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Tendai Rupapa in Kanyemba
EDUCATION is a critical enabler of economic growth and prosperity and the Doma community in the Zambezi Valley has begun to embrace it.
The community was previously reclusive with education not being part of their day-to-day living. Most of the community members neither have national identity documents nor birth certificates. However, targeted projects spearheaded through the First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa’s Angel of Hope Foundation are gradually improving their well-being. During her interactions with the Chikunda-speaking community, Amai Mnangagwa urged them to take education seriously.
In Mariga Village, few children used to attend a makeshift school, but the number of school-going children has since increased, with 352 children now enrolled at Mariga Primary School. Government is currently constructing a new school in the area after interventions by the First Lady. Elderly villagers in the area are now willing to enrol for adult education. Mrs Itiwe Vadiwe, who does not know her age and has eight children, said she never went to school. Of her eight children, only three are going to school.
Another villager, Mrs Senzeria Kamayamba — a mother of four — is also willing to take up adult education.
Amai Mnangagwa, who is the Health and Child Care ambassador, also facilitated the construction of a community health post in Mariga last year. Mashonaland Central acting provincial medical director Mrs Elizabeth Manjonjori said Mariga health post is assisting the community.
“I would like to applaud the First Lady for the developments done for the Doma people, one of them being the construction of a health post in Mariga Village, which was handed over to the community in July last year.
“Due to regular visits to the health post, there is improved personal hygiene such as grooming, nail care, bathing, dental care and pre-natal care among the community.”
Mrs Manjonjori said in the past, the community lacked health education, especially on family planning.
“Child spacing is now being done using long-term methods; hence, they are now practising family planning following teaching sessions at the health post.
Angel of Hope Foundation also introduced sustainable projects such as sewing, knitting and cooking in the same village. Various sporting activities — modelling and cooking competitions — were conducted yesterday, bringing life to the Doma community. A 14-member community band, Orchestra Kwazvo, which uses home-made instruments, provided entertainment.
Online Reporter