…pumps more than US$ 200k towards safe and clean water provision
Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI-Christian Care has rescued Chiredzi communities in both the communal and resettlements from the devastating effects of climate change as they recently installed piped water schemes for six administrative rural wards aimed at benefitting more than ten thousand people who have been walking distances at night in search of the precious liquid.
Christian Care, in partnership with UK Aid, UNICEF and the government of Zimbabwe recently bailed out communities in resettlement areas as well as communal lands of Chiredzi through its ‘Zimbabwe Climate Adaptation Water and Energy Project’ (CAWEP).
The partnership saw installation of piped water schemes in Manhekwe, Crown Range, Nyavasikana, Lisimba and Emobeni where villagers have been walking several kilometers in search of the precious liquid.
Speaking during the handover of the projects to the communities recently in Manhekwe, Assistant District Development Coordinator (DDC) Gift Machukele said the installation of the piped water scheme is part of the government’s vision 2030 of becoming an Upper Middle Income economy.
Machukele also said it is a constitutional right for every citizen to have access to clean water, which they have managed to do through partnerships with Christian Care.
“We would like to thank our partners who have made this a success. This is part of our road to vision 2030 of becoming an Upper Middle Income economy. I then challenge you as the community to take extra care of this project as it is no longer Christian Care’s project but yours.
“Would you like to get back to a scenario where you would walk long distances at night in search of water? We have managed as government to invite our partners to provide you with safe and clean water as it is enshrined in the constitution that it is every citizen’s right to have access to clean and safe water,” said Machukele.
Ward 32 councillor Aspect Mashingaidze also applauded the programme and said it has alleviated challenges the communities have been facing as well as brought relief to schools which were heavily disturbed by the lack of boreholes.
“We had major challenges in schools where there were no stand-alone boreholes ever since their establishment. Every morning children’s first duty was to fetch water from nearby boreholes, where they would compete with elders and this delayed their learning as they usually get back to school at around break time.
“It is also a blessing to the villagers who were walking approximately two kilometers to a nearest borehole which was in a bushy area, where they could not go during the night. This has brought civilization to our communities and also there is little need for repairs as compared to the bush pumps where we would make some repairs every year after rainy season,” said Mashingaidze.
Christian Care Projects Officer Webster Kuhuni also urged the communities to take extra care towards the upkeep of this project.
