Chronicle Editor
Wilbrought Ndlovu, Sunday News Reporter
THE Mzola-Dandanda community in Lupane District, Matabeleland North Province last Wednesday celebrated the successful completion of a number of projects in the area which include the drilling of six solar-powered boreholes and construction of a new classroom block.
The projects that were implemented under the Amalima Loko initiative are aimed at improving the livelihoods of rural communities.
The Amalima Loko is made up six organisations — ORAP, CNFA, Dabane Trust, International Medical Corpse, Mercy Corps and Menace Group, all working towards fostering development and empowerment in Matabeleland North.
The programmed is funded by USAID and is now in its fourth year operating in the province.
Amalima Loko chief of party, Mr Dominic Graham said every year they meet to celebrate “Amalima Day” where the community notes the successes that have achieved through the facility which has gone a long way in uplifting the community.
“Today was a thrill to me, there was a really positive energy around with different community groups who are working on things as diverse as health nutrition and gardening.
“There were two different types of certificates awarded which were a borehole completion certificate, so as to acknowledge the work that has been done towards getting new water assets and the other certificate was to celebrate the achievement of voluntary groups as there was a particular focus today on the health club which are groups coming together to improve sanitation facilities at health level,” said Mr Graham.
Amalima Loko deputy chief of party, Mr Nqobile Ncube said since starting the programme in 2020, they have been working on a number of projects that range from health nutrition to water shed management, natural resources management and also community visioning.
He said they do community visioning with the community deliberating on their strengths and aspirations, after which they come up with priority projects.
“When they have got those priorities they then find whoever is willing to work with them to achieve those dreams. What happened with this community is that they sat down with their plans which they consolidated into ward action plans and with water as one of the issues that they wanted to address.
“They thus decided that they wanted to develop a gully reclamation and also another priority was that of having a school with the community, as they did not have one. We were able to meet them halfway where we came and drilled boreholes and set up a water rein raff for livestock and installed solar to the boreholes. We also taught them how to maintain those assets,” said Mr Ncube.
Speaking on behalf of Chief Menyezwa, Kheswa village headman, Mr Mletheni Kheswa extended his gratitude to Amalima Loko and the people of the community for their hard work in helping in the development of the community.
“Amalima has done a great work and we are thankful to it. They managed to place a water tank for easy access of water as this place is a bit problematic when it comes to water. On behalf of the communities I would like to thank the Amalima Loko for being there for us and providing us with the borehole so that we get easy access to clean water,” he said.
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