Balance For Zimbabwe: The Rimbi Farm Project

Contemplating change was a great first step, but never quite seemed to be enough.  After my first visit to Zimbabwe in 2006-2007, I realized that I was saying a temporary goodbye to a place that I knew was a catalyst for change in my life.  After much necessary contemplation and a second visit in 2009, I realized the depth of that change, and decided to dive in.  Through acceptance from the community, the conversations and the love I received, the Zimbabweans instilled something in me that I was incredibly grateful for and wished to reciprocate.

A Plan for a Sustainable Community

Now, with an immense amount of help and support through my experiences at the Youth Initiative Program, I have been able to sit down with the Chief of Rimbi and develop a plan for a sustainable community supported agriculture project.  

With the help of the Chief and Community Council members, families and individuals within Rimbi will be selected who are in the most need and would benefit from the harvest and, perhaps, the income that the farm yields that season.  The workers on the farm would be salaried in the same way.  

A Longing for Something New

In no way do I want to own a farm and settle permanently Zimbabwe.  This is not my goal.  My goal is to assist in initiating this project that really belongs to them, based off ideas that have the potential to awaken something in their community that realizes new possibilities.  

I recognized a longing for something new: something fresh to sink their hands into.  I recognized a restlessness living in the people: a wish to be busy with something they feel good about, and based off the excited responses I received when I delivered the project proposal to the 250 or so people gathered to hear it, they feel good about it, and they too, are ready to dive in.

Visit the Balance for Zimbabwe Project's Web Site