adminsupport that the Junior Chamber International Zimbabwe is receiving.
Mr Harada said this while addressing delegates at JCI “Nothing But Nets Campaign” launch at the end of his three-day visit to the country.
The JCI “Nothing But Nets Campaign” is a partnership between JCI Zimbabwe and NetOne that is aimed at reducing the impact of malaria in the country through raising money to buy mosquito nets for distribution countrywide.
The initiative is part of a worldwide effort by JCI International to help eradicate malaria by 2015 in line with Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
“I was impressed by the level of corporate and Government support JCI Zimbabwe is enjoying.
“I met Government ministers, who all expressed support for the activities of JCI Zimbabwe, and confessed to me that they regard JCI in high esteem.
“Most importantly, I am happy that the Government of Zimbabwe recognises the role that JCI Zimbabwe can play in bettering communities, and especially in attaining the Millennium Development Goals,” said Mr Harada.
He added that JCI Zimbabwe is attracting corporate partners to work together on key issues such as the eradication of malaria through the “Nothing But Nets project”.
“I am honoured to have witnessed this occasion where one of Zimbabwe’s leading companies is declaring its commitment to corporate social responsibility, and I believe in the young people of this country, inasfar as attaining positive change is concerned,” he said.
Mr Harada also urged other business and civic organisations to follow NetOne’s example and create positive change in the country.
He indicated that he was also briefed on previous projects that JCI Zimbabwe carried out, including the JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons of Zimbabwe.
He encouraged the winners of the competition and other youths to work on creating a positive change in the country.
NetOne technical director Mr Dzimbanhete Matavire said that the nets would be initially distributed to rural areas after which critical areas in the urban areas would be identified.
“NetOne feels honoured to be part of this noble cause,” said Mr Matavire.
Mr Harada said that the project could take time but is achievable and it would have a huge positive impact in Zimbabwe.
Malaria is the leading cause of deaths among children under the age of five years.
At least 52 of the country’s 62 districts are designated malaria-prone areas with 26 of them being high malaria epidemic areas while over six million people in the country are at the risk of contracting malaria every year.
As part of its corporate social responsibility JCI Zimbabwe is also supporting the Felly’s Orphanage in Mbare, which consists of a group of women who came together to take care of the orphaned children.
Mr Harada handed over foodstuffs worth hundreds of dollars to the orphanage, whose stocks were precariously running down.
The head of JCI said he would always remember the hospitality of the people of Zimbabwe and the commitment its young people had to the future of the country.
JCI Zimbabwe is a voluntary organisation of young active citizens aged between 18 and 40 years, who run community projects to create positive change in society.
Online Reporter