Thanks to the generosity of SEED's supporters, we are helping two more villages to establish their own sustainable woodlots. The first has already been planted and the second is planned for this month. The two will be in villages about 10km apart, in the same region as the woodlot that we helped to plant in 2012. (continues)

SEED is delighted to publish a free lesson plan that aims to help pupils explore the meaning of Lent and how this season can be used to help others.

The lesson plan includes photocopiable resources and a powerpoint presentation. It was developed by a primary school teacher, Lizzie Halestrap, who was inspired by SEED's annual Small Change Challenge. (continues)

As part of celebrations to mark last month's National Tree Planting Day, SEED partnered with the City of Harare to help convert Greengrove Recreational Park into a Bird Sanctuary.

As a result of the decline in Zimbabwe's economy, the 22-acre park had been neglected and had become a site of illegal dumping. (continues)

As the end of the year draws near, we can celebrate recent progress on three projects:

1. "Mukando" micro-savings scheme: A year ago we launched our first micro-savings scheme. Since then, our group of 25 savers have succeeded in raising $5,323 (£3,395)! This was generated from initial contributions totalling $940 (£600), which was dispersed to group members as loans to finance a range of projects, including horticulture, raising chickens and livestock, and general commodity broking. (continues)

Ten years ago, Ruth spent six months in Zimbabwe. The SEED project was beginning and Ruth loved that she could help. She loved it so much that she wanted to go back. In July 2013 Ruth started volunteering for SEED, managing their accounts. Later, when organising a trip to South Africa, her holiday plans developed into something more. (continues)

Last year SEED partnered with the Department of Social Welfare and Victorious Learning Institute (VLI) to deliver a seminar for secondary school students highlighting the dangers of drug abuse. We talked then about the possibility of using our experience in skills development with the group. We are excited to report that this hope has now been realised. (continues)

'Lions and Rhinos and Snakes' Oh, my!

Ever run a marathon? How about running a marathon every day for a week? Or 100 marathons in 100 days? Now, how about doing that in the heat of Africa, encountering wild animals, giant insects and scorpions. And camping out somewhere new each night. That's what Emma Timmis is doing right now. (continues)

Can you imagine running 4,328km coast-to-coast across Africa for charity? That's what one volunteer fundraiser is preparing to do for The SEED Project: a marathon-a-day for four months!

In 2011 Emma Timmis was the first woman ever to run from Durban to Cape Town along a 2,400km route called the Freedom Trail. (continues)

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