This project is to develop four clean-water wells for safe drinking water in Ward One, Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe. Children are frequently ill with intestinal upsets. These illnesses are due to the use of unsafe water supplies. The purpose is to alleviate numerous illnesses that result when children drink unsafe water and to irrigate crops used to feed the children.
The Orphan Care Center needs two wells: one for domestic use and one for irrigation water for crops that will help to sustain the Orphan Care Feeding Program. Two additional wells are needed one at Inyagui and one at Guzha Primary Schools.
Project Plan:
A hydrologist has cited four wells. A well driller, recommended by Harare City Rotary Club, has been contacted and will do the drilling when funding is available. Once the wells are drilled and the pumps and equipment installed the job will be complete. It is estimated that it will take about three to four months by the time the tank stands are constructed and the storage tanks installed
Location:
Heather Chimhoga Orphan Care (HCOC) is located in Ward 1 along with three primary schools and one secondary school. The total school enrollment of these four schools is approximately 2800 children, including preschoolers. 1,200 of these children are classified as orphans.
Problem:
Even in best of times, the children are frequently ill with intestinal upsets. It was worse during the outbreak of Cholera in the area in 2008 and 2009 that was primarily due to inadequate safe drinking water. Some families were nearly wiped out because of the severe outbreak.
Background:
The project began in 1997 at Nyamashato Primary and Secondary School. The focus was safe drinking water and sanitary facilities. The first project was the drilling of a well for the schools. One classroom building that had been damaged by a wind storm was re-roofed. Several Blair Toilet units were constructed. Classroom construction and renovation at both Nyamashato Primary and Secondary Schools was carried out each year for several years. Teacher housing was also renovated or constructed new at all of the schools in Ward 1.
Heather Chimhoga Orphan Care began in 2001 with community input and support to respond to the needs of children orphaned by the AIDS pandemic sweeping through Zimbabwe. Building began with six orphans registered and by the time the facility was complete, there were 60 orphans registered. Since 2001, the number of orphans has grown to more than 1,200 in Ward 1 and is continuing to grow. Two more feeding facilities were constructed in 2003, one at Inyagui and the other at Guzha Primary Schools, to provide for the growing needs of the orphans in this ward. Limited funding made it necessary to transport water long distances by drums on ox drawn carts. The growing numbers of orphans has rendered this system inadequate. There is always danger of the water becoming contaminated. Renewed Hope Charitable Foundation, a 501© 3, has been the primary support system for this mission. The resources are severely taxed. For more information see www.renewed-hope.org
Early in 2008 the Provincial Government, at the urging of community leaders, gave HCOC 85 acres of land, one km from the present site, on which to expand. 25 acres have been recently fenced with electric fencing. This was done in order to protect crops being grown for the feeding program. One well, storage and distribution system is needed for water for irrigation to allow for year round crop production. Drip irrigation supplies are also needed for water conservation during crop production.
Approximately eight acres will be used for safe houses for abused children, staff housing, office building, warehouse and a Hospice Center for critically ill children. When the hospice center is constructed, a laundry and kitchen will be a must. A second well, storage and distribution system is needed to provide water for the domestic use of this facility.
Water from these wells will enable the community to be more efficient when molding bricks for future building projects.
Four wells have been cited by a hydrologist. A well driller, recommended by Harare City Rotary Club, has been contacted and will do the drilling when funding is available. Once the wells are drilled and the pumps and equipment installed the job will be complete. It is estimated that it will take about three to four months by the time the tank stands are constructed and the storage tanks installed.
Describe how the benefiting community will maintain this project after grant funding has been fully expended.
Wells and irrigation equipment are needed to maximize land use. Food produced will be used at the three feeding centers of HCOC. It will also provide food for the children and staff living at the new site. Any excess food will be sold to the local community that often has insufficient food due to unpredictable rain fall. Income from sale of crops will help make this project self sustaining.
The entire community benefits from the care given to orphans in their midst by HCOC. Community members are employed by HCOC to plant and maintain the crops. Responsible individuals will be identified and trained in the care and maintenance of the pumps and irrigation equipment at the new site for HCOC expansion. Community members at Inyagui and Guzha Schools will be identified and trained in the care and maintenance of the new wells and pumps. They will be responsible for fencing and protecting the equipment. | 
