the only way out: Without other income or food, they resort to poaching or illegal logging. The Zinave National Park can only flourish if the living conditions of the surrounding communities improve.

We started the project by setting common goals: how communities could tackle hunger and poverty without increasing pressure on the park. With our Vision, Commitment and Action workshops, the community built on (self) confidence: because change can only come about if you believe that a better future is possible and that you can do it together. From this trust, villages started building infrastructure, strengthening local skills and developing community leadership. This lays the foundation for communities that no longer have to lean on the park to survive.

António Abacar, Administrator of Zinave National Park

If people are well, the park is fine. Our work is 80% about communities and 20% about wildlife. The communities are the basis; they are crucial. Without them there would be no park.

What has already been achieved.

Since the start of the project in 2021, much has changed in the villages. People are actively involved, follow training, learn new farming techniques, find new ways to earn an income and unite in savings groups. Through common demonstration fields and example gardens people learn about new agricultural techniques and new crops. With this knowledge people then work at home themselves. And in workshops on food processing, they learn how to store food longer.

Agricultural techniques
People apply different climate-resistant farming techniques, such as plants in rows, cuttings, mulching and vegetable gardening. They also integrate principles of climate-proof farmers and nature conservation into their daily farming practice.
Earning and saving income
Through a small cattle pass-through program, food security grows and additional income is generated. Alphabetisation training and calculation lessons provide more knowledge, skills and self-confidence. Shops, market stalls and other small businesses are being set up to generate additional revenue.
Access to safe water
Since the start several water points have been built in the villages. Access to safe water improves hygiene, and allows agriculture and livestock to get on with their lives. Because women need less water, they gain valuable time to spend on education and entrepreneurship.
Fair position for women
Women clearly experience more control in their household thanks to the Women Empowerment trainings. They give their opinions at meetings and no longer wait for their husband’s decision. They seek healthcare themselves and give permission for diagnosis and use of medicines. They also feel more supported by their husbands in the household, getting water and caring for children.
Health care
In 2025 we started building a health clinic with delivery room: When it is ready, villagers will have access to essential health care.
Healthy nutrition
People learn how to store food, so that precious harvest is not lost. Training on healthy diets improve knowledge about health and a varied diet.
Changemaker Argentina from Malindile

In Malindile, a village next to Zinave National Park, agriculture yielded too little food and income for many people to live on. This was also the reality for Argentina and her five children for years. After participating in training in sustainable agriculture, she learned new techniques such as composting and natural pest control. By applying it, her country became more productive and tripled its harvest. As a result, her family now has more and varied food. The surplus sells them on the market, giving them a more stable income. This type of improvement makes people less dependent on the park for their livelihood, reducing the pressure on nature.

“If I can transform my life through knowledge and courage, then any woman can. Believe in yourself, take the first step and never give up.”

You can support this project.

This project in Mozambique is made financially possible by a group of foundations and entrepreneurs involved. They are part of the Game Changers network. There is still much work to be done in Mozambique, so we are constantly looking for new investors. Wonder what you can do?

Become a Game Changer too