NEEDS ASSESSMENTS (24 March 2010)

WAPA’s field work in Zhombe kicked off on the 24th of March 2010 with WAPA DISABILITY registering people with disabilities to ensure a systematic approach in assisting them. The main aim of the exercise was to promote full participation, equal opportunities and full access to community, social and economic services for people living with disabilities. The needs assessments were spearheaded by Stella Mawowa, WAPA Zimbabwe representative and Fortunate Mawowa, WAPA Administrator: done with the assistance of Councilors, Chief Samambwa and 114 village heads. WAPA DISABILITY registered 144 people with different disabilities in wards 6, 7, 8, 9 and 32: They are categorized in terms of age, sex, ward, disability, needs and severity. This information is well presented in order to provide various choices for varied partners who wish to assist them.

NURSERY AND TREE PLANTING WORKSHOP (17 – 18 May 2010)

WAPA trained 39 farmers on nurseries and tree planting in conjunction with the Forestry Commission in Zhombe. It was mainly focusing on the importance of trees, special emphasis on Gum trees and Herbal gardens. The lessons covered among other things, treatments of nurseries and trees without using expensive measures, e.g. stock ashes, wood ashes, and water used in cooking cereals or grains can be used to treat and control termites; planting trees and nurseries such as moringa and gum trees can be used for medicinal purposes and income generation. The Councilor for Ward 12 was the invited guest of honor though she had to foot about 25km to attend. The community showed interest and commitment as some of the participants had to walk about 18km from areas such as Don Juan and Ward 12 respectively. Mr Felix Nhau of Wadinasi Association for Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) conducted the training together with Mr Taziwa of Forestry Commission representing the government. Wisdom Bveke represented WAPA Administration office.

BLANKETS DISTRIBUTION (6 & 7 July 2010)

WAPA DISBILITY distributed 150 winter blankets to 150 people living with disabilities in wards 6,7,8,9 and 32. WAPA MUSIC sang messages against stigma, prejudice and discrimination; WAPA Health Coordinator Esnath Jongoro made presentations on myths and family support for people with disabilities, each presentation was addressed to at least 200 people per ward. The blanket distribution program was graced by the presence of WAPA Administrator Fortunate Mawowa, WAPA Zimbabwe Representative Stella Mawowa, Chief Samambwa, Councilors and village heads.

ALL STAKEHOLDERS MEETING (21st October 2011)

On the 21st October 2010 WAPA held an All Stakeholders meeting that helped to heighten awareness of disability matters and agricultural development in Kwekwe District. The event introduced WAPA and forged strategic partnerships with players from various sectors. The meeting was graced by the Kwekwe District Administrator DT Mtikizizi who gave the Key Note Address, hosted by Zibagwe Rural District Council and attended by 30 various government sector ministries and organizations : the President’s office; Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare; Ministry of Health and Child Welfare; Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture; Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement; Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development; Ministry of Home Affairs (Victim Friendly Unit); Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development; Ministry of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment; Ministry of Public Works; Veterinary Services; AGRITEX; National Aids Council; Environmental Management Agency (EMA); NGOs; and Media. Stakeholders made several comments and recommendations on the overview of WAPA presented by WAPA Administrator and Board Treasurer Fortunate Mawowa: community education on people with disabilities; Favorable policies for people living with disabilities in all sectors; specific legislation on education of children with disabilities; public facilities should be disability user-friendly e.g. public toilets, schools, churches, transport, banks, robots with siren; funding for disability services from NGOs; training of sign language interpreters who can then be deployed to various departments e.g. courts, registrar’s office, hospitals, clinics, schools etc; information on national media should be presented in sign language, especially on topical issues such as politics, H.I.V/AIDS, Malaria and Cholera; the government and other agencies should mobilize for assistive devices for children living with disabilities; Children living with disabilities to attend schools in their communities; a multidisciplinary approach involving different professions and agencies to meet the needs of people with disabilities, which involve them in dealing with their challenges; registration of children with disabilities; implementation of the disability legislation; counseling; Community NGO partnerships; rehabilitation; entertainment centers; preschools; organic farming; farmers need more education, support with inputs, equipment and machinery. The presence of Wadinasi Association for Poverty Alleviation Board Trustees Stella Mawowa and Andrew Mutsiwa made a difference. The All Stakeholders meeting was held under the theme: ‘Together We Secure A Better Future’.

DISTRICT WATER AND SANITATION SUB-COMMITTEE (17 December 2010)

The meeting comprised Zibagwe Rural District Council; Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development; Agritex; Ministry of Health and Child Welfare and othe NGOs; while WAPA was represented by the Programmes Officer Wisdom Bveke. The committee set itself out to rehabilitate 8 water points for rehabilitation in wards 1 and 3; train Water Point User Committees; train Village Pump Mechanics; Construct toilets in wards 1, 2, 3, 30 and 31, first preference to be given to orphans, child headed households and people with disabilities; promote hygiene through training of 75 health volunteers at ward level; train 40 School Health Masters from 20 schools; form and support of 10 School Health Clubs; form and support two (2) Home based Care groups; and Clean-up and Awareness campaigns.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION WORKSHOP (25th February 2011)

On the 25th February 2011 WAPA Disability held a Community Education Workshop at Sidhakeni High School, Zhombe. The objective was to promote full participation, equal opportunities and full access to community, social and economic services for people living with disabilities. WAPA Administrator Fortunate Mawowa opened with a Key Note Address that expounded the challenges and struggles that people with disabilities experience daily and the need to integrate them in the social and economic life of the community. Topics covered were Myths and Misconceptions; Stigma, Prejudice and Discrimination; Rights of People with Disabilities/ Abuses; Immunisation, Community Care and Support; Social and Economic Integration. There were 144 participants from Wards 6,7 and 8 which comprise the chief, village heads, Councilors, clinic representatives, village health workers, ward youth officers, church leaders, women affairs ward coordinators, environmental health technicians and schools health masters. Facilitators of the workshop were Wadinasi Association for Poverty Association; Local Government; Zibagwe Rural District Council; Chief Samambwa; Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture; Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare; and Ministry of Health and Child Welfare. The workshop was also attended by the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment; Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development and Empress Police Station. WAPA MUSIC provided entertainment and soothing messages in song, to reinforce what was being discussed. The workshop challenged community leaders to rethink the position of people with disabilities in their community. The workshop was held under the theme ‘Together We Secure A Better Future’.