Zimbabwe National Association for Mental Health Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Change Mitigation
Zimbabwe National Association for Mental Health Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Change Mitigation
1.1 Project Summary
The Tirivanhu Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Change Mitigation aim at restoring Tirivanhu Therapeutic Community?s (TTC) natural ecosystem and biodiversity which play integral role in the center?s therapeutic and skills training for people with mental disabilities as well as provide a solid base for socio-economic development and sustenance of both TTC mental rehabilitees and the surrounding Ruwa community residents. TTC natural ecosystems and the conventional water and energy supply systems have been severely impacted by global climate change and rapidly expanding Ruwa urbanisation and population. To arrest this negative environmental trajectory, the proposed intervention will conserve 15 hectares of TTC natural ecosystems (flora and fauna, forests, and water reservoir); adopt and install alternative water supply systems and renewable energy sources to sustain domestic, livelihoods and development projects. The project will strengthen existing livelihoods and development projects for mental rehabilitees and Ruwa community women and other vulnerable households. The wider Ruwa residents and stakeholders will also be sensitized and trained in climate change and sustainable development for women and persons with disabilities. This two year project will reach 120 mental rehabilitees and 160 households as primary beneficiaries and approximately 4000 secondary beneficiaries in Ruwa.
1.2 Organizational Background and Capacity to implement the project
Zimbabwe National Association for Mental Health (ZIMNAMH) is a registered welfare organisations (WO39/81) whose mandate is to promote mental health and advance the rights, treatment and rehabilitation of people with mental disabilities (Annex, 2). ZIMNAMH started operating in 1981. The organization envision a society where mental health is valued and managed with parity. The organization?s core activities include mental advocacy and lobbying, mental health support and rehabilitation, mental health education and training, and psychosocial support for vulnerable populations (persons with disabilities, women, and orphans and other vulnerable children)

ZIMNAMH owns and runs a community mental rehabilitation center, Tirivanhu Therapeutic Community (TTC) located on 40 hactare plot in Ruwa Goromonzi district (Annex 3). This community facility provides a comprehensive rehabilitation and life skills training for people with mental disabilities who are enrolled as referrals from the Department of Social Welfare, mental health hospitals, Zimbabwe Prison Services and other mental health institutions across the country.

The proposed project will be implemented at this facility targeting the TTC rehabilitees, community residents with mental disabilities, Ruwa community working group, TTC Hurudza group, TTC community nutritional garden members and the wider Ruwa community members. The organization and TTC in particular has been working with the above community groups (mainly composed of women, orphans, and vulnerable households (disabled and HIV positive individuals)

ZIMNAMH is a national membership driven organization with more than six thousand members. The organization is governed by a Board of Trustees elected at the Annual General Meeting for a term of 3 years (Annex 4, list of current ZIMNAMH board of Trustees). The organization?s secretariat has a staff compliment of 8 (headed by the National Coordinator) responsible for the day-to-day running of the program activities. The organization has a constitution and a policy procedures manual that provides specific administrative norms and standards (Annex 5).

Although the organization has limited past involvement in global environmental programs, it has a traceable record for successfully implementation of community funded programs both at TTC and at national level. At TTC the organization has horticulture and livestock projects which serve a dual purpose of income generation and livelihood skills training for rehabilitees. In addition there are two running community projects at TTC (community grinding mill and nutritional garden) funded by US Ambassador Self-Help fund and US PERPFAR grant respectively. The organization was also funded by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES Zimbabwe), Wellcome Trust, UKAID and UNICEF (see annex) to implement various community projects. In addition the organization has cordial working relations with working with officers from AREX, EMA, and Forestry Commission who has been providing technical support to TTC environmental conservation and agricultural activities. The organization is also prepared to work with SGP and related institutions with expertise on global environmental issues to build its capacity on conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
1.3 Project Objectives and Expected Results
? Problem statement or challenge the project intends to address
The global climate change and the rapidly expanding Ruwa urbanisation and population is exerting enormous pressure on TTC natural ecosystem and the overall mental disability programing for TTC rehabilitees and community members with mental disabilities. The uneven and reduced rainfall partner has negatively affected water availability at TTC and the surrounding Ruwa residents who rely on TTC clean water supply. About 15 hectares of the flora and fauna, agroforestry and a seasonal dam have been severely affected by the reduced rainfall, illegal farming activities upstream and siltation. The water table has also gone down that the current three boreholes supplying domestic and agricultural to both TTC residents and the surrounding Ruwa community residents are no longer coping with the demand. This has significantly reduced income and livelihoods outputs for TTC mental rehabilitees and more than 70 Ruwa community households who are direct beneficiaries of the TTC community nutritional garden.

Further, the rapidly expanding Ruwa town has posed a number of challenges to survival of the TTC forests and biodiversity. Due to erratic electrical power supply and high levels of poverty among the surrounding high density suburbs, the majority of people in the neighborhood are increasingly cutting down TTC trees for firewood and practice illegal farming to supplement household food. This has resulted in increased deforestation, elimination of flora and fauna and dam siltation. Thus TTC is being robbed of its forests, flora and fauna, water reservoir and more importantly its natural engrossing and therapeutic landscape both TTC residents and surrounding community members who used tour the facility for recreational and psychosocial revitalization.

TTC rehabilitation, life skills training and empowerment programs for persons with mental disabilities are similarly affected by both climate change and macro socio economic challenges the country is experiencing. For instance, the more than 80% of our constituency members, people with mental disabilities suffer socio-economic exclusion and discrimination, are unemployed and live in adjunct poverty. The proposed intervention will reduce a number of socio-economic challenges faced by the targeted persons with mental disabilities through improved wellbeing and functioning, food security, income, employment opportunities and overall inclusion in mainstream socio-economic activities.

? Overall project goal/primary objective
The overall goal of the project is conserve TTC natural ecosystem and biodiversity as well as promote the empowerment and socio-economic participation of persons with mental disabilities and other vulnerable Ruwa community members in environment conservation and sustainable development activities.
? Specific objectives
1. To conserve 12 hectares of TTC natural ecosystem (flora and fauna, forests, water reservoir and agro-ecology).
2. To adopt and install solar energy technologies to ensure adequate and reliable electric power for TTC domestic, livelihoods and sustainable development projects
3. To improve clean water supply for domestic, livelihoods and sustainable development projects at TTC and surrounding Ruwa community residents.
4. To increase community knowledge and awareness on climate change and sustainable development for women and persons with disabilities.

? Rationale/justification of the project
Nature is naturally engrossing, refreshing and revitalizing to humans and it has a wide range of measurable psychological, physiological, behavioral, social and economic benefits. Accumulating body of evidence show a very strong and positive link between natural biodiversity (nature-green vegetation, flowers, calm water and perhaps the presence of wildlife) and human health and wellbeing . Consequently, therapeutic landscapes and healing gardens are increasingly being promoted and established across the world to both enrich the natural environment and augment treatment and therapy by promoting healthy lifestyle, serenity, social interaction among patients, families, workers and the wider community members . Likewise, the proposed project aim restore TTC?s natural ecosystem and its therapeutic beauty to realize multifold environmental, health and socioeconomic benefits for TTC mental rehabilitees and Ruwa community residents

Studies in health care settings show that natural landscapes and gardens provide a broad range of promotional, restorative, and therapeutic benefits to mental health and human well-being. Both passive exposure to landscapes and active interactions with nature provide a range of mental, emotional, behavioral and physiological benefits for people with mental challenges that contribute to healing, recovery and socio-economic functioning. Research show that people often choose a natural setting to retreat when stressed and that their mood and wellbeing are positively impacted after spending time outside engaging with a variety of nature scenes . Other studies report the effectiveness of horticultural therapy in decreasing the levels of anxiety, depression, and stress as well as improving self-esteem and socio-occupational functioning among people with mental challenges . Green community landscapes such as parks also encourages physical exercises and social interaction both of which have numerous health and psychosocial benefits. For example, report by the Center Disease Control (2001) showed that creation of a park or open space led to a significant increase in residents physical exercising, greater enjoyment and satisfaction while another study showed that an exercise program can be as effective as antidepressants in reducing depression among patients . Thus enhancing TTC landscape has great potential for improving the mental and physical wellbeing of TTC mental rehabilitees and the surrounding Ruwa community residents.

Restoring TTC natural ecosystem and biodiversity will play an integral role in the social and economic sustenance of both TTC and the surrounding Ruwa community through the provision and exchange of various goods and services derived from the environment. To begin with, enhancing TTC landscape and biodiversity will promote eco-tourism (i.e. TTC has an open scape with ancient rock paintings) and socio-economic interaction between TTC and the outside world (see annex, TTC ecosystem pictures). This will reduce the prevailing myths, misunderstanding and social stigma associated with mental challenges. On the other hand, TTC mental rehabilitees will have numerous opportunities for socio-economic development through increased engagement with the outside world. Installation of solar energy system and an additional borehole and water storage tanks will ensure adequate and sustainable electrical and water supply for domestic, livelihoods and sustainable development projects benefiting both the TTC residents and the surrounding community members.

The proposed intervention therefore speaks to and contribute toward the realization of a number of SGDs including reducing poverty (SDG1) and hunger (SDG2) through opening new income stream (orchard, battery charging services and recreational facilities) and strengthening on existing livelihoods (horticulture and livestock production) respectively. Solar energy installation and borehole drilling and storage tank installation speaks to SGD7 (affordable and clean energy) and SDG6 (clean water and sanitation) while and the same time both act as mitigatory measures against climate change (SDG13, Climate Action). Enriching natural landscape has immense therapeutic benefits (SDG3, Good health well-being) for both TTC mental rehabilitees and surrounding Ruwa community residents. Three quarters of the project?s community beneficiaries are women (SDG5, gender equality) who are particularly targeted in livelihoods and empowerment activities. In addition the project is targeting and will be implemented with people with mental disabilities thus promoting their empowerment and participation in mainstream socioeconomic activities.

The proposed project will have a multifold remedy on the negative effects of climate and urbanization which have posed serious threats to TTC?s natural endowments and disability programs on the empowerment and socio-economic inclusion of persons with mental disabilities. The project will reach out to an estimated 920 primary beneficiaries (at TTC and surrounding Ruwa residents) and 4000 in secondary beneficiaries Ruwa and greater Harare population. ZIMNAMH has title deeds for the 39.9 hectare TTC land which is the project?s epicenter. TTC is situated in the country?s natural region 2 which has suitable climatic and edaphic conditions for the proposed varied range flora and fauna, forests and agro ecosystems which will play a critical role in the psychosocial, economic and ecological well-being of TTC mental rehabilitees and the wider Ruwa community residents. Community participation in the designing, implementation and monitoring of the proposed activities will ensure progressive and sustained realization of both short-term and long-term project goals.



1.4 Description of Project Activities

Table 1: Objectives, activities, outputs and outcomes


OBJECTIVE 1: To conserve 12 hectares of TTC natural ecosystem (flora and fauna, forests, and water reservoir).
Outputs Activities Outcome
Output 1:
12 hectares with significant ecosystems conserved

Indicators for planned actions:

3 hectares of areas reforested
5 hectares of enrichment planting
2 hectares of area on landscape gardening
3 hectares of orchard tree planting
120 community members trained on landscape gardening
4 community landscape gardens demonstrations sites established

Baseline:
Nil
Target:
? 12 hectares
? 4 community landscape gardens Open reforestation
Enrichment planting
Landscape gardening
Perimeter thorn trees planting
Orchard tree planting
Fireguard clearing
Landscape garden trainings
Community landscape garden demonstrations sites establishment and maintenance
Sustainable rich and therapeutic landscape

5. OBJECTIVE 2: To adopt and install solar energy technologies to ensure adequate and reliable electric power for TTC domestic, livelihoods and sustainable development projects
Outputs Activities Outcome
Output 2: adequate and cost effective solar generated electrical supply for domestic, livelihoods and sustainable development projects

Indicators for planned actions:
5.5 KVA off grid solar system installed
2 boreholes fitted with solar water pumping systems
2 solar installations secured against vandalism

Baseline:
? Nil
Target:
1 5.5 kva solar system installed
2 boreholes running on solar energy
? 5.5 KVA off grid solar system installation
? Installation of solar water pumping system on two boreholes
? Elect security fittings around the 2 solar system installations
? Battery charging services
Improved electricity supply for smooth running of domestic, livelihoods and developmental activities at TTC.

OBJECTIVE 3: To improve clean water supply for domestic, livelihoods and sustainable development projects at TTC and surrounding Ruwa community residents.
Outputs Activities Outcome
Output 3: Adequate clean water supply for both domestic and agro-ecology
Indicators for planned actions:
? One new borehole drilled
? Three new water storage tanks installed
? two hectares of drip irrigation installed
? ten hectares practising climate smart agro-ecology
Baseline:
? 2 running boreholes
? 2 water storage tanks
? ¼ acrea drip irrigation

Target:
2 Boreholes running on solar energy
2 hectares of drip irrigation
3 new water storage tanks installed
? Borehole drilling and installation
? Installation of 3 water storage tanks
? Drip irrigation installation
? Agro-ecological farming
? Climate-smart agro-ecology training Improved health, income and food security for TTC and Ruwa community residents

OBJECTIVE 4: To increase community knowledge and awareness on climate change, mental disability and sustainable development
Outputs Activities Outcome
Output 4: increased community knowledge and environment friendly practices
Indicators for planned actions:
4 community landscape gardening demonstration sites
6 school environment clubs formed
8 capacity building workshops
3 road show awareness campaigns
120 community members trained on land scape gardening
40 TTC staff, clients and community members trained as landscape garden trainers
4 teams of community landscape garden establishment and maintenance established
4 stakeholders dialogue and knowledge sharing meetings
Baseline:
Nil
Target:
Establish and maintain 4 community landscape garden demonstration sites
Establishment and training of school environment protection clubs
Run school clubs competition on environment protection concept development and implementation
Conduct road show environment awareness campaigns
World Environment Day commemorations
Capacity building workshops
Stakeholders dialogue and knowledge sharing meetings Adoption of environment friendly norms and practices
 

Project Snapshot

Grantee:
Zimbabwe National Association for Mental Health
Country:
Zimbabwe
Area Of Work:
Biodiversity
Climate Change Mitigation
Grant Amount:
US$ 50,000.00
Co-Financing Cash:
Co-Financing in-Kind:
US$ 24,750.00
Project Number:
ZIM/SGP/OP6/CORE/PWD/2020/01
Status:
Satisfactorily Completed
Project Characteristics and Results
Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
All key stakeholders will kept abreast of the project goals, activities and results through knowledge sharing platforms which include stakeholders workshops, project feedback meetings and reports, commemorations and other public events, community awareness campaigns and active information dissemination via electronic media (website, facebook, twitter and bulk messaging.)
Notable Community Participation
Although the project target the general population, youth will be specially targeted in some of the activities such as awareness raising, livelihoods and income generation project to ensure generational continuity of the project vision and objectives
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SGP Country office contact

Ms. Tsitsi Wutawunashe
Phone:
263-4-338846/44
Fax:
(263) 700946
Email:
Luckson Chapungu
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Address

P.O. Box 4775
Harare, AFRICAN REGION, 264-4-