The article discusses the Sustainable Energy for Health Facilities and Surrounding Communities Programme (SE4HF) implemented by UNICEF and the Ministry of Health and Childcare in Zimbabwe, with support from the Government of Sweden and the Health Development Fund. The program aims to improve healthcare for women and children in vulnerable communities by providing sustainable energy solutions to health facilities in four districts of Zimbabwe. It includes the installation of solar systems in 30 health facilities to ensure a reliable power supply for essential services like vaccination cold chains and maternity wards. The initiative addresses the challenges posed by unreliable electricity, especially during the rainy season, and is seen as a critical step in enhancing the quality of health services in rural areas.

The article discusses the introduction of the 'Tsotso' cookstove in Gokwe South District, Zimbabwe, as part of the Sustainable Energy for Health Facilities and Surrounding Communities Programme (SE4HF). This initiative, supported by the Ministry of Health and Childcare in partnership with UNICEF and funded by the Government of Sweden, aims to provide a sustainable solution to environmental degradation caused by deforestation for firewood and to promote financial independence for women. The fuel-efficient cookstoves are made by local women who have been trained by UNICEF. The article highlights the positive impact of the cookstoves on the lives of community members, such as Petunia Chinyama, who has turned cookstove making into a profitable business, and a grandmother who finds the stove efficient and helpful in keeping food warm for her grandchildren.

Jephiter Tsamwi, Advocacy and Communications Manager for Adeso, discusses the organization's role in pioneering cash transfer programs in Somalia and the broader region. Despite spending over $75 million on such programs between 2010-2021, Tsamwi notes that poverty and donor dependency persist in Somalia. Adeso is advocating for a revolution in the aid system, emphasizing the need for sustainable, community-driven, and coordinated interventions. Tsamwi outlines five key lessons from Adeso's experience, including designing for sustainability, limiting cash transfers to short-term use, improving coordination among partners, ensuring local participation, and transitioning to more sustainable solutions. The article also touches on the challenges of donor dependency and the potential for corruption within cash transfer programs.