African Ambassadors support World Vision economic development projects in Chihota

Fifteen African Ambassadors accredited to Zimbabwe showcased their spirit of Ubuntu (humanity) by pulling resources together and contributed to the construction of the Materera Chicken Abattoir meant to boost production and profit for the poultry project in Chihota.

The abattoir which was commissioned a couple of days before the 2018 Africa Day celebrations will benefit more than 2500 children through various development initiatives such as rehabilitating school infrastructure, supporting small livestock production by orphans among others from the profits of the chicken project.

The Dean of African Ambassadors, DRC Ambassador Mwawapanga Mwana Nanga said they were partnering with the community so that they reap rewards from Africa’s demographic dividend, the children. He said there is need to educate children so that the continent benefits from them hence their decision to support the project.

“We made a historic decision as ambassadors to pull means together, to help a community of brothers and sisters here in Zimbabwe. We have the youngest population in the world and we need to educate these children so that, they probably become the next Bill Gates, who knows?” he said.

World Vision Zimbabwe National Director, Emmanuel Isch emphasized that WV values partnerships in implementing development projects and their main emphasis is on children.

“We focus on children, we want to make sure we can see the well-being of children improve.  As we focus on children we need to work with families and communities. One of the basic principles that we use, especially when it comes to livelihoods is: if parents are able to generate income they will be able to also better meet the needs of their family,” he said.  

The construction of the abattoir was a collaborative effort from various partners including Irvine’s Zimbabwe which has been providing technical oversight, training and guidance. The company’s Administrative Executive, David Hasluck, said they were using poultry production as an instrument for development countrywide, not only to improve nutrition and food in rural areas but also to make food production locally sustainable in every part of the country. Hasluck said.

Minister of State for Mashonaland East, David Musabayana welcomed the establishment of an abattoir saying it will go a long way in reducing costs for the project. Prior to the construction the project was losing US$2000 of the proceeds in transportation, slaughter and storage costs for each batch of chickens. At an average of six batches per year the project will be saving approximately US$12,000 annually. 

Matera Poultry Project Chair, Josephine Rwambiwa expressed delight on the abattoir saying school children are already gaining hands-on knowledge on how to raise small livestock through practical learning.

The abattoir was constructed at the cost of US$50,000 with funding support from African Ambassadors, World Vision Zimbabwe’s Chihota Greenfield program, in collaboration with Irvine’s Zimbabwe including the community.

Chief Chihota applauded the community, partners and the Ambassadors for the efforts in developing the area.