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.
Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) Zimbabwe is proud to announce a transformative partnership with the Swiss Academy for Development (SA4D) to launch a comprehensive three-year project focused on empowering disadvantaged youth in Shamva District The joint effort, named “Green Paths for You(th) and the Climate,” aims to empower 300 disadvantaged young people aged 15-24 over a 34-month period starting from March 1, 2024.
At the core of our project is the goal of equipping young people with vital skills in sustainable, climate-smart agriculture to improve food security, nutrition, and income stability. Through targeted technical and practical training sessions, participants will gain practical knowledge and hands-on experience in agricultural practices that prioritize environmental sustainability.
Beyond technical skills, we recognize the importance of enhancing employability and life skills among youth. To achieve this, our project integrates innovative sport and play-based sessions that impart agri-entrepreneurship knowledge and general life skills. By combining practical training with ongoing mentorship, coaching, and provision of start-up tools, we aim to empower participants to embark on successful economic ventures.
A central aspect of our project is the commitment to addressing mental health challenges and combating alcohol, drug, and substance abuse among young people. By fostering awareness and providing support, we seek to promote healthier lifestyles and cultivate a more engaged and resilient youth population in Shamva District.
DAPP Zimbabwe is also focused on enhancing our organizational capacities through this partnership. Our dedicated local staff and community members will receive specialized training on SA4D’s sport and play-based approach, enhancing our ability to integrate these methodologies into our broader development activities. This capacity-building initiative will strengthen our impact and visibility, particularly in the field of “Sport for Development.”
As we embark on this journey, we recognize that the project’s impact extends far beyond our direct participants. Planned awareness-raising activities and community engagement events will benefit the broader project area, fostering sustainable and inclusive development across Shamva District. With 300 young people set to benefit directly from our training sessions and community initiatives, DAPP Zimbabwe is excited to be at the forefront of positive change. Together with SA4D, we are committed to building a brighter future for disadvantaged youth and their communities, creating pathways to sustainable employment and improved well-being.
My name is Tsakani Lause MJao and I am 43 years old woman staying in Shamva. I am a Water Pump Mechanic at Ponesai Vanhu Technical College (PVTC) in Shamva District, Mashonaland Central province. As a woman who was affected by water challenges I decided to take an active role in the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme at the school addressing challenges in easy access to portable water, poor sanitation and hygiene in Shamva district.
The WASH program opened new doors for me to learn Water Pump Management and Borehole Repairing. Together with surrounding community members, we embarked on a 12-day training on water pump management. At first I thought the job was for men since I was the only lady but through theory and practical lessons facilitated by a lady, I discovered that I was equally able to do the job.
My participation in borehole repairing and water pump management inspired other 4 women from the community to join the training. To put into practice my training, I first started by repairing a local borehole which had not been in use for a long time. Borehole repairing is a challenging job because it requires precision and leaves no room for mistakes and the first borehole that I repaired is now working properly, people are even fetching water from it.
I have become a role model to fellow women in Shamva and more women keeps on emulating me. Together with other trained members, we will keep on repairing and managing our surrounding boreholes for community members to have easy access to portable water.
