In a development that is set to inspire diaspora-homeland
co-operation, a group of Zimbabweans from across the world, have joined hands
to rehabilitate roads in the area under Headman Mzilawempi.
The initiative has seen the roads starting from Tengwe
River to Mutambarika through Magudhu and starting from Tengwe River to Magudhu
through Nyarumwe, being rehabilitated.
Also being rehabilitated is the Magudhu to Mukonori road,
measuring 70 kilometres.
As a result of the poor state of the road, travel and trade
had been severely affected with people walking or using scotchcarts to cover as
much as 30km to the nearest point accessible by truck.
The worldwide group used the money they raised to source fuel and to pay the
drivers of graders that were availed by Hurungwe Rural District Council through
the efforts of the local legislator, Cde Cecil Kashiri.
The initiative, dubbed Pakare Pano, links diasporans with
locals and their leadership.
Communication is being done through a WhatsApp group, which
is bridging the distance between those who are implementing the project, the
local community and those in the diaspora.
United Kingdom-based Mr Stanley Munikwa teamed up with his
friends and those who hail from Hurungwe to undertake the project with plans to
identify more areas of need.
“I am in the UK and we joined hands together with others
who are here and in countries such as South Africa. We were joined by other
dedicated people who are in Zimbabwe,” he said.
“We pooled resources and we used the money to buy fuel
after which we engaged the local MP, Mr Cecil Kashiri who helped source graders
from Hurungwe RDC. We also paid the drivers.”
Rehabilitation of the roads measuring about 30 kilometres
are now complete, bringing relief to villagers as some parts were difficult to
navigate.
Hurungwe district development coordinator Mr Andrew Tizora
said the initiative provided a template for improving communities which should
be emulated.
“There is a very noble initiative that is currently
underway in Hurungwe, which has seen people in the diaspora combining forces
with local people to bring development to their area,” he said.
“They are determined and focused to make an impact in the
area under headman Mzilawempi where they come from. Their interactions are
development oriented which should provide a template of how others can also
help their areas develop.”
Mr Tizora said the cornerstone of the group’s success has
been transparency where all information and acquittals of how funds are used
are displayed on the WhatsApp social media platform. Herald
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