A survey by this paper revealed that most residents were taking part in the Food for Work programme and getting assistance from NGOs in form of vouchers to purchase food. In an interview, residents mostly from high-density suburbs such as Hunyani, Mupata and Chikonohono hailed the NGOs, saying the programme has given them hope as they can now afford to access basic commodities such as soap, salt and cooking oil.
Mike Mukuwapasi, 33, said that apart from benefiting from the programme, the Food for Work programme had changed the face of the town. “We really thank the NGOs for coming to our rescue. We are now able to meet some of our basic needs such as food,” he said. The programme is being carried out in Chinhoyi urban wards two and three and five, as well as the satellite town of Alaska and Shekleton. Residents, mostly widows and unemployed youths, receive a US$25 voucher from the NGOs. The programme has also been hailed by many environmentalists for giving the town a new facelift and protecting against pollution.
Residents have joined hands to clean areas such as libraries, the bus terminus and clinics while the NGOs have supplied equipment. Mercy Corps and CADEC are only some of the NGOs involved in the programme.
Post published in: News