|
Back to Index
SIDA
pledges continued support for child rights project in Murehwa
Taurai Maduna,
Kubatana.net
February 24, 2006
View
Official handover of motor vehicles in Murehwa - picture story
Read
Interview with Swedish ambassador on the humanitarian crisis in
Zimbabwe
View audio file details
 |
| Motorvehicle
and two motorcycles donated to the SAHRIT child rights project
in Murehwa |
"The people of Murehwa should tell a thing or two to the people
in Harare and Bulawayo who are detaining children." These were
the words of the newly appointed Swedish Ambassador to Zimbabwe,
Mr Sten Rylander during a hand-over of a vehicle and two motor bikes
for a community child rights project in Murehwa District, 85 km
North East of Harare.
Mr Rylander's
remarks were in direct reference to the arrest of 420 women and
19 babies during the Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) Bread and Roses
Valentine's Day demonstration.
 |
| Mr
Sten Rylander speaks to Prof Walter Kamba and Emma Gweshe from
SAHRIT |
The Human Rights
Trust of Southern Africa (SAHRIT) has been implementing a community
child rights project since the early 1990's under the support of
the Swedish Development Agency (SIDA). The project is being implemented
in wards 1, 14, 20 and 21.
Speaking at
Murehwa Training Centre, the Swedish ambassador assured the Murehwa
community that his Government was fully aware of the present problems
and challenges facing Zimbabweans and that they would not abandon
them. "We have committed substantial resources to alleviate
the human suffering and ensuring that children enjoy the full benefits
of education," said Mr Rylander.
In his closing
remarks, Mr Rylander urged the Murehwa community to be focused in
their work and remain as a shining example to the nation. "I
also applaud your strong and consistent determination to stay focused
on what you have set out to do, refusing to be bogged down by petty
politics and political rivalries," the Ambassador said.
 |
| Headman
Zihute warns the community on the misuse of the donated motor
vehicles |
The
SAHRIT-Murehwa community project is one of the beneficiaries of
the nearly two million United Stated Dollars (US$2mill) that SIDA
has allocated to programs targeted at promoting the rights of children.
An elated Headman
Zihute representing Chief Magwende at the ceremony urged the community
to shun corruption. He said the drivers of the motor vehicles should
not carry their girlfriends. He drew loud applause when he announced
that the motor vehicles should not carry him if they met him on
the road.
Emma Gweshe,
the Programmes Manager at SAHRIT said the community based project
that her organisation is running in Murehwa is aimed at empowering
the community to take responsibility for the promotion and protection
of the rights of children. Listen to audio
She added
that the project is being implemented through community-based initiatives
such as child protection committees in villages.
 |
| Emma
Gweshe from SAHRIT and Keziya Chikwati who has benefited from
the SAHRIT educational assistance programme |
SAHRIT has also
assisted the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) with educational
assistance. Keziya Chikwati is one of the beneficiaries of the education
assistance given to children in Murehwa. An excited Ms Gweshe said
she was so proud of Keziya who has just passed her 'O' Level examinations,
attaining 2B's and 5C's from Kambarami Secondary School.
Ms Gweshe said
SAHRIT would continue to assist Keziya with financial assistance
for her 'A' Level examinations.
According to
Zimbabwe government figures there are about 50,000 child-headed
households. In addition, statistics by the National AIDS Council
(NAC) reveal that 1.3 million children under the age of 15 years
have lost one or both parents to the virus.
Visit the Kubatana.net
fact
sheet
Audio File
Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.
TOP
|
