by dapp | May 21, 2020 | Blog, News
As the world continues the fight against COVID -19, the gains made in fighting HIV/AIDS must be maintained. Following the extension of the nationwide lockdown in Zimbabwe, HOPE Bindura’s voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) centre resumed offering HIV counseling and testing to the Bindura community in May 2020.
HOPE Project Leader Rebecca Njopera says providing HIV health services such as HIV prevention, testing and treatment remains a priority during the level 2 lockdown period in order to reach the 95-95-95 targets. “As we resume the services, we continue to adhere to laid down precautionary measures of social distancing, and hand washingt among others. The nurse and staff manning the testing centre worked together to ensure that both clients and the staff are safe.
New measures implemented to protect clients and staff:
- Both clients and staff are screened for COVID-19 symptoms before entering the clinic
- Both clients and staff wear face masks in the centre
- Water and Soap and hand sanitizer are provided for both staff and clients
- Staff advises clients on safe physical distancing.
by dapp | Apr 26, 2020 | Blog, News
World Malaria Day, which takes place on 25 April each year, is an internationally recognized day, highlighting the global efforts to control malaria and celebrating the gains that have been made. The global theme for World Malaria Day, ‘Zero Malaria Starts with Me’, emphasizes everyone’s power and responsibility – no matter where they live – to ensure no one dies from a mosquito bite. DAPP Zimbabwe remains committed to eliminate malaria in Zimbabwe. We reflect on the recently ended Global Funded E8 project on Malaria under the ADPP Mozambique consortium.
The project was aimed to support national cross- border and district community based malaria elimination programs to address the problem of cross-border parasite transportation between the high and low endemic countries through targeting the migrants and mobile populations and the local malaria transmission in underserved hard to reach communities in border districts. The project was premised on four strategic approaches namely
- Community mobilization and empowerment with advocacy, Information Education and Communication (IEC) for demand creation and utilization
- Early diagnosis and testing with Rapid Test Kits and quality control with Microscopy
- Treatment, referral, follow up and radical cure with combination malaria drugs
- Surveillance and tracking of cases with monitoring and evaluation
The project main results were:
- Construction of 5 Border Health Posts to serve the population around border areas and Migrant and Mobile Populations in Beitbridge, Rushinga, Mutasa, Mudzi and Chiredzi.
- Health Posts successfully offered Malaria treatment including some Primary Health Care services as agreed by the District Health Executives (DHEs).
- Enhanced Malaria Participatory approaches with campaigns and cooperation with all locally recognized structures.
- EHTs managed to carry out Case investigations and identification of breeding sites in pursuant to control of malaria.
- Registered General Nurses (RGNs), Environmental Health Technicians (EHTs) and the Project staff combined in advancing Social behaviour change communication within the far to reach communities on Malaria awareness.
- Strengthening communities on local collaboration through Community Advocacy meetings which engaged local leadership and cross border communities.
- Enhanced community testing and treatment of malaria by VHWs.
- Mobilization for Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) Programs at Household level & Feedback meetings with Village Health Workers.
- Each Health Post managed to form a Health Centre Committee to spearhead local development of the health post.
by dapp | Apr 7, 2020 | Blog, News
The Early Actions intervention program is proving to be effective in contributing to increased resilience among 500 households in wards 6 and 9 of Chimanimani, Manicaland province. The early actions funded by the Danish Emergency Relief Fund (DERF) saw families receiving vegetable seeds such as butternuts, sugar beans, okra, tomatoes, carrots towards rehabilitating their gardens.
Seed handover
Seed planting
DAPP Programs Manager, Petros Muzuva says the actions are addressing food insecurity by providing stable and rapid access to nutritious food through assisting families restore 500 household gardens in Chimanimani district.
“The idea is that farmers should grow vegetables for household consumption and surplus for sale to raise income. He added that the action will ultimately contribute to food and nutrition security through implementing best agronomic practices and techniques which have proven to be effective in building resilience in the face of climatic change effects.
Through training on the best farming practices such as composting, crop diversification and soil protection farmers have enhanced agriculture practices resulting in increased yields. So far households’ have started to see a reduction in in their food expenditure as they are getting food from their own gardens.
DAPP Zimbabwe is implementing this project through the support from UFF HUMAMA
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.
