Courses

Zimbabwe, Chiredzi Town

PROJECT AIM: to stimulate a change in hygiene behaviour of the target community through the use of the Community Health Club approach, thereby reducing the occurrence of Water and Sanitation related diseases, while stimulating the desire to improve local sanitation and water conditions.

CLEAN UP CAMPAIGN IN CHIREDZI URBAN

After the introduction of the CHC’s in Chiredzi urban, 8 campaigns to free the city of its litter burden were initiated.  Through joint efforts of the Community, Council, Local Businesses and NGO’s, 212 m3 of waste was collected and moved to the dumpsite. A new attitude to litter has now been fostered, and each household actively manages and recycles their waste.

  • Country: Zimbabwe
  • Period: 10 months 2010
  • Donor: OFDA
  • Partner: OXFAM
  • Province: Manicaland
  • District: Chiredzi
  • 5 Wards:
  • Number of Villages:180
  • Number of households: 17,045
  • Number of CHCs: 180
  • Number of Members: 17,045
  • Number of EHTs: 
  • Number of CHC facilitators: 30
  • Number of beneficiaries: 102,270
  • Cost of Project: US$111,312
  • Cost per beneficiary: US$1

Above: Chiredzi field volunteers: 3 of the 30 Community Based Facilitators who run the CHCs

SOCIAL AWARENESS

Sessions on HIV/AIDS and social awareness were held in all clubs. Close ties were developed between the Victim Friendly Unit of the local police force and other AIDS service organisations working in the area to ensure the necessary support was there for club members.

DECREASE IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Community facilitators (above) promote community awareness and management of social and health issues   networking with police and other  community services.

The Officer-in-Charge of Chiredzi Police reported that since the introduction of the Clubs there has been a sharp decline in abuse cases in the area.  He attributed this to the increased vigilance of the community following the sessions, and also to the fact that perpetrators now know abuse  is unacceptable and will be reported to the relevant authorities.

HYGIENE BEHAVIOUR CHANGE

Within 10 months the following new facilities were constructed:

  • 2,981 pot racks
  • 3044 new refuse pits
  • 2946 Tippy Taps
  • 617 nutrition gardens

Zim AHEAD staff, 2010:

Top Row: Nyasha Matembudze (PO),  Cecilia Chinengo (PO), Dr.  Juliet Waterkeyn (ED); F. Mutero (PO) Front Row: Morgan Haiza (PO), Canaan Makusha (PO); Regis Matimati (DP); Andrew Muringaniza (PM).

AMAZING RESULTS

The project aimed to target 16,000 beneficiaries, but this was surpassed to a figure of 17,045. Much of this can be attributed to the exceptional dedication of the Zimbabwe AHEAD Project Officers (above)

HIGH LEVEL OF HANDWASHING

On project completion it was noted that 90% of project beneficiaries had adopted handwashing with soap or ash, while the same percentage were also collecting, storing and dispensing of water in the recommended way.

HIGH SANITATION COVERAGE

The project stimulated a high appreciation of sanitation as shown by the construction of 1,230 latrines without subsidies, of which 235 were cement VIP latrines.

Reference: 

2010 Annual Report, page 6.

2010 Annual Report