Recognizing how veld-fires take a toll on communities and the environment, destroying trees, animals, infrastructure and in some cases killing people, DAPP Zimbabwe has initiated intensive actions within its programs to fight this deadly scourge.
DAPP Zimbabwe participated in the National Fire Week campaign on May 15th at Masimbe Farm in Shamva, Mashonaland Central. The Minister of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife, Sithembiso Nyoni, the Minister of State and Devolution for Mashonaland Central, Captain (Rtd) Christopher Magomo, and officials from the Environment Management Agency (EMA) all graced the event and our tent.
During their tour of our exhibition tent, these top government officials had the opportunity to speak with DAPP Frontline Institute teacher Tawanda Nyandoro, who informed them about DAPP’s community-based veld fire reduction initiatives, which include the campaign for installation of fire guards in communities, as well as education and awareness actions starting at the family level.
The fire season campaign runs from the end of July to the end of October, and this year’s campaign launch was themed “Prevent veld fires- protect the environment and livelihoods.”
Fears in communities are likely to be heightened amidst the El Nino induced drought the country is currently battling which necessitates veld fire management efforts.
On May 14, DAPP Zimbabwe participated in the International Day of Families commemorations in Dotito, Mashonaland Central Province. Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development, the guest of honour at the event emphasized the importance of communities working together to address the effects of climate change for the benefit of families.
Gracing our exhibition tent, Minister Mutsvangwa learned of DAPP Zimbabwe’s engagements with communities through initiatives that address global warming and climate change issues affecting families. We showcased some of our initiatives which include Farmer’s Clubs, From Communal to Commercial (C to C) models, and our efficient Firewood Saving Cook project.
The commemoration themed “Families and Climate Change” which is aligned with our activities on information sharing and community engagements through awareness campaigns on climate mitigation and adaptation measures particularly in hard-to-reach places.
Also, in attendance at the ceremony were representatives from the government, public and private sectors, as well as members from the communities. Representing DAPP were members from all our projects in Mashonaland Central, namely: Hope Bindura, Child Aid Bindura/Shamva, From Communal to Commercial (C to C), Ponesai Vanhu Technical College, Frontline Institute, Park Estate, and Ponesai Vanhu Children’s Home.
Throughout the year, we made significant strides, particularly on pressing concerns such as global warming, climate change, and cholera epidemics. Our people-centered approach has not only produced excellent results, but it has also generated long-term collaboration with local partners, government officials, and other key stakeholders.
EIGHTY-ONE students graduated at a colourful ceremony held at our Frontline Institute project in Shamva following the completion of six-month courses titled “Our Humana People to People and Open Future Together”.
The graduates were students under the Humana People to People projects who demonstrated their dedication to development work leading to their training as global activists and advocates in development issues. The graduates hailed from Botswana, Laos, China, Malawi, Namibia, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Together, the 81 students acquired skills and knowledge of coming up with people-centric solutions dealing with local solutions. Staying in rural areas areas, the students were also trained to work in community-based projects upon exhibiting resilience amidst difficult living conditions.
Part of their training course included the Institution’s Trick Cycling programme where for two months, the students and their teachers travelled to the hard-to-reach communities implementing investigative pedagogy as their main method of learning. With this approach, students were nurtured to address real-life issues while the practical exercises boosted their interactive methods of studying, action research, group work and social interactions which proved to be a solid foundation for long-life lessons.
Forty-five students graduated on-site with the rest graduating virtually from their respective countries. Gracing the graduation ceremony were various stakeholders among them government officials, diplomats, local leaders, the media and DAPP staff.
The Frontline Institute is a multi-cultural institution for cultural exchange offering students the opportunity to learn and accept the diversity and oneness of humanity. The Institute also enhanced research skills giving the graduates leverage in coming up with solutions meeting the needs of different communities and current climatic conditions.
Over 60 per cent of the staff trained over the years at the Frontline Institute are still working in Humana projects promoting continuity and sustainability showing staff retention is at the core of the Institute. Around 6,000 people have graduated in 128 intakes at the Frontline Institute since the programme’s inception in 1993.
The report reflects a collective effort that has propelled us to make an impact on people’s lives in Mashonaland Central, Manicaland, and Masvingo provinces. In the year 2023, our presence impacted the lives of 378,675 individuals from all circles of life and we made significant strides, especially in urgent emerging issues like global warming and climate change, as well as the recent cholera outbreak.
