by dapp | Sep 7, 2020 | Blog, News
DAPP Zimbabwe has launched the Danish Emergency Relief Fund (DERF) supported Early Actions program. The Early Actions aim to contribute towards containing the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic and decrease morbidity and mortality among vulnerable people in Makoni District in Manicaland province in Zimbabwe. The project aims to reach 10 000 households at risk of contracting COVID-19 with correct facts about the epidemic and how they can protect themselves and each other .
Presenting the project at district sensitization meetings, Project Leader, Stailine Ruzvidzo said the main thrust of the project is to ensure that communities and people know how to prevent getting infected by COVID-19 and how not to spread the virus to others. This will be done through targeted information dissemination channels, outreach activities, screening and support for those affected. The intervention which is aligned with the Zimbabwe’s Humanitarian Response Plan (ZHRP) will work closely with the District Response Team and Ministry of Health and Child Care to identify those at risk and provide them with basic food assistance, COVID-19 screening as well as establish social support structures to stop the spread of COVID-19.
As part of measures to support vulnerable members of the community DAPP will establish water points to ensure that there is availability of clean water to maintain good hygiene. Community members will also receive skills training on how to establish and maintain vegetable gardens to ensure sustainability of food supplies. DAPP through this project will work closely with Rusape General Hospital to strengthen the established Isolation centre in the district, provide personal protective equipment for health care workers and donate a multi-purpose ambulance for patients and reaching hard to reach areas.
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 | May 23, 2019 | Blog, News
Green leafy vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals that are important for a healthy diet. Garden Farming in Makoni has been doing just that. Families involved in the GAIA funded Farmers’ clubs program have been able to address food insecurity and improve the health of families by tackling malnutrition. Throughout the year families that established nutrition gardens have increased their resilience and prevented malnutrition .
Grace Mupoperi , a member of the Mabvazuva garden group has seen the benefits of nutrition gardens on the health of her 6 children “Gardens are a source of nutritious food for my children. I see that they don’t fall sick as often as they used to before I had my own garden. We grow different varieties of vegetables that even give us income as we sell them to others in the community ”
Farmers in the project organised themselves into 24 groups and they join their forces, ideas and resources so that they can further the agricultural production of each member. Families make use of seed sharing and organic manures which produce quality vegetable varieties. This coupled with adopting best farming practices methods such as crop diversification, compost making, mulching and crop rotation farmers are giving their families the much needed nutritional diversity.
Gardening farming not only contributes to household food security but it is also providing extra family income from the sale of surplus produce to the local community. Families with gardens usually produce more than enough for their families and the rest is sold and the income is used for medical expenses, school fees, savings and other home improvements requirements.
The Farmers club program funded by Gaia Movement aims to enhance 1 200 farmers’ resilience to current and future climate related shocks and protect the environment in Makoni district thereby making them food, nutrition and income secure all year round. This organised Farmers’ Clubs allow them to be better prepared against current and future climate change related shocks
Bumper garden produce for the family
by dapp | Mar 22, 2019 | Blog, News
DAPP hands over donations for Cyclone Idai victims
Development Aid from people to people has donated thousand of dollars worth of food and non- food items to the Government of Zimbabwe to assist victims of Cyclone Idai.
The good which include mealie meal,cooking oil,blankets, bathing soap, matches and dried kapenta was handed over to the civil protection services representatives at Manyame airbase collection centre.
DAPP Zimbabwe Country Director Mathias Paradzai in his condolence message said “DAPP Zimbabwe joins the nation in moaning those who lost their lives in this disaster and we wish a speedy recovery to those injured”.
He added that says the devastating effects of this disaster are far reaching and called for continued efforts from partners in government, business and the development sector. “We have a long road of rebuilding ahead of us and we need to continue working together to assisted the affected families”
According to the Zimbabwe Ministry of Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services a total of 139 people died with 144 injured and 189 still missing in Zimbabwe. Cyclone Idai is regarded as one of the worst tropical cyclones on record to affect Africa . The storm caused catastrophic damage in Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe
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
