Peter Tanyanyiwa
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Herald Correspondent
A LONG-STANDING water crisis at Zimbabwe Children’s Hope Foundation (ZCHF) school in Chitungwiza has been resolved following the sinking of a borehole, bringing relief to over 300 disadvantaged pupils and extending critical support to the surrounding community.
The project, spearheaded by Chitungwiza Municipality Proportional Representation councillor, Cde Betty Jasoni, was completed earlier this week under the ZCHF initiative, in collaboration with local leadership, international partners and Government stakeholders.
ZCHF is a school dedicated to supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged children from Chitungwiza and beyond, working closely with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to address a wide range of social challenges affecting learners. These include assisting pupils to obtain birth certificates and other essential documentation, as well as facilitating access to social protection services.
For years, the school operated without reliable access to safe water, forcing pupils and staff to rely on distant and, at times, unsafe sources, a situation that disrupted learning and exposed children to health risks.
Commissioning the borehole, Clr Jasoni said the intervention was deeply personal, rooted in her upbringing and commitment to giving back to the community.
“My childhood taught me the value of sharing, and today I am giving back to my roots. It brings joy to my inner self,” she said.
“I was raised with love and sharing, and I am happy to share what I have with those who need it most. Today, I have shared that love with those who need it most. I am also grateful to our President Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, who continues to preach the gospel of leaving no one and no place behind.”
She described access to clean water as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone for sustainable development, adding that leadership had a duty to safeguard the dignity and wellbeing of learners.
“As leaders, we must ensure that no child learns under conditions that compromise their health and dignity. This borehole will serve not only the school, but the wider community, especially during periods of water shortages that frequently affect Chitungwiza,” said Clr Jasoni.
The initiative was implemented in partnership with local ZANU PF structures, with additional support from the humanitarian organisation Tzu Chi Foundation.
ZCHF founder Mr Onias Alfasi said the development marked a turning point for the institution, which has endured years of hardship due to water challenges.
“This is more than just a borehole, it is a restoration of dignity for our learners. Reliable access to clean water will improve sanitation, reduce absenteeism caused by waterborne diseases, and create a more conducive learning environment,” he said.
He added that the school’s collaboration with Government and development partners continues to uplift vulnerable children, ensuring they are not excluded from education due to socio-economic barriers.
The commissioning ceremony was characterised by jubilation, with pupils and community members singing and ululating in celebration of what they described as a life-changing intervention.
Clr Jasoni reaffirmed her commitment to mobilising resources for further infrastructural development in Chitungwiza Municipality , with education, water and sanitation remaining top priorities.
“This is only the beginning. We will continue engaging partners and stakeholders to deliver sustainable development projects that uplift our communities,” she said.
The borehole project underscores the growing importance of public-private partnerships in addressing service delivery gaps in high-density urban areas such as Chitungwiza.
With the new water source now operational, the ZCHF school is poised for a turnaround, strengthening its role as a centre of hope for disadvantaged children and a pillar of support for the broader community.
Online Reporter