To address the needs of pastoralist Ovazemba communities in Otjiyandjamwenyo village in Namibia, facing recurring droughts with loss of livestock, The Marginalized Mirror supports culture-led, gender- responsive planning and implementation of regenerative agriculture. Knowledge sharing sessions on vermicompost, crop rotations, permaculture and drip irrigation were organised. A vegetable garden was set-up and managed by women and youth, producing organic healthy food. The project champions indigenous people’s rights for self-gover- nance, independent decision making, and peer-to-peer learning. Working with community leaders, this initiative provides daily meals to orphans, the elderly, and disabled individuals.

 

Climate impact
Planted 36 trees and installed a 1080 kWh solar energy supply to reduce CO2 emissions.
Uses drip and hydroponic irrigation techniques.
Integrates local, culture-led pest management practices and soil enrichment with vermicompost.
Gender impact
Women are involved in all decision-making processes, from design to monitoring and evaluation.
Integrates income opportunities for women via value-added activities, project management and financial literacy training.
Uses a 60:40 women-to-men work plan and established a gender-based code of conduct.
Scalability/replicability
Developed a community-based resource management manual that can be replicated.
Employs a “train-the-trainer” and peer-to peer learning approach.
Engages with policymakers and government agencies to protect and promote Indigenous People’s rights.