“These clubs are instrumental in fostering sustainable peace by building community cohesion, tolerance and a culture of volunteerism in the community,” said HZT, a non-profit organisation promoting peaceful co-existence.
HZT has so far set up one such initiative, Birchenough Bridge Peace club in Ward 33 of Buhera South, which was one of the worst affected districts in previous elections.
The trust partnered with Devuli High School to repair a road that links the local school and the community. The initiative has been hailed as a sign that local communities are uniting towards community development and peaceful co-existence.
Birchenough Bridge Peace club was formed last year and, according to HZT, it has “contributed significantly to peaceful co-existence in the Buhera South constituency.”
The club has also rehabilitated the Devuli irrigation scheme by constructing canals and pathways at the project.
“The club’s target of the irrigation scheme is informed by its importance in sustaining the local community’s livelihood. This stems from the club’s community conflict analysis which identified the threat to livelihoods and food insecurity as a cause of conflict in Ward 33 and the broader district,” said HZT in its bulletin.
It said the initiative had been warmly received by traditional leaders and the majority of stakeholders in the community.
HZT has been holding peace building workshops in various parts of the country at which peace club members, the clergy, chiefs, village heads and the police participated.
“During deliberations, it was noted that most conflicts that emanate from communities is usually perpetrated by chiefs and village heads, albeit making them crucial stakeholders in conflict resolution. “On their part, the traditional leaders said they needed education on cases that fall within or outside their jurisdiction. This would help them deal with the right cases and pass the rest to the police,” said HZT.
Post published in: News