Project proposal Footbridge Shavanhowe
PLEA FROM CHEMHONDORO SCHOOL TO ROTARY CLUB OF HARARE
CITY FOR ASSISTANCE TO SAVE LIVES OF SCHOOL CHILDREN BY
BUILDING A FOOTBRDIGE ACROSS SHAVANHOWE RIVER.
BACKGROUND
Chemhondoro School is situated approximately 65km East from Harare in the Province of Mashonaland
East, Zimbabwe. The school comprises a Primary School with 2,400 pupils and a Secondary School with
1,800 students. Their catchment area has a radius of 8 km. About 1.5km east of the school is
Shavanhowe River. Approximately 550 people are crossing the river daily.
This river is seasonal as it trickles in the dry season and is easily crossable. However, in the rainy season,
the river is flooded for the greater part of the season and becomes dangerous to cross. In those flooded
periods, the alternative for the kids is to walk another 8km round to the main bridge on the
Harare/Nyamapanda Rd, hence the temptation to cross the river even when flooded.
PLEA FROM THE SCHOOL
The Headmaster of the Primary School, Mr. Nyandoro, wrote to The Rotary Club of Harare City stating
that some of his pupils have been swept away and drowned as they try to cross the river to and from
school in the rainy season. The record shows that, in the last 5 years, 12 pupils and 2) adults have been
swept away and drowned.
The plea from the Headmaster is for assistance to eliminate the danger of drowning of the children in the community.
ROTARY CLUB'S RESPONSE
On receipt of the Headmaster's plea, The Projects Director and some Rotarians visited the School in July,
2012 (dry season) and walked to the river to ascertain the problem. They held discussions with the
Headmaster, his Deputy Headmaster, Community leaders and other members of the community.
The decision to build a footbridge to save the lives of the school children was thus taken after
consideration of other options and costs implications. The river was visited again in January, 2013, when
the river was flooded in the rainy season to assess the dangers posed.
THE FOOT BRIDGE SOLUTION
The Club Projects Team approached Engr Jaos Musoko, of SIRSTON CONSULTANTS, HARARE, who agreed
to survey the area and present drawings, Bill of Quantities and costs for no charge. The footbridge is
estimated to cost USD65,000 all inclusive.
THE PLAN
The Plan is to seek Rotary assistance through a Global Grant to enable the construction of this
footbridge. Members of the Community will be approached to assist with free labor in the construction
of the bridge so that they become involved and also build some sense of community ownership.
All the relevant Authorities' consent and approvals will be sought.
TIMING
It is anticipated that the footbridge will be completed by October 2014, with work starting in April 2014.
In April 2013 the club president Virginia Mudima granted the project committee the authority to go
ahead with this project and find funding for it.
We are therefore appealing to the entire Rotary Community to seek funding for this project though a Global Grants
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