Orphanage faces bleak future
THE future of Young Africa Transformation Trust Children's Home, a compound orphanage school in Mount Hampden's Chigomo brickmaking community is in doubt.
The school is located in a socially depressed environment where its 70 children, ranging between the ages of four and 17 years, are not only subjected to extreme poverty but are also exposed to prostitution and crime.
The situation could deteriorate if the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works does not implement a relocation programme for residents under the expansion of Greater Harare, which will see a proposed new city in Mount Hampden, Nyabira and parts of Mazowe.
According to a statement on the ministry's website, a six-storey structure will serve as the centrepiece of a new city spanning approximately 13 000 hectares.
The city will include residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, cultural, and retail spaces as well as a lake, international airport, and other government buildings, such as, a new Reserve Bank, State House, the Supreme and High courts.
Human rights lawyer Jamela Lizwe said: “When you are putting a plan in action before you even enrol it, you have to be sure that you have already made a contingent plan in terms of those who are likely to be affected, whilst development is welcome, it should not be disruptive in terms of livelihoods.”
While speculation has been mounting over expected returns and real estate opportunities in and around the new parliament area, not much is being said about the plight of the vulnerable children within proximity of the legislative building, who are being taken care of by volunteers who find themselves ill-equipped to cope with the ever-increasing number of orphans.
Recently, the school whose premises where previously used as a community beer hall received various goods in the form of donations consisting of sanitary wear, foodstuffs and toiletries from a group of socialites, who are using their social media presence to mobilise donations.
The voluntary group led by King Solo organises free sanitary wear programmes under the banner “Donate a Pad Campaign” for rural schoolgirls and other initiatives that target underprivileged communities.
Breeze Music, a local all-female acapella group, was also part of the entourage and thrilled the kids with some of their songs, including the hit "Masaisai."
Fruit and shade trees, children’s literature, and a litter of rabbits were also given to the school so that they could begin an income-generating initiative.
"This generous gesture will go a long way in reducing the hardship that we are currently facing," Pastor Mike, the principal, said on the side-lines of the occasion.
“We are also seeking assistance in building proper ablution facilities as the children along with a staff of 10 volunteers, are currently sharing the same blair toilet, this is a huge challenge.
“We also want to start earning revenue so that we can pay our employees who are doing volunteer work," he added.
The school has a number of obstacles, amongst them lack of proper infrastructure for feeding the children as they have had to make do with an open air makeshift kitchen throughout the different seasons of the year.
Mike appealed for assistance in erecting a fence around the school to prevent crime and prostitution, which are rampant in the farming compound.