OVER 4 000 students, teachers and villagers at Waddilove and Goromonzi high schools in Mashonaland East province now have access to clean water, thanks to the joint Coca-Cola Africa Foundation’s Replenish Africa (RAIN) and Plan International water and sanitation project.
By Aaron Ufumeli
The two schools have for several years experienced serious water problems due to dilapidated and archaic equipment.
Speaking during the handover of the projects on Tuesday, Coca-Cola regional franchise manager for Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, Honest Marandu, said the initiative would go a long way in improving the health and welfare of the students, as well as the surrounding communities.
“Education, creativity and innovation are acknowledged as the prime ingredients of economic success .To achieve this aim, schools require access to safe, clean and convenient water to help young boys and, especially girls,” Marandu said.
Plan International country manager Lennart Reinus said the donation of water tanks and reservoirs would go along a long way in improving the quality of water at both schools.
“Access to clean water to children creates a conducive environment for learning and this project will improve the lives of the schoolchildren,” Reinus said. Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, of which Waddilove school falls under, Reverend Solomon Zwane, emphasised the need for the community to exercise good stewardship by taking good care of the boreholes.
Goromonzi High School benefited through a water reservoir with storage capacity of 200 cubic litres that was constructed by a local contractor, Rabgraph Construction. The school also received a pump house and a power line.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Mashonaland East provincial education officer Christopher Chihota said the projects had to be maintained and guarded jealously in order to serve future generations.
“This is a welcome relief. It is going to reduce Goromonzi High School’s water bill. The money saved will then be channelled to other sectors” he said.
Both projects were implemented with the help of the schools’ former student, Nathan Kalumbu, who is now Coca-Cola’s president of the Eurasia and Africa division.
