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Cyber technology for rural Mhakwe
The Standard (Zimbabwe)
July 23, 2006

http://www.thestandard.co.zw/viewinfo.cfm?linkid=11&id=4148

CHIMANIMANI - A massive project that will connect villagers to the information highway is taking shape in Mhakwe, 150 km south of Mutare.

Reuben Tinofa, the treasurer of the Mhakwe Development Association, boasts that they are on the verge of "imparting 21st Century skills and tools" to villagers in this impoverished section of Zimbabwe's Eastern Highlands.

"We are building a skills base here in computers and digital equipment for members of our community," Tinofa, the custodian of the association's digital audio and video equipment, told The Standard.

"We're moving with the times and computer knowledge and skills are assets people must have in the 21st Century . . . and we're getting them."

Tinofa has every reason to be pleased.

He is involved in the establishment of a multi-purpose community centre financed by the WK Kellogg Foundation of the United States at a cost of nearly $1 billion.

The centre is being designed to promote cultural heritage and indigenous knowledge systems and documentation facilities — in addition to the provision of modern communications.

It is a tripartite project involving the Kellogg Foundation, the Chimanimani Rural District Council and Africa University, the Methodist-related tertiary institution in Mutare.

Senior Kellogg officials from the US are scheduled to visit Mhakwe later this week to assess progress so far on the centre and review several other projects the foundation has sponsored in recent years in Chimanimani and Bulilima-Mangwe in Matabeleland South.

The Chimanimani centre, which is set to receive 20 computers from the sponsors to kick-off operations, will be run through the Mhakwe Development Centre.

"The equipment we already have and what we have been promised is generating so much interest among members of our community," Tinofa, who also heads Mhakwe Primary School, said.

The project will be funded for a total of US$975 000 over a two-year period. The funds, to be channelled through Africa university, will be disbursed in two tranches — an initial grant of $660 million (US$660 000) in 2006-7 and the remainder, $315 million (US$315 000) in 2007-8.

Young people in Mhakwe Ward, who comprise about 40% of the population, and women, who make up a majority, are expected to be the main beneficiaries of the project.

"We are pleased to report that there is a strong involvement in capacity-building at grass-root levels with projects like this," said Oswald Dirwayi, the development facilitator for the tripartite partnership - Africa University/Kellogg Foundation/Chimanimani Rural District Council.

Joseph Harahwa,the chief executive officer of the Chimanimani Rural District Council, also lauded Kellogg's approach to rural development, saying its "bottom-up" approach ensures greater involvement at grassroots level.

Harahwa said: "Unlike other organisations, the Kellogg people are willing to work with existing structures to enable ordinary people, through a bottom-up approach, achieve higher levels of development."

The multi-purpose community centre project is not a stand alone development; it will complement several other capacity-building programmes in the district funded by Kellogg.

For example, the visiting Kellogg officials would be expected to review the Murimindishe Herbal Garden, which promotes both modern and traditional systems of health delivery.

"We are using our indigenous knowledge (in medicines) to help take care of our health needs," said Edward Tangayi Mukazhi, one of the individuals behind the herbal garden initiative.

"Trees such as the Mupfura, Mukamba, Moringa and Mupomboshori have curative properties for the treatment of common ailments," said Mukazhi, who is councillor for Mhakwe Ward. "This herbal garden was a family property. I have turned it over for the benefit of our community."

The Kellogg Foundation, based in Battle Creek, Michigan, operates in seven countries in southern Africa; Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.

Through its Integrated Rural Development Programme, the foundation funds projects through an initiative aimed at capacity building in rural communities.

The Kellogg Foundation, according to its spokesperson, was established in 1930 "to help people help themselves through the practical application of knowledge and resources to improve their quality of life and that of future generations".

To achieve impact, the foundation targets its grants to specific areas - including health, food systems and rural development, youth, education, philanthropy and volunteerism.

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