By Itai Muzondo
The Tokwe – Mkosi hit maker, Caleb ‘Ras Caleb’ Tareka in collaboration with Junior Chambers International Zimbabwe (JCI) have launched a US$370 000 project which will see the construction of a primary school for Tokwe-Murkosi flood victims.
JCI Public Relations Officer, Paidamoyo Mafunda confirmed the development saying the project is already in course and they have also engaged government in the development activities at Tokwe-Murkosi.
“I can confirm that we are working on the project and it is in full swing. We approached government on how we could help and a range of problems including food, healthcare and education arose for which we decided to chip in with providing an educational facility,” Mafunda said.
“Minister Shuvai Mahofa has given us land at Chiwumburu farm where the flood victims are being moved to for the construction of the school. The US$370 000 project will definitely be a success and it will be a state of the art facility,” she said.
“The former Reserve Bank Governor , Gideon Gono also donated a brick moulding machine worth ZAR25 000 for the project to move on so I can safely say we are up to achieving the project,” said Mafunda.
Ras Caleb said he was happy to be involved in the project and said he never expected that the message he was bringing across through music would gain such attention.
“I am pleased to be involved in such a striking and helpful project at a time I least expected that my message about the Tokwe – Mkosi disaster through music would have such an impact for the nation as whole.
“The other interesting thing about the project I was engaged in with JCI is that it is not spoon feeding the victims but employing them as they are involved in the school construction for available payments. Through the project we also wish that by the completion of the project that the general populace would have acquired different skills which will help them to make an income for living in life,” said Ras Caleb.
Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Shuvai Mahofa said she is proud to be working with such innovative and productive young minds and promised to help them in any way possible.
“I am proud to be working with such innovative and productive young minds. I was surprised to see that they had already engaged the locals in moulding 160 000 bricks which I will help them ship from where they are to Chiwumburu farm where the flood victims are being resettled. I have also made land available for their project so that the villagers will have an educational facility constructed for them,” said Mahofa.
JCI Zimbabwe is an international based youth based organisation that aims to provide to provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change.local
