Set up database of needy people: Shamu
MASHONALAND West Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Webster Shamu has called for the setting up of a provincial database of underprivileged people to benefit from various charities.
This comes after a successful hosting of this year’s Mayor’s Cheer Fund in Chinhoyi recently.
The fund saw four children’s and old people’s homes in Chinhoyi benefiting.
At least 75 underprivileged people from 15 wards benefited.
Cde Shamu said there was need for a provincial database of people who are in need of help as that will inform ways of sourcing help for them.
He said the cheer funds should evolve from being Christmas events to assisting the needy all year round.
“As a province there is need to come up with a database of people who are in serious need of help so that we can address the challenges they will be having in an informed manner,” he said.
“What the mayor and his committee are doing is commendable and a worthy cause. However, this event must not only happen during Christmas times, we need to do it at least thrice a year or whenever there is need because there are a lot of people who are in need of different help we have to address,” he said.
Chinhoyi Mayor’s Cheer Fund GOAT producers have expressed optimism that Government’s production target of two million goats per year is achievable.
Production is currently at 400 000 annually.
In an interview, Farmers Economic Growth Trust national field officer Mr Vimbayi Chingodza said efforts are underway to commercialise the existing goat stock and improve quality and quantity.
“We are aiming at strengthening our Meet The Farmer Campaign to equip and empower the goat farmers with goat husbandry skills and value chain management skills. We will not only concentrate on low rainfall regions like 3,4 and 5 but attention will also be given to region 1 and 2’s A1 and communal farmers,” Chingodza said.
They have held numerous workshops in various parts of Northern regions, including Mukumbura, Rushinga, Mt Darwin and Mbire. chairman Mr Godfrey Mavhangeni said this year’s cheer fund showed a great improvement as the fund managed to expand from helping at homes to help the five selected people from each of the 15 wards
“We used to give homes only, but this year we have extended our hand to the general community and we hope that come next year, we are going to increase the number as people who are in need are many,” he said.
Cde Shamu challenged children to take care of their parents as there are some who seem to have neglected their parents leaving them to lead miserable lives.
“Let’s value our culture and support our parents, know where we came from as these parents were very instrumental in raising us,” he said.
Cde Shamu also took a swipe at the corporate world saying they should do more to support the needy in the areas they operate.
Meanwhile, charitable homes in Chinhoyi have called for support to fund self sustaining projects so that they move away from the donor syndrome.
In interviews, the homes in Chinhoyi said funding for projects will go a long way in addressing some of the challenges they are encountering.
Good Shepherd Children’s Home coordinator Mr Chamanga Timothy said the organisation is 99 percent reliant on donations.
“We are in need of a piece of land to do farming and other income generating projects. Some of the children have received training in self-help skills. So if given the start-up resources, we can grow and sustain some of our operations, “said.