The first steps have been taken in the project “Women’s Empowerment through the Establishment of a Tree Nursery and Food Forests in Ngamiland, Botswana.” In Xhoo Village, a small and remote community near Maun, on the edge of a wildlife concession in the Okavango Delta, a new chapter is beginning.
This project directly aligns with our mission: Let’s create a greener, happier and healthier Botswana together…By supporting women in agroforestry and food production, we contribute to food security, income generation, and ecological restoration. These first steps in Xhoo therefore go beyond local impact, they represent a concrete move toward a healthier planet and resilient communities, exactly what we stand for.
Life in Xhoo is simple, but also vulnerable. Reliable sources of income and employment are scarce. Most families depend on livestock farming and the collection of natural products, leaving many households facing poverty and food insecurity.
Since 2021, Re Jala Peo and Mmila Mela, have been working together to support the development of Xhoo. Our focus is on strengthening women through structure, skills, and small-scale income-generating activities.
In 2024 and 2025, women from Xhoo and Moeti participated in Katja’s intensive 15-week Women’s Empowerment Workshop. During this program, they discovered their own talents, built self-confidence, and learned the basics of entrepreneurship, budgeting, and saving. This period laid the foundation for their shared ambition: establishing sustainable, income-generating initiatives.
One of the former participants is Maggie. An important milestone has now been reached on her farm. With the support of our partner Mmila Mela, a rainwater harvesting system has been constructed, a major step forward in an area where the dry season can last up to six months. The system consists of a sturdy structure made from specialized garden sheeting and a smart drainage system that collects rainwater and channels it into storage tanks.
The construction required patience. Many materials had to be sourced from South Africa, and delivery was delayed due to the holiday season. But the system is now fully installed and ready. We are eagerly awaiting the next rainfall to fill the tanks. Once that happens, Maggie will have enough water to continue working on the tree nursery throughout the dry season.
There is also good news regarding the planting. Letso has already collected and delivered 130 of the planned 250 cuttings to Xhoo. These include indigenous, fruit, and medicinal tree species. They form the heart of the tree nursery and the foundation of the future food forest. Maggie’s women’s cooperative can now begin nurturing and growing the young trees. In about six months, they will be ready for sale as well as for planting in the Re Jala Peo food forests.
This is only the beginning, but a promising one. With water, trees, and strong women, Xhoo is growing more than just a nursery. It is cultivating hope, knowledge, and a sustainable future. 🌱
