The project is in its infancy and has just started harvesting produce. The beneficiaries are expected to start benefitting this term as their school fees, stationery and school uniforms will be provided through revenue realised from the project.
CCDZ projects officer, Vellim Nyama, said the aim of the project was to help keep orphans and other vulnerable children in school. At this initial stage, children who had lost both parents and vulnerable children in critical economic situations would be considered as beneficiaries. Rural government primary schools charge $20 fees per term.
“In the interest of transparency and fairness, beneficiaries will be selected by school authorities and the traditional leadership. The nominations will give reasons why the candidates are deemed eligible for the project.
“This term, some 100 children from schools such as Chitate, Magaya and Zhombe Primary Schools will have their school requirements met by the scheme. The number of beneficiaries will increase to over 2,000 as the project grows,” explained Nyama.
Chicken runs constructed at the project site can accommodate over 3,000 birds. The project started with 1,000 chickens, now in the early stages of egg dropping. CCDZ harvests an average of 900 eggs per week. The chickens are expected to lay for more than 18 months and the eggs have found a ready market both in Harare and around Murewa. A crate of standard size eggs sells at $5 while clients ordering in bulk get a discount. Depending on the egg size, for bulk buying of 10 crates and above, prices would range from $3 to $3.90 per crate.
The vegetable crop gardening project is practiced on a 1.5 hectare plot, where a variety of vegetables is grown, depending on the season.
“The first vegetable harvest is due soon. Like the egg project, vegetables would be sold around Murewa and at markets in Harare,” said Nyama.
He said the project also helped create employment for locals at both construction and operational stages. The local community would also have free access to clean water drawn from two boreholes at the site. Electricity power connections to the chicken runs have been set up, which could later be extended to surrounding homesteads.
CCDZ Director, Philip Pasirayi, said the project, begun last year, was partly a gesture of appreciation and plough back initiative to the community which had nurtured him. He did his primary education at Magaya School and went on to obtain a Doctorate in International Development from Oxford University.
“Several factors contributed towards siting of the project at Magaya Village. CCDZ continues to enjoy good relations with the local community and we saw every reason to help improve the welfare of orphans and other vulnerable children. We also plan to help fight challenges faced by youths in the district,” said Pasirayi.
The project was not without challenges. Paranoid politicians fearing effects of the popularity enjoyed by the project, reportedly approached the local district administrator’s offices and claimed that the project was as a result of Pasirayi’s political ambitions as future Member of Parliament for Murewa North. He denied these suggestions.
“The project was as a result of my love for the vulnerable child. I am more comfortable as a non-partisan community development worker than a politician. Politics would hinder my humanitarian activities, as I would eventually lose touch with the intended beneficiaries and other stakeholders. Should I venture into politics, my humanitarian initiatives would be viewed as partisan and consequently fall victim to dirty political tricks,” said Pasirayi.
He said his hands were clean and challenged other stakeholders to join forces with him in the community development initiative, rather than misdirect valuable energy on trivial issues and undevelopmental village gossip. “Relevant government departments would also be welcome in this regard,” he said.
Excited villagers told The Zimbabwean that they were pleased with CCDZ’s poverty alleviation initiatives. “Pasirayi is a son of the soil and as a community, we would do everything possible to support his developmental initiatives. His orphan and vulnerable children benefitting programme is more transparent than the government funded Basic Education Assistance Module, BEAM, which remains corrupt ridden and benefits only a few,” said Nelson Nhiwatiwa of Magaya.
Post published in: News