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Blessings Chidakwa
Herald Reporter
Amid the cholera crisis bedevilling the country, villagers in Musami area under Murewa District, Mashonaland East, have applauded the Presidential boreholes scheme for saving several lives in the area after numerous people fell victim to dysentery.
Several solar-powered boreholes were drilled in the area to avert the dire situation, moving in line with Section 77 of the national Constitution which provides that every citizen has the right to safe, clean and potable water.
With at least five Presidential boreholes having been drilled, coupled with nutritional gardens at St. Paul’s Musami mission environs, the community is on cloud nine as it is also engaging in horticulture.
Pregnant women at a local maternity waiting shelter and learners who had been turned into water scavengers walking long distances to fetch water sighed in relief as they are now accessing the precious liquid at their doorstep.
Prevail International Group contracted by Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) to drill a borehole in each village countrywide undertook the project.
A beneficiary, Mr Johanne Muruviwa of Ward 13, Chief Mangwende in Murewa was at a loss of words due to the kind gesture by President Mnangagwa.
“St Paul’s is 100 years old but has been facing acute water shortages. Last month we had dysentery affecting more than 100 learners, staff and teachers at both primary and secondary schools being admitted to the hospital.
“We applaud President Mnangagwa for giving us safe, clean and potable water. We were now fearing for the lives of our children especially exam classes due to the dysentery outbreak. Five boreholes are a lot,” he said.
Chairlady for Musami district Mai Madyira said there was a severe water challenge at the hospital.
“From mothers’ shelters, to maternity and labour wards, pregnant women would walk long distances to fetch water.
“As women, we no longer have the burden of fetching water. Villagers are also coming to access the clean potable water which they are now drinking, thanks to our President who is doing what many failed for years,” she said.
A youth Editha Shoko said as youths they will now engage in horticulture following the drilling of solar-powered boreholes and setting up of nutritional gardens.
“Since we now have readily available water, we are now engaging in farming horticulture products. The produce from the garden will be sold to the local community and the proceeds channelled to the school,” she said.
A cook at St Paul’s Musami Mission, Fungai Munemo also thanked the President for the drilling of the boreholes.
“Keep up with the vision of development and uplifting the lives of all Zimbabweans regardless of place. The availability of water will now help curb the cholera outbreak in our area,” he said.
Online Reporter