Chikukwa was hit by Tropical Cyclone Idai in 2019. The cyclone left the watershed bare and tracks of erosion. For villages like Rujeko and Kubatana, the destruction was not just environmental but a threat to their homes, food, and their way of life.

The path to recovery has been paved in a simple but effective way of planting trees. With funding from GEF SGP, CELUO has led a remarkable community effort to restore the damaged landscape. More than 12,000 trees have been planted in the villages of Rujeko and Kubatana, with the sole purpose of breathing life back into the land.

The initial planting was a success, but the team knew that one phase was not enough. The project has now moved into its second phase, expanding the scope of the rehabilitation.

This strategy shows the project's deep understanding of the community's needs. The trees will bind the soil together with their roots, preventing further erosion during the next rainy season. They will provide shade, restore natural habitats, and, in time, offer a sustainable source of firewood and timber, reducing pressure on the remaining natural forests.

Perhaps the most heartening sign of success is the return of the water. The springs in Rujeko are showing signs of life again. The flow is stronger and clearer. The young trees, by improving the soil's ability to absorb and hold rainwater, are slowly recharging the underground aquifers that feed the streams. The connection is clear: where there are trees, there is water.

The GEF funded project is changing the way people farm and live. Through its livelihood initiative, farmers have embarked on the concept of agroecology. They are no longer using chemical fertilizers but organic materials.

Under this initiative, the project has provided farmers with a range of new opportunities, including fisheries, poultry, rabbit keeping, goat rearing, and beekeeping.