David Tambwe-Seed Cohort 2023-2025

During my SEED placement, I served at Fruitful Harvest Zimbabwe, a farm and community-focused ministry located in Nyamandlovu, Matabeleland North, along the Victoria Falls Road, about 90 km from Bulawayo. My work exposed me to different agricultural and community development activities. Fruitful Harvest has several farming projects, including cattle, goats and sheep, pigs, chickens and ducks. I had the opportunity to learn how these projects are managed and how agriculture can be used not only for production, but also for serving communities.

One of the important parts of the work was seeing how the farm connects with surrounding communities. Through initiatives such as the Egg-a-Day programme, food distribution, support to schools, mobile library activities, holiday clubs, church planting, and donations, I saw how practical farming can become a tool for ministry, education, nutrition, and community support.My day-to-day experience involved learning, observing, assisting where needed, and understanding how a faith-based organisation can combine agriculture, service, and community development.

Through SEED, I learned that agriculture can be more than a business. It can be a platform for community transformation. I gained a better understanding of livestock management, poultry production, community outreach, and how faith can be integrated into practical service. Personally, I grew in responsibility, humility, and appreciation for teamwork. I saw that development work is not about one person doing everything. It requires different people contributing their skills, time, and resources toward a shared purpose.

I also learned that service must be practical. Loving your neighbour is not only something we say; it can be shown through food distribution, school support, care for elderly people, outreach activities, and creating opportunities for others. One meaningful moment for me was seeing how the work at Fruitful Harvest was not just about farming, but about people. The projects were connected to real community needs. For example, eggs from the chicken project were not only a farm product; they were part of the Egg-a-Day programme that supports children in schools.

The impact I saw was both practical and spiritual. Through the Egg-a-Day programme, children in schools were being supported with nutrition. Through food distribution and donations, vulnerable groups and community members received assistance. Through the mobile library and holiday clubs, children and young people were exposed to learning, encouragement, and positive activities.

I also saw impact through relationships. Fruitful Harvest was not working in isolation from the community. It was connected to schools, churches, elderly people, pastors, and outreach activities. This showed me that real community development is built through trust, consistency, and long-term presence.My SEED experience helped me understand that when agriculture, faith, and service come together, they can become a powerful tool for hope and transformation.