Conrad Mupesa–Mashonaland West Bureau

OVER 3 000 people from Kaseke in Mhondoro-Mubaira have started benefiting from a solar-powered piped water scheme that was donated by a fellow villager.

The US$13 000 high-impact scheme, which was commissioned on Wednesday, was provided by Mr Andrew Chigorimbo, a local villager, and is expected to go a long way in uplifting the lives of the community including providing water to a kindergarten and a business centre. 

Officiating at the handover ceremony, Mashonaland West Minister for State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Affairs Mary Mliswa-Chikoka said the scheme was in line with the country’s Vision 2030 and the United Nation’s Sustainable Goal Number Six which speaks of the provision of potable water to everyone. 

“Mr Chigorimbo’s gesture in partnering with the Government in transforming the lives of our rural communities is commendable.

“He has set a very good example to other youngsters to take back development to their communities,” she said.

The project is currently assisting more than 550 households translating to around 3 000 people within the 18 villages.

Twelve water points have been set up while water pipes have also been laid to some homesteads. 

Mr Chigorimbo, who has over 20 000 chickens, fish ponds and horticulture projects sustained by the water scheme, draws water about 10km away from his homestead.

He said he was motivated by challenges faced by villagers in setting up the scheme while benefiting from the outcome as a farmer as well.

“I am a poultry, fish and horticulture farmer who relies heavily on water. I currently have over 20 000 birds and several fish ponds and all these need clean water. While I mulled the idea of setting up the scheme to sustain my agricultural activities.

“I told myself that my village should also benefit from it hence this scheme,” he said.

He called on those with the means to support communities through society-impact projects that have a positive bearing on human lives. 

In separate interviews, villagers said they would greatly benefit from the scheme as they were previously walking for over five kilometres to access safe water.

“This is a huge project for the community as the majority used to walk long distances to get safe water. 

“While some villages had manual boreholes, this scheme is expected to reduce the time spent getting water” Mr Amos Tavengwa, a beneficiary said. 

Other villagers called for the safeguarding of the infrastructure saying it would help with its longevity.