Empowerment projects get Govt’s blessing
GOVERNMENT will support initiatives by civic society organisations which uplift and empower the less privileged members of society, Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Monica Mutsvangwa has said.
In a speech read on her behalf by deputy director for provincial affairs in her office Mr Lucky Bhasopo at the launch of Simukai’s 2018-2022 Strategic Plan, Minister Mutsvangwa said there was need to support programmes for vulnerable groups such as children and youths.
Through its five-year plan, Simukai, a non governmental organisation, seeks to roll out a plan that ensures the targeted groups are brought up in safe and friendly environments.
“To this end, Government stands committed to assist Simukai in the roll out of similar interventions in other cities to ensure that children and youths are brought up in safe and child-friendly environments,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
She commended the organisation’s work on children’s rights.
“It is my conviction that Government will continue to support and complement the efforts and interventions of civic society organisations in the country,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
She described the strategic plan as a compass that would be important in guiding the organisation to deliver on its planned projects within the set timeframe.
“The strategic plan is a model which will enhance issues of relevance, timeliness and responsiveness to the ever-dynamic community development arena in pursuance of unlocking the best value for money of programme funds for the upliftment and empowerment of the intended beneficiaries, which include children and youths,” she said.
In her remarks, Simukai provincial social welfare officer for Manicaland Mrs Charity Ndadzungira said 76 percent of children in the province were turned away from school for failing to pay fees, which was compromising the quality of education the children were getting.
“Manicaland has the highest rate of children being sent away from school for not paying school fees,” she said.
She said some of the behavioural issues affecting children were a manifestation of the problem.
“Cases of juvenile delinquency are on the rise, with cases of theft and sexual abuse topping the list,” said Mrs Ndadzungira. “The family structure is failing to contain and manage children, hence, the implementation of interventions to help curb behavioural problems.”
Mrs Ndadzungira said Simukai would seek to demonstrate how education was an empowerment tool if it was of high quality, consistent, relevant and in-corporative.
Simukai’s intervention plan has been divided into four clusters — advocacy and communication; economic strengthening; health; and psychosocial support and education.
The economic strengthening cluster will empower children with skills to enhance and supplement household income.
The health and psychosocial support cluster speaks to the need to sensitise and educate children on the importance of health issues to improve their well-being.