by dapp | Mar 25, 2020 | Blog
AT least 2 500 Cyclone Idai victims in Shinja area of Chimanimani have received 6,3 tonnes of garden vegetable seeds worth US$40 000 from Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) Funded by the Danish Emergency Relief Fund (DERF), DAPP handed over the donation to ward six and nine beneficiaries, of which 63 percent of them were women.
The villagers received a variety of vegetable seeds which include butternuts, sugar beans, okra, tsunga, covo, rape, tomatoes, carrots, spinach and king onions.
Speaking on the sidelines of the handover ceremony, DAPP Zimbabwe country director, Mr Mathias Paradzai, said the donation was aimed at enhancing and improving food security, nutrition and incomes of the targeted households.
“There is room for the households’ livelihoods to improve through availing agricultural inputs. This will increase household disposable income and reduce expenditure on food products.
“DAPP, with the support of the Danish Emergency Relief Fund stands with the people of Zimbabwe and are trying to assist families in Chimanimani District to live healthier and more resilient lives.
“The successful handover we are celebrating today was made possible by the unity and hard work of men, women, youth and leaders in the district,” he said.
The beneficiaries were selected from 1 000 households that participated in the DAPP Zimbabwe’s DERF food hand-outs and non-food items distribution programme which was implemented from May to August 2019.
In an interview, DAPP programmes manager, Mr Petros Muzuva said distributing the seeds was an early action programme for the victims of the devastating disaster.
He said vulnerable children and people living with disabilities were not an exception as they benefited through the organisation’s Child Aid Programme.
“The idea is that farmers should grow vegetables and they gain on both ends as they get their nutrients from the vegetables they grow as well as income from selling the produce. We are working together with Government and other developmental partners to see that these people’s lives are revived.
“Ultimately, the action will contribute to the country’s food chain emergency by implementing best agronomic practices and techniques which have proven to be effective in building resilience ahead of climatic change effects,” he said.
SOURCE : MANICA POST
by dapp | Mar 5, 2020 | Blog, News
Ponesai Vanhu Technical College (PVTC) in partnership with Chaminuka Vocational Training Centre (Cham tech ) have introduced the TVET for all through Public -Private partnership in Zimbabwe program. The pilot project is expected to equip benefit 400 youths from disadvantaged backgrounds with market ready skills which are critical for income generating and job security.
In order to meet the ever-changing work environment the privately run PVTC and public run Cham Tech will benefit from the development of a new curriculum that will strengthen skills development systems that improve employability of disadvantaged groups in Zimbabwe. The new curriculum developed with the assistance of Bindura University of Science education, will align with market demands.
The 400 beneficiaries who include 25 youth disabilities and 200 young women will go through the 8 month training course which will be divided into in-class learning and on the job training to allow students to acquire on the job experiences, knowledge, skills and appropriate attitude to work. The pilot program will also assist students in the transition into the formal and informal workforce though linkages with business, government and financial institutions.
The ENABEL funded 2 year project which started in November 2019 will be implemented with DAPP as the lead Partner, and Chaminuka Vocational Training Center and Leonard Cheshire Disability Zimbabwe as co-applicants, Bindura University of Science Education and Higher Life Foundation as Associates.
Students start lessons of the 9th of March 2020
by dapp | Feb 2, 2020 | Blog, News
Misconceptions, myths and negative attitudes are the major barriers hindering people with disability from participating fully and effectively in their communities on an equal basis with their peers, says Development Aid from People to People (DAPP)programmes co-ordinator Mr Petros Muzuva.
Speaking during the training of councillors and traditional leaders in Bindura and Shamva on disability issues, Mr Muzuva said some of the myths and stereotyping are rooted in traditional and religious beliefs.
He added that some people believed that disability was a result of bad luck, avenging spirits and superstition.
“The objective of the training is to ensure that our traditional and local leaders mainstream disability issues,” said Mr Muzuva.
“Traditional and local leaders are key in development issues hence the need to understand and interpret the United Nations Convention for Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD) on issues of people with disability (PWD) so that they can incorporate them in community development plans.
“Myths and misconceptions have resulted in some parents and guardians of PWDs being ashamed of letting them go out in public or taking them for rehabilitation. Together we can remove barriers and raise awareness on issues affecting PWDs with an inclusive understating of having their rights being accorded.
“Our objective is to see committees of PWDs being created starting at ward level. The intention is to have a holistic approach when we discuss issues of development. PWDs should not be left out in community development, hence the need for their participation in developmental meetings.
“During registration of PWDs we compiled information in Bindura and came up with a total number of 718 people with disabilities across all age groups. Three hundred and seventy-seven of the 718 are between the ages of 15-35, which is our target group in the programme dubbed Youth Actions on Implementation and Monitoring of Disability Rights in Zimbabwe funded by the European Union.”
Chief Musana urged all councillors to put their political differences aside and work together towards the development and inclusion of PWDs.
“Councillors are the ones with people on the ground, we need to come together and unite regardless of our political affiliations,” said Chief Musana.
“Let’s go back to our wards and teach people of the correct terminology when referring to PWDs. The most important thing is to teach people that we are equal. As traditional leaders we have already started including PWDs in everything we do.”
by dapp | Aug 6, 2019 | Blog, News
Faith Gunda Testimonial
My name is Faith Gunda from Rusape in Zimbabwe. I am a Tuberculosis survivor. When I fell ill I didn’t know what was wrong with me. Being from a rural area I didn’t visit a hospital but just bought pain killers and prayers but nothing seemed to be working. I was losing weight and constant chest pains. It was only after Madam Makona, a DAPP community volunteer and Mr Nyanhongo, came home and sensitised me and my family on the signs, symptoms and treatment of TB that I understood what was wrong with me. After some convincing I gave them a sputum sample that was taken to the hospital for testing. After a few days the results from the hospital came and I was informed I had to undergo an xray test at the local clinic. The X-ray test together with the sputum tests showed that I had tested positive for Tuberculosis. The Field Officer together with the nurse explained the treatment options and I started taking TB medicine.
When I went to the clinic , my husband went with me and together we were informed about the importance of support when taking the medicine. The Field officer introduced us to what they call a TRIO treatment support which would be comprised of me the patient ,my husband and the field officer. This Trio was meant to support me during the time I will be taking my medicine to ensure that it is done on time and consistently.
We were also told that my whole family must be tested for TB. Kelvin,my husband, and children, Patience (2 years), Darlington (7 years) and Farai (1.6 years) went for X-ray tests and were found to be having TB. It was a difficult time for my family. But we support each other and the Field Officer stood by our side and visited us often to make sure we were taking our medicine correctly.
We started taking the medication and we started recovering. I personally am now fit and I do help my spouse and family. I gratefully appreciate DAPP Zimbabwe for coming to my family’s rescue. If it was not for this organisation, early death would have been the fate of my family and I.
DAPP Zimbabwe is currently implementing the Total Control of Tuberculosis and HIV Integrated program which is responding to the burden of TB and HIV in Makoni District in Zimbabwe. The project is working to combat tuberculosis and HIV in the area, to reduce stigma and discrimination related to TB and HIV infections as well as increasing awareness, diagnosis and treatment services. This is done through targeted case finding done at community and household levels. TC TB Makoni uses the door to door approach and encourage people to get tested.
by dapp | Jun 13, 2019 | Blog, News
1000 vulnerable households from the Cyclone Idai affected areas received food aid under the CISU/DERF Humanitarian intervention to Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe Chimanimani Emergency program. Speaking at the hand over event at Chiyamiti community centre, DAPP Zimbabwe Country Director Mathias Paradzai said the assistance is part of wider relief efforts that will see the rehabilitation and reconstruction of water and sanitation facilities. “Together with our technical partner UFF Denmark, DAPP Zimbabwe will be working in Ward 6 and part of Ward 9 to construct 150 latrines and rehabilitate 20 boreholes. He added that the assistance took into account the dietary needs of babies and sanitary wear for women who sometimes are forgotten in times of crisis.
Beneficiaries especially mothers expressed their gratitude for the timely gesture. “We were starving in this area, it was hard to watch our children go without food and not knowing what to do”
Tendai Mukuti who lives with a disability also thanked DAPP for the assistance saying ” The situation for people with disabilities was made worse by this disaster. I want to thank DAPP for giving me hope and somewhere to start from”
Women who received sanitary wear said their needs are sometimes forgotten in emergency situations and yet they are part of their monthly needs. “ Sanitary wear is a challenge and most women were resorting to using old rags to get through their menstrual cycles. We are grateful to DAPP for including pads as part of their assistance to us.
A total of 150 households will receive building material to construct pit latrines to promote health and hygiene while 20 community boreholes will be rehabilitated through the financial support of the Civil Society in Development (CISU) / Danish Emergency Relief Fund (DERF)
Beneficiary is all smiles after receiving food assistance
