68% of the Manica Province population (1.943.524 citizens) lives in rural areas, as emerges from a feasibility study carried out by local partners.
The main income-generating activities are those linked to traditional agriculture, but often the latter is carried out in an incorrect manner (monoculture, abuse of synthetic products) with consequences on the health of the people and on the productivity and sustainability of natural resources. The main causes are linked to the lack of competences and the difficulty to access resources of vulnerable groups and marginalized people. The aim of the project is the improvement of the quality of life of the poor and marginalized living in rural areas, particularly those affected by leprosy and/or disability, with most attention to women. The response of the project will be in terms of technical assistance, training local medical staff, awareness and health education campaigns, which will contribute to the improvement of the district health services, simplifying access to determined resources in order to sustain productive activities at a small scale, conducted at community level. Moreover, some income-generating activities and actions of social inclusion are expected, to enhance the self-help groups.