By Trevor Makonyonga
Humanitarian aid agency, World Vision, has a prioritized the provision of safe water among the most vulnerable children and communities.
In a press release, World Vision said that they were accelerating efforts to make sure that safe water is made available to everyone in the country.
“Although thousands of vulnerable children and poor families are still in need of safe and clean water as communities in Zimbabwe continue to experience the impacts of climate in addition to the aftershocks of COVID-19, World Vision Zimbabwe has made huge strides in this sector with the help of its partners.”
The Christian humanitarian aid agency also said that with the partnership of the government, they have provided water to some communities.
“As government, cooperating partners and civil society organizations celebrate this year’s World Water Day with the theme “Valuing Water,” World Vision Zimbabwe wants to take time and celebrate how many communities are enjoying the “Value of Water in its Multiple Uses” as a result of the generous support of its many partners. Together, we have made water available in sufficient quantities transforming communities and contributing to their health, education as well as economic benefits,” read the release.
World Vision Zimbabwe WASH Technical Advisor, Morris Chidavaenzi added that his organization had accelerated access to water through help from local and international partners.
“We are grateful to our local and international partners. Together, we have accelerated access to water and hygiene enabling facilities. Together we have leveraged our resources and demonstrated sustainable impact whilst deepening and extending our reach to the most vulnerable children in Zimbabwe,” Chidavaenzi said.
Showing the impact of World Vision’s efforts, Dorothy Manjokoto a water point committee member in the Chiramba village of Chimanimani gave an update of how things have changed since the intervention of World Vision.
“We literally leave the drip system watering our gardens while we focus on the children at home, the cattle dip is filled in minutes because the tap is right there and I can carry my own water for my household chores without bothering my young children because it is now so near!”
World Vision has worked in Zimbabwe for over 45 years, implementing development and humanitarian assistance in health, education, water and sanitation and strengthening livelihoods among poor households and communities. After governments, World Vision is the second largest provider of clean water in the region.
During the period 2016 to 2020, World Vision Zimbabwe provided access to clean drinking water to over 900,000 people, drilling a total of 157 boreholes fitted with a hand pump in schools, communities and health facilities.
Additionally, the organization repaired/rehabilitated a total of 1,967 non-functional water points. World Vision also supported the establishment of 151 mechanized solar powered water supply systems linked to several water collection points within the communities.
Finally, to encourage the full participation and access to education of the girl child, World Vision is also focused on the establishment of girl friendly latrines in schools for Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM). Between 2017 and 2020, a total of 17,640 girl children from 168 schools have been reached through the construction of girl friendly latrines.
