Thabiso Nxumalo
Dialogue on Shelter for the homeless Trust (DOS) is on a drive of uplifting lives of vulnerable communities in Masvingo, to date having disbursed over USD $91800 and lately secured funds for outstanding Garikai community projects.
Minutes from the full council meeting held on March 28, 2022 revealed that DOS which operates under the established Masvingo Urban Poor Fund has secured funds for equipping an existing borehole with a storage tank and solar power amongst other projects in the Garikai community.
“Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Housing and Social Services, on the activities of Dialogue on Shelter for the year 2022. It was reported that the alliance had secured funding for the completion of Garikai Pay Toilet, equipping one existing borehole with solar pump, storage tank and renovation of an additional hostel at Mambo Hostels with five improved toilets and water points,” read part of the minutes.
DOS also pledged to continue giving loans to solidarity groups and complete the Tanaiwa water and sanitation inventions which consists of 22 toilets and water points and turning homeless communities into savings schemes.
“The DOS and Zimbabwe Homeless People’s Federation will continue giving loans to solidarity groups in Masvingo, the fund has so far disbursed USD $91800 to 715 members organized in 135 solidarity groups.
“Tanaiwa water and sanitation inventions which consists of 22 toilets and water points at Tanaiwa hostels will be completed and Zimbabwe Homeless People’s Federation will continue mobilising the homeless communities in Masvingo into saving schemes,” the minutes read.
City of Masvingo agreed to explore ways for the possibility of making contributions towards Urban Poor Fund so as to motivate the donor to provide more assistance.
This move by the DOS a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) comes at a time when government of Zimbabwe is in the process of discussing the Private Voluntary Organization (PVO) Bill which most Zimbabweans feel will shrink the civic space and as a result take away NGO benefits from the general public.
Garikai housing scheme was commissioned in 2005 after government launched the widely condemned operation Murambatsvina, a forced eviction programme which saw the demolitions of homes and informal businesses around the country’s major cities and towns.
