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 3, 2019 | Blog, News
In response to the devastating effects Cyclone Idai, Development Aid from People to People Zimbabwe and UFF Denmark have started an emergency response program to assist 4000 people access safe water and sanitary facilities as well as emergency food assistance. The 4 month intervention will be carried out in ward 6 of Chimanimani, Manicaland Province
Priority has been given to the rehabilitation of water and sanitary facilities to reduce the increasing risk of water-borne diseases brought about by the flooding. So far DAPP Zimbabwe has mobilised the people in preparation for community recovery and rebuilding of 20 boreholes and construction of 150 pit latrines. Through engaging trained pump minders to lead the rehabilitation process communities will be encouraged to take ownership of their facilities.
DAPP will also distribute aqua tablets and water buckets to 1000 households to meet immediate access to safe water while the rehabilitation and construction work is going on. The community active involvement in project activities will ensure sustainability and scaling up of activities
Cyclone Idai eroded household savings and halted income generating opportunities. To help families recover DAPP Zimbabwe will be responding to the emergency needs of the people through provision of emergency food and non food items to the target households. Through coordinated efforts, 1000 households will be assisted to meet their immediate food and nutrition needs for 4 months.
The emergency response is made possible by the Danish Emergency Relief Fund (DERF) /Civil Society in Development (CISU) which is an independent association of Danish Civil Society Organisations that are involved in development work in Asia, Africa or Latin America
by dapp | Mar 28, 2019 | Blog, News
DAPP Zimbabwe and Leonard Cheshire Disability Zimbabwe officially launched the European Union funded Youth Actions on implementation and monitoring of disability rights in Zimbabwe program.
The launch event, attended by high level dignitaries set the tone for the work ahead to ensure inclusion and participation of youth with disabilities (YWD) in decision making. Speaking at the launch DAPP Zimbabwe Director Mathias Paradzai said “ DAPP’s experience in working at grassroots level provides the right starting point to strengthen partnerships between stakeholders to increase visibility and involvement of Youth with disabilities in development processes. The actions will empower these YWDs with knowledge about their rights as well as governance and leadership skills”
Leonard Cheshire Zimbabwe Director Greaterman Chivandire chimed in saying “ The implementation of these actions is expected to see increased access to education; health; employment and other livelihoods opportunities; political participation and social protection services for people with disabilities in the two countries in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ”
The action objective is to contribute towards the promotion, respect, protection and equal and full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disability in Zimbabwe and Zambia. In Zimbabwe the three year program will be implemented by DAPP in Bindura, Shamva and Rushinga districts benefiting 800 YWD while Cheshire Home society will be implementing the program in Zambia with 400YWD.
Official launch of Youth actions on Implementation and monitoring of Disability Rights in Zimbabwe
by dapp | Mar 25, 2019 | Blog, News
My name is Syprain Muzenya and I am a Field Officer working with TC-TB integrated program covering the Urban area of Makoni District .
Through the TB program, I found that actively supporting people who test positive for Tuberculosis goes a long way in ensuring that after they are initiated on treatment they adhere to it as prescribed by the doctor.
As a Field Officer, I engage trained community volunteers in that respective to spearhead the formation of a treatment buddy group (TRIO) to support the TB person to adhere to treatment.
The composition of a TRIO can be family members, a neighbor or one or two good friends. Together with the the trained community volunteers, we work side by side with the infected and affected family to stop the spread of TB. We urge family members to get screened for TB as they have direct contact to someone infected.
In order to stop the spread of TB we encourage that :
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The house should have adequate ventilation
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anyone who coughs should be educated on cough etiquette and respiratory hygiene, and should follow such practices at all times
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while smear positive, TB patients should
- –spend as much time as possible outdoors
- –sleep alone in a separate, adequately ventilated room, if possible
- –spend as little time as possible in public gatherings or in public transport.
We also help the families establish vegetable gardens to improve nutrition for the family and patient. This initiative has worked well in my area, since we started the program in the District of Makoni. Since the inception of the program in Vengere, a total of 8 people were detected TB positive and all were initiated on TB treatment. Through TRIO system, 2 clients have successfully completed their treatment and are doing well. 6 people are still on TB treatment and they are being monitored by their TRIO supporters to ensure that they don’t default which can lead to the development of Drug resistant TB.
In other words I can say the establishment of TRIO support system re-enforces TB drug adherence and contributes to World Health Organisation strategy to end TB
by dapp | Oct 25, 2018 | Blog, News
Youth unemployment remains a challenge in Sub Saharan Africa and is regarded as a key driver of poverty. In Zimbabwe the number of unemployed youths continues to grow due to a myriad of economic challenges that has seen industries and companies closing.
The fight against poverty remains at the heart of DAPP Zimbabwe programming. Through vocational training at Ponesai Vanhu Technical College youths are equipped with the necessary knowledge and practical skills necessary for them to earn a decent living and be a part of stimulating economic growth.
PVTC vocational training is well known for developing occupational competencies in the flagship courses in Motor Mechanics, Business studies and Brick and Block laying. The college also offers three months short courses in Brick and Block Laying, Catering, Garment Making and Beauty Therapy in response to the current economic changes that do make access to training difficult for many.
Ponesai Vanhu Technical College lives up to its name “Ponesai Vanhu” (Help People ) in ensuring that young Zimbabweans create sustainable self employment opportunities to overcome poverty and become contributors to the country’s economy. Due to its focus on careers based training for enterprise (TFE), Ponesai Vanhu Technical College equips individuals with innovative skills which enable them to set up their own businesses.
Ponesai Vanhu Technical College remains non-discriminatory in that it promotes quality vocational training for young women and girls. This is in line with the country’s gender equality drive to see equal access to opportunities. One of the girls said” We are being seen participating and thriving in traditionally male dominated fields such as motor mechanics”.
As we commemorate the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, DAPP Zimbabwe calls on young people not to wait around for government to create jobs but to enroll in vocational institutions such as PVTC to liberate themselves from the effects of poverty.
Advantages of Vocational training
- Practical skills development of specialized occupations
- Lowers unemployment through increased self employment
- Skills development in passion areas
- Shorter training time
- Lower costs of education
- Improves self-esteem
Ponesai Vanhu Technical College, Shamva
Tel: 0783705216
Email: pvtc@gmail.com
DAPP: Tel: 042 497620
