Working together with the Anglican Church Diocese of Ruaha, the IMARIKA project operates deep within the Kilolo and Iringa Vijijini districts of the Iringa region. In these remote areas, many families struggle with severe poverty, isolated from government services, and hampered by recent droughts. 

But where there are challenges, God’s church sees opportunity. Using the Bibles as our foundational guide for community restoration, the IMARIKA project has successfully reached 16 villages, uniting 1,019 members across 24 localized groups to build a brighter, more resilient future.

Seeds of Growth: Environment & Entrepreneurship

The word Imarika means “to be strengthened” or “established” in Swahili, and that is exactly what is happening on the ground. Through holistic training, our community groups are simultaneously tackling environmental care and financial independence.

• Restoring the Land: Climate change and dry spells have hit local crops hard. In response, our groups have established vibrant tree nurseries, nurtured 16,172 seedlings, and planted 47,268 trees on local farms to restore the soil and protect the environment. 
• Sweet Success in Beekeeping: Our apiary initiatives are buzzing! Across 317 active beehives, villages are harvesting liquid gold. The community of Kisinga alone recently harvested 1,800 liters of honey, providing families with a powerful new stream of income. 
• Sustainable Home Solutions: Groups are actively being trained in conservation agriculture and the manufacturing of efficient, potable wall stoves to reduce deforestation and improve health outcomes at home. 

The Power of VICOBA: Breaking the Cycle of Poverty

At the heart of the IMARIKA project's economic success is VICOBA (Village Community Banking). These community-led savings and loans groups allow members to pool their resources, build capital and invest in each other's dreams.

The numbers speak for themselves. Across the completed 12-month cycles, our community groups managed a collective total of $452,355 in transaction value. Furthermore, a shared social fund managed to allocate $427 specifically to care for the most vulnerable, including elderly community members and orphaned stutdents.

In Their Own Words: Stories of Impact

Your support isn't just funding line items on a spreadsheet; it is fundamentally changing lives. Here is what your generosity looks like in action:

Oscar Kikoti's Story

After accessing two successive VICOBA loans, Oscar successfully launched a brick-making business. With his earnings, he built a sturdy two-room home for his family. He also invested in livestock – starting with 30 chickens and 3 roosters – and has grown his flock to 130 chickens today.

Jasmine Mhalu's Story

Jasmine took a loan of $1,335 to invest in a rice farming venture. Thanks to a bountiful yield and her business management skills, she has finished building a modern house and is happily paying the school fees for her three children.

Ester Changa's Story

With an initial loan of $135, Ester planted a sunflower pot. Her hard work yielded more than 35 bags of sunflowers, generating enough profit to achieve a lifelong dream: sending her daughter to college.

Moving Forward with Faith

While we celebrate these milestones, the work is far from finished. Droughts continue to threaten crops; bad roads make village access difficult during certain seasons, and a growing number of neighbouring villages are eagerly requesting to join the project.

As we look ahead to the coming year, our goals are clear:

• Strengthen existing groups to permanently reduce dependency
• Launch four brand-new groups in underserved villages
• Gather all group leaders for a strategic general meeting to share best practices
• Continue expanding our tree planting and environmental conservation training

Thank you for Your Support!

We are profoundly grateful to you, our dedicated donors. Your financial support and prayers are the fuel behind the IMARIKA project. Together, we are equipping the local church to serve its community, restore the environment, and lift thousands out of poverty.

Want to help us plant more trees, build more beehives, or launch the next four VICOBA groups? Consider donating today! Donate to IMARIKA Iringa