Global Sustainability Story submitted by Gillian Ndlovu of Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe
Like this GSS? Connect with Gillian on Instagram @gillow_mandlo or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-n-972a8083/.
In 2020, I completed my Master’s degree in New Zealand and eagerly headed back to Zimbabwe (my home country) hoping to secure a good paying job and get my career off to a great start! Alas, the universe had other plans. I arrived home to a lockdown and a sky-rocketing unemployment rate. With every sunrise, I couldn’t help but witness the saddening effects of Covid 19. Much more economically devastating in Zimbabwe as compared to the developed country I was coming from.
I live in Bindura, a mining town located in the Mashonaland Central Province of Zimbabwe. It is the province’s capital and, thus, a hub of activity as people flock in search of gold and other mineral deposits. This has contributed to the town’s rapid urbanisation. Sadly, such movements have led to overpopulation, unemployment and extreme poverty leaving many people food insecure. Hence, the Covid 19 pandemic significantly aggravated the situation since it led to disruptions in the food value/supply chains. There was a shortage of wholesome foods such as essential grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables. With an Agribusiness qualification; this situation was my call to serve and forge a sustainable solution to this problem.
With the help of the Ban Ki-Moon Centre for Global Citizens, Project_BLISS was born. BLISS stands for Bolstering Locally-grown towards an Innovative and Sustainable Society. It brings local communities a one-of-a-kind experience that empowers future young leaders and their immediate communities to participate towards the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)! This project is a hands-on educational movement that nurtures children and their parents/guardians into proud sustainability stewards by actively encouraging them to innovatively grow fresh vegetables & fruits for healthy diets. The thrust of Project_BLISS is to initiate the establishment/refurbishment of school orchards and urban agriculture e.g., kitchen gardens at home.
Gillian Ndlovu, Project_Bliss, 2023
With zero experience, I had to learn the length and breadth of developing and implementing a sustainable development project from scratch. I admit it wasn’t and hasn’t been an easy journey, but it is one that I look back at and I stand amazed at the impact made; not single handedly but through strategic partnerships which I would love to write about later. Till date I have reached more than 9 000+ locals through the programs I run under the BLISS banner and have even won a World Bank award for this work. I still look forward to advancing my career and getting that good paying job at a Fortune 500 company, but my greatest success is that of leading from the front in the fight against poverty, food insecurity and climate change. If your community is in dire straits and faced with similar challenges; then this story is for you. May sustainability choose you today just like it chose me.
Connect with Gillian & Project_BLISS!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-n-972a8083
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bliss-locally-grown
https://instagram.com/gillow_mandlo?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
Project_BLISS in action completing field work, 2023, Gillian Ndlovu
Gillian Ndlovu
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