Chronicle Editor
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
THE Nkayi diaspora investment Indaba held in Bulawayo yesterday saw the local community rallying to raise funds for the construction of six schools and clinics in the district.
The event, hosted at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, brought together businesspeople and various stakeholders from Nkayi District.
Diasporans actively participated in the proceedings via live streaming on the Nkayi Rural District Council (RDC) social media pages. The indaba aimed to promote community investment-driven initiatives and showcase opportunities in Nkayi, which is rich in natural resources like timber, coal and gas. The meeting also sought to foster unity within the Nkayi community.
During the first session, representatives from six schools and clinics outlined the challenges they face. A collective total of US$81 000 is required to improve public health services in the district where three clinics are at different stages of construction.
Tsheli Clinic serves 3 400 villagers and needs US$28 000 to complete an outpatient ward, build staff cottages, and erect a perimeter fence. At the Indaba, participants donated 20 bags of cement, river sand, and US$355 towards the project.
Mjena Clinic, which will serve 3 352 villagers, requires a block for a consulting room, treatment room, and pharmacy. Additionally, six toilets and staff cottages are needed to make the clinic operational. A total of US$26 500 is needed to complete the project. The fundraiser received 22 bags of cement, US$50, and an undisclosed number of bricks from an overseas-based donor.
At Kwesengulube Clinic, 1 500 villagers will benefit from health services when the clinic is completed, as the nearest health facilities are about 20km away. The clinic requires US$26 500 to build an outpatient ward, staff cottages, a perimeter fence, and a borehole. Donations included US$750 and 10 bags of cement.
On the education front, three schools — Sombengo Primary School, Gonye Secondary School and Dakamela Secondary School — received investments for various construction projects totalling US$113 690.
Sombengo Primary School needs US$33 500 to finish an Early Childhood Development (ECD) block, furnish it, build staff cottages, and complete a toilet block. Donations of US$450, textbooks, and 20 bags of cement were received.
Gonye Secondary School is seeking US$23 190 to build two classroom blocks, staff cottages, and 10 toilets. The school received 73 bags of cement, reading books for the library, a football kit, and US$300 during the Indaba.
For Dakamela Secondary School, which caters for 252 learners, US$57 000 is required to construct and equip a science laboratory. The school received a generous donation of laboratory stools, 5 000 face bricks, textbooks, reading books for the library, and 10 bags of cement.
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