RUTENDO CHIRUME
MASVINGO-The visually impaired community of Makombo near Kapota School under Chief Zimuto in Masvingo District is appealing for food aid as harvests were affected by vagaries of climate change.
One of the community members, Ernest Dube told The Midweek Watch that the are looking for assistance in a number of areas including food aid, funds to start income generating projects like horticulture and poultry farming.
Dube said their community which is mainly composed of blind people is also facing erratic water supply and they are in desperate need of a system that will ensure constant supply of the commodity.
“Makombo is a place which was allocated to us by the Reformed Church of Zimbabwe so that we can live as visually impaired people long time ago. However, we are facing food and water challenges and that has made our lives unbearable since we cannot sustain our selves as a community.
“We have no source of clean water as a result we are exposed to water borne diseases.
“We also require resident medical personnel at Kapota School who can also attend to us whenever such services are required, if the Government could come in to assist us in that area we would be very much grateful.
“Although we occasionally get some food assistance from the congregants, it is not enough as the population has grown big.
“There are already signs of malnutrition among the children in the community since the donated food items supplied by the Department of Social Welfare are not enough to last for the whole month and they are not consistent in the supply of the food items,” he added.
Dube also said that they have since appealed to the government and social welfare but their grievances have not been attended to.
Widowers and widows who are getting monthly pensions form the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) are not spared as the money is not enough to cater for food and school fees.
The problem is also exacerbated by the erratic payments for school fees from the Basic Education Assistance Module from treasury which has forced some children to drop out of school.
Dube also decried the state of their roads which is forcing transport operators to either charge astronomical fares or withdraw their services completely.
“Our roads are impassable now due to potholes and pits which make it almost difficult for the blind to walk from one place to the other as one risks breaking a leg in those pits,’’ he said.
RCZ general secretary Reverend Tafadzwa Masimba said they are trying to help the Makombo community with food and clothing but it is not enough as the church is catering for a lot of vulnerable in society.
“As a church we give some donations to the community but we overwhelmed with other responsibilities hence we cannot adequately cater for their needs. However, they are getting something from the local congregation frequently. It is a huge community now and it needs assistance,” said Masimba.
Efforts to get a comment from the Provincial Social Welfare Officer as those who answered the call said she was not authorized to speak to the Press.
