Thembelihle Mhlanga
The morning heat settles quickly over Lupane, rising off the dry ground that once supported thriving fields. Years of inconsistent rainfall and recurring droughts have transformed much of the area into hardened soil, leaving families who depended on small-scale farming with fewer and fewer options.
Among those affected are two children, a Grade 7 boy and his younger sister in Grade 4, whose parents left for South Africa earlier this year. With harvests repeatedly failing and casual work opportunities disappearing, the couple, here referred to as Bongani Sibanda and Siphiwe Ncube to protect their identity, joined many others seeking informal work across the border. Their children remained behind.
A Growing Humanitarian Strain
Teachers at a local primary school say the children’s situation is not unique. Several households are struggling as climate shocks push adults to migrate, often with no certainty of income once they arrive in South Africa.
“Rainfall patterns have become unpredictable,” said a teacher who asked not to be named. “Some seasons pass without proper planting. People here are exhausted and financially stretched.”
With no reliable support from their parents, the two children now rely almost entirely on the school feeding programme for food. They receive porridge at school and occasionally take a portion home for supper. Teachers say this has become common for children in similar circumstances.
“One can see the pressure these children carry,” another teacher said. “When they take leftovers home, it’s not just to save food, it’s because there is nothing else waiting for them.”
Staff members have created an informal support system, contributing small amounts of money each month to buy essentials such as soap, exercise books, and, when possible, used uniforms.
“We are doing what we can,” said a senior educator. “Climate change and poverty are creating new kinds of vulnerability, and schools are quietly becoming safety nets.”
Climate Impact on Rural Livelihoods
Rural communities in Matabeleland North remain among the worst affected by erratic rainfall and high temperatures. Agricultural officers and environmental experts have repeatedly raised concerns about declining crop yields, poor soil moisture retention, and prolonged dry spells.
A local councillor, speaking privately, said the situation has reached worrying levels.
“Families are splitting up because they have no stable income,” he said. “Most people leaving for South Africa expect to send money home, but the reality is harder. When they fail to secure work, communication stops — and children are left on their own.”
Before leaving, the parents of the two minors grew maize, sorghum, and groundnuts. However, in the past few farming cycles, poor rains and pest outbreaks wiped out their efforts. With no other livelihood options available locally, they joined the steady flow of labour migrants crossing the border.
A School Becomes a Safe Space
The feeding programme — supported by government and development partners — has become central to keeping children in school. Early each day, pupils queue for porridge or beans and sadza. Teachers say attendance usually drops sharply in periods when food supplies are delayed.
“For many pupils, this is their only meal,” said another teacher. “If the feeding stops, the impact will be immediate.”
Despite their circumstances, the two siblings continue attending classes regularly. One is described as quiet and reserved, the other more outspoken. Their teachers say school gives them structure and a sense of normalcy.
A parent-teacher association volunteer added:
“We try to help, even though almost every family here is struggling. Whatever small items we can share, we do.”
A Wider National Concern
Across Zimbabwe, agencies such as UNICEF have warned that climate-related poverty is driving higher rates of malnutrition, absenteeism, and child neglect. Experts say the country needs stronger long-term adaptation measures — including investment in drought-resistant crops, water harvesting systems, and expanded social protection programmes to prevent rural children from falling deeper into crisis.
A social worker based in Lupane put it plainly:
“Climate change is no longer just an environmental issue; it is reshaping family structures and exposing children to risks they are not prepared for.”
Resilience Amid Hardship
At sunset, the two siblings return to their small homestead, reheating the little food they carried from school. Their day ends quietly, much like it began, with the routine shaped by survival rather than choice.
“They remain hopeful,” said one of their teachers. “It’s their determination that keeps us going. Even with so little, they show up at school ready to learn.”
Their story mirrors a broader national challenge — one where drought, poverty, and migration intersect to place unprecedented strain on rural children. For now, the school, the community, and their own resilience form the thin line keeping them afloat.
