Tikhazikitse Circle, with 16 female and 5 male members, is a village savings and loans association (VSLA) in the community. The group sometimes struggled to manage their expenses. Consequently, the group members began farming to expand their sources of income to meet their needs. Because the broader village community focuses on cultivating corn, beans, and Irish potatoes, there is a high demand and low supply of various vegetables in Mpalale and its neighboring communities. To optimize their profits and fill a much-needed nutritional gap, Tikhazikitse Circle wanted to plant diverse crops beyond corn, beans, and Irish potatoes. The community desired to guarantee the fiscal and environmental sustainability of their new farm work, which would be achieved through investment in a solar irrigation system. Mieke and the community made their plan, which involved renting new land and installing an SF2 solar water pump, a high-efficiency tool that creates the optimal environment for most vegetables. The Tikhazikitse group was then able to cultivate six new, quickly growing types of vegetables. Mieke was also able to plan and assist with numerous training sessions for the group which was necessary for technical skill building, business skill building, and team building. Training sessions focused on cooperative agriculture, group dynamics improvement, olericulture (farming and production of plants for the intention of consumption), and SF2 solar pump operation.

To successfully execute this project, the Tikhazikitse Circle group appointed Latiya Kamwaza, the group’s secretary, as the project leader, and village headmen to serve as legal authority to settle any potential disputes between the group and other project stakeholders. Tikhaziktse Circle group members provided both in-kind and monetary contributions to the project that were procured through microloans. The community was lucky to have Ms. Mmangitsa, an agriculture extension worker (who checks on the project’s sustainability and provides available government resources), and Mieke co-facilitated the above-mentioned training sessions. Together they worked to ensure that farming occurred sustainably and properly, and that important business decisions were made as a group. The beneficiaries were highly invested in the success of this project as they saw the potential betterment of the community through its implementation.