In 2006 and 2007, the African Well Fund sponsored its first project in
Gokwe, Midlands Province, Zimbabwe. Two wards of the district's 30 were
served, providing over 8000 villagers with access to clean water, as
well as two schools with sanitation facilities.
However, water access in Gokwe South as a whole remained desperately insufficient.
Over a decade of recurrent drought stretched already overtaxed water points, leading to outright failure of many boreholes and consistent breakdowns of others. In addition, the country's economic crisis was coming to a head as hyper-inflation took hold, making it nearly impossible for the government at any level to establish new water points or maintain existing ones.
The AWF's second project in Gokwe South sought to provide water access to over 11,000 residents of another ward in the district as well as to improve sanitation facilities for 300 pupils. While water availability had not historically been at issue in the targeted ward, its water sources were unprotected, leaving the communities vulnerable to water borne diseases such as cholera, which was responsible for 79 deaths in the district.
Completed Karigwe Shallow Well
As before, AWF partner Africare sought to work with the community to complete the project, with ownership of the water points belonging to those served by them. Unfortunately, a worsening economic and political climate brought new challenges which had to be addressed before work could be completed.
With inflation at over a million percent, many members of the community were unable to work on new construction, instead being forced to search for increasingly scarce food. This same scarcity also affected the search for well materials, with most having to be imported from South Africa. In addition, work by NGOs was halted until national elections were completed in August 2008.
Amos Well in Progress
Despite these set-backs, the project was able to move ahead as the political situation cleared. Simbe Primary School was chosen as the beneficiary of improved latrines. In return, 20 students of the school were given scholarships for their primary education. Eight new wells were constructed or upgraded in targeted villages, providing more than 1,140 people with protected, safe sources for water.
These twenty school children will now have their school fees paid.
New pit latrines were constructed for Simbe Primary School.
However, water access in Gokwe South as a whole remained desperately insufficient.
Over a decade of recurrent drought stretched already overtaxed water points, leading to outright failure of many boreholes and consistent breakdowns of others. In addition, the country's economic crisis was coming to a head as hyper-inflation took hold, making it nearly impossible for the government at any level to establish new water points or maintain existing ones.
The AWF's second project in Gokwe South sought to provide water access to over 11,000 residents of another ward in the district as well as to improve sanitation facilities for 300 pupils. While water availability had not historically been at issue in the targeted ward, its water sources were unprotected, leaving the communities vulnerable to water borne diseases such as cholera, which was responsible for 79 deaths in the district.
Karigwe Shallow Well Before Upgrading
Completed Karigwe Shallow WellAs before, AWF partner Africare sought to work with the community to complete the project, with ownership of the water points belonging to those served by them. Unfortunately, a worsening economic and political climate brought new challenges which had to be addressed before work could be completed.
With inflation at over a million percent, many members of the community were unable to work on new construction, instead being forced to search for increasingly scarce food. This same scarcity also affected the search for well materials, with most having to be imported from South Africa. In addition, work by NGOs was halted until national elections were completed in August 2008.
Amos Well in ProgressDespite these set-backs, the project was able to move ahead as the political situation cleared. Simbe Primary School was chosen as the beneficiary of improved latrines. In return, 20 students of the school were given scholarships for their primary education. Eight new wells were constructed or upgraded in targeted villages, providing more than 1,140 people with protected, safe sources for water.
Completed Amos Well
These twenty school children will now have their school fees paid.
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