For 13 years, Lucia Kasiyiwa, a young woman from Shamva, worked in artisanal mining, an extractive livelihood that did not only degrade the environment around her home, but exposed her to unsafe mining practices. Her turning point, was a life-threatening experience when the ceiling of a mine she was working in collapsed on her.  The experience forced her to reflect deeply on the toll mining was taking on her life, her family, and the environment. Today, Lucia’s story stands as a powerful success story of transformation under the support of the Institute for Young Women’s Development, where she shifted from mining to farming and is now contributing to food security and environmental protection in her community. Lucía shared her journey with other young women and women during the IYWD Annual Seed Fair held at Siyalima Farm in Guruve. The Seed Fair is a learning and exchange platform where young women farmers come together to share indigenous knowledge, farming experiences, and practical solutions for sustainable agriculture. Through peer learning, participants exchange ideas on agroecology, seed preservation, climate-smart agriculture, and organic farming methods that protect the environment while strengthening food security. The gathering also highlights the importance of conserving local seeds, protecting soil health, and promoting environmentally friendly farming practices that restore rather than exploit the land. By bringing together women from different districts, the Seed Fair creates a collective space where knowledge is passed on, environmental stewardship is strengthened, and young women are encouraged to become champions of sustainable livelihoods in their communities.

Lucia’s transformation began in 2018 when she joined IYWD. Soon after, she joined young women small holder farmers who participated in a joint learning and partnership visit to the Zimbabwe Small Holder Organic Farmers’ Forum in Mashava, Masvingo Province. The visit was life-changing for Lucia. At the learning exchange, the participants shared knowledge about agroecological farming practices. They shared various organic and climate resilient seeds. Inspired by the deep insights of organic farming methods  and benefits of seed local seed preservation made her turn against going back to artisanal mining. She  decided to join the movement pursuing environmental protection while creating sustainable livelihoods. Reflecting on her past, Lucia explained why she chose to make the change.

“I was damaging our mother earth, and the mining activities we were performing were so unsafe. Every day I went down into the ground, I couldn’t help but think if I would make it up again to hug my children goodnight.”

Today, Lucia is among young women and women in our agriculture and food value chains. She produces maize and vegetables which she processes into dried vegetable that she sells all year round. Her efforts are already producing tangible results. 

“I can now afford to pay school fees for my children and meet other needs in my home,” she shared.

She is also among the young women engaging in robust advocacy against devastating mining activities that have unjustly evicted people from their homes. Her activism calls for regulated mining that uphold environmental protection regulations and is done in ways that are safe for local miners and workers. 

Shifting from mining to farming, not only improved Lucia’s family’s livelihood but also gained her time and stability to take on leadership roles in her community. She was elected as secretary of the School Development Committee at Bushu Primary School, in Shamva district. She also served as one of the Chief’s advisors and a para-legal advancing women’s rights in the traditional court systems facilitated by IYWD. Through these positions, she continued to raise awareness about environmental protection and promote organic farming methods. Her influence is still inspiring change in Shamva. 

“Lucia has motivated many young women to leave artisanal mining and embrace agriculture value chains. She has been educating the community on the threats mining  poses to the environment and the need for proper regulation of miners, both local and foreign in the district,” said Patience Makaza, a young woman from Bushu area in Shamva district who witnessed Lucia’s shift from mining to farming.

Lucia’s contribution also aligns with global and national efforts to strengthen food security. According to the Committee on World Food Security, food security means that all people have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food at all times. 

Lucia’s journey demonstrates how women are key actors in strengthening food systems and environmental stewardship. Her story also reflects IYWD’s goal of Strengthened Environmental Care, showing how empowering young women with knowledge and opportunities can transform livelihoods while protecting the environment. What began as a decision to leave a dangerous livelihood has now become a movement of change in Shamva. Through agroecology, leadership, and advocacy, Lucia Kasiyiwa is proving that when young women are supported and resourced, they do not only transform their own lives, they inspire entire communities to transform and build sustainable futures.