Piped water for Masekera community

Fungai Lupande

Mashonaland Central Bureau

The recently commissioned Masekera piped water scheme in Guruve, valued at $43 000, has significantly improved access to potable water for over 200 households.

Charity Water, a United States-based Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO), funded the project while Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH), a German-based organisation, was the implementing partner.

Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Christopher Magomo commissioned the scheme.

Minister Magomo said the project marks a significant achievement in national efforts to ensure that clean water is accessible to all citizens.

“Efforts to bring water closer to homes symbolise the Government’s commitment to improving public health and the quality of life for its citizens,” he said.

“The provision of clean water through the Masekera piped water scheme aligns with NDS 1’s approach of leaving no one and no place behind.”

Minister Magomo said access to clean, potable water will help reduce the incidence of waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea.

The chairperson of Guruve District’s water and sanitation subcommittee, Mr Finch Mholo thanked the development partners for their hard work and dedication.

He said the development has brought joy to local villages.

Mrs Muchaneta Mushonga said the water scheme will help reduce cases of gender-based violence and family disputes.

“We used to see incidents of gender-based violence stemming from suspicions of infidelity when women took too long to return from fetching water. Now that water is available at our doorsteps, those issues will become a thing of the past,” she said.

Mr Godfrey Chireru, the District Information Officer, said the Masekera piped water scheme is one of eight similar initiatives that were funded by partners in the district.

Since its inception in February last year, WHH has rehabilitated 78 boreholes, drilled 36 new ones, and constructed several state-of-the-art toilets that are friendly for girls and people with disabilities in various schools.