SHANNISE DZOBO
BIKITA -The biggest listed beverages company in the country, Delta Corporation has poured in US$25 000 into Chitenderano Primary School in Bikita Rural for a solar powered borehole.
The borehole will not only benefit the school, but the surrounding Nyahunda community as well since they are going to get safe drinking water from a reliable source, thanks to Delta Corporation.
The beverages concern sunk in US$10 000 in the solar-powered borehole, while US$15 000 went towards the refurbishments of a classroom block, teacher’s house and ablution facilities at Chitenderano Primary school.
The school’s infrastructure had been destroyed by heavy rains that fell across the country in October last year.
The borehole will benefit over 5 000 villagers and 500 learners from Tagona and Chitenderano primary schools.
Patricia Murambinda, Delta general manager corporate affairs told the guests at the official opening of the facilities that the project which started late last year focused more on addressing the problem of inadequate water and poor sanitation at Tagona and Chitenderano schools and the surrounding communities.
“This project has enabled us to take a step towards empowering communities to fight against the cholera epidemic while delivering on the vital human need of access to clean water.
“The provision of the solarized borehole will alleviate climate change induced water shortages in rural areas, where some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the country live.
“The refurbishment of the classroom block, teacher’s house and ablution facilities aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all,” said Murambinda.
Murambinda went on to say that they are encouraged that this project has acted as a catalyst for alumni and former learners to participate in community projects as some have recently teamed up to rehabilitate a borehole at Ngorima Clinic which is catering for increased cholera cases.
Ward 29, Bikita South, Cllr Wilson Mapazire told The Midweek Watch that they were very delighted with what Delta has done to revamp the face of the schools and the community in terms of provision of clean water.
“We are very happy as a community because women and children have been fetching water from a nearby river which they were using for household chores and drinking of which the water was very unsafe for human consumption therefore, we are very grateful to Delta for giving back to the community and choosing us as we were in dire need,” said Mapazire.
One of the women who identified herself as Mbuya Dube who had come to the official handover ceremony told The Midweek Watch that they had encountered countless cases of diarrhea and typhoid from both children and adults due to contaminated and unclean water.
She added that with the newly installed solarized water borehole it has given the community access to clean and safe water for drinking and other uses.
“As a community we experienced many cases of diarrhea and typhoid from both children as we were using unsafe water, now with the newly installed solarized water borehole, we now have access to clean and safe for us,” said Mbuya Dube.
Bikita District Schools Inspector, James Mahofa expressed gratitude to Delta for renovating the blocks that had been destroyed by storms last year and to bring clean water to the teachers and learners thereby improving the learning conditions which result in good pass rates.
