H Metro

Villagers grateful for footbridge

- Mary Mutamiri

MUREWA villagers, whose children and relatives drowned in Shavanhowe River, have welcomed the Shavanhowe River Footbridge.

Since 2000, over 15 people have drowned while trying to cross the river.

“My Grade Three daughter, Sharron Murandu, drowned in the river in 2017 during the rainy season,” said Honest Murandu.

“I was heartbroke­n to lose my child at such a tender age and I almost decided to relocate to a different area because I couldn’t master the courage to accept the fact that handisisin­a mwana.

“Today, as a parent who is a victim, I really feel honoured by the Rotary Club and their partners for this huge project.

“Honestly, we have been remembered and we really appreciate it.

“It’s now safe for everyone, especially our children, to go school during the rainy seasons.”

Gogo Mutasa, who lost her two children, said:

“My two children drowned in the Shavanhowe River some time ago while trying to cross from our village to the shopping centre and the pain is still haunting me.

“We didn’t think that there are people out there who will take our grievances into considerat­ion.

“We really acknowledg­e VaMagolisi nebasa guru ravakabata and also we appreciate and thank the Rotary Club and its partners for this footbridge.

“It’s now easy, especially for me at this old age, to take my grandchild­ren to clinics.

“I have seven disabled grandchild­ren that I look after, before the constructi­on of this bridge I couldn’t take them to clinics nekuti rwizi urwu rwunonyudz­a.”

Another villager, Getrude Wadzvinya, said:

“Personally, I’m really excited, I am a business-minded person and all this time I couldn’t do anything because I was afraid to cross the river, from where I live, to the growth point.

“Now, it’s all history, there is nothing to worry about because now we are able to cross any time, any day, from one point to the other.

“Many thanks to the Rotary Club and VaMagolis vakamira nesu.”

 ?? ?? SOME of the villagers who lost their relatives to drowning in Shavanhowe River
SOME of the villagers who lost their relatives to drowning in Shavanhowe River

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