The Beacon school of MarondaMashanu

The road north out of Chivhu quickly lost the tar and turned to gravel interspersed with protrusions of granite and quartzite which required sudden avoidance tactics. Behind one of the granite boulders skulked three police, including one woman, waiting to ambush another Honda Fit overloaded with passengers. It would seem that they are falling back into their old ways of funding their salaries by slapping pointless fines onto drivers…in one case, for not displaying a road licence correctly, or having dirty tyres. All this is adding to the dissatisfaction among those we encounter with the current government. The temperature is rising

We negotiated the granite outcrops and tracked through the fields, avoiding the wandering cattle to arrive at MarondaMashanu Secondary School around midday. Mr Douglas Mazuma, the Headteacher, was there to welcome us with his beaming smile and quick laugh together with the local priest and others.

The site has proved to be one of the more challenging ones to locate a water source amid the hard igneous terrain. The first borehole failed to intercept any significant water, and my inspection showed it had already collapsed to 7m, filled with silt. 

Sandy and Mr Douglas Mazumba, the Headteacher, inspecting the collapsed borehole.

The careful geophysical survey carried out by Japhet from Rockwell drillers identified another site, finally, but 1.5 km from the school. We drilled here in April and, after dealing with complex structures, penetrated water bearing fissures below 80m. The testing and installation of the pump, the solar power, inverter, storage tanks, pipelines and seven tap stands were completed by Forster Irrigation contractors in June.

It must be noted that the community from the villages assisted in the back breaking work of digging the pipeline trench. The borehole now serves 10 villages in the vicinity where previously water was extracted from a poorly functioning hand pump or a scrape in the river bed, which is currently dry. It appears that the output is prodigious. On a sunny day, the school tanks are filled by 9am, so there is substantial water available for the school, the communities and their cattle herds.

The water tank at the school.

The representative from the villages, Mrs Edith Mudonhi provided a short report from the community on the benefit of the borehole. She says that lives have been positively changed, with some 300 households being supported ( around 2000 people), and about 800 cattle getting water from the source. The water is also being used to support funerals and memorial services and similar functions. With the wells and rivers failing, this has been a lifeline she reports.

Cattle drinking from one of the standpipe locations.

The school, however, is the primary beneficiary. It currently has a role of 233 students, an almost equal split of boys and girls, and 13 staff. In his report, Mr Mazumba set out the changes, which we visited. The extensive vegetable gardens were green and luscious with the students’ agricultural projects, and staff plots. The school was about to harvest the rape crop, similar to spinach, which will assist in feeding the learners. The piggery is thriving..and noisy with little piglets…and clean! They are planting an orchard with 100 donated fruit trees, and there are plans for a fishery and further ornamental plantings. 

Most impressively, the borehole site has been fenced and the headworks secured in a concrete chamber. A security hut and night security is provided…again a sign of the importance placed on this facility by the school and community.

In his report, Mr Mazumba states: “considering the demand of water in the school and the community, this project was a timely intervention. Some perennial streams have since gone temporal only during the rainy season, and currently there is no running stream in MarondaMashanu, and all the cattle are getting water from our borehole”.

The original water source in the dried up river bed.

He continues: “We would like to extend our profound thanks to TZABA for funding the borehole project. Had it not come in this manner we would have been in great distress. We also thank the responsible authority, the Anglican Diocese of Masvingo for their recommendations to have us receive the aid. May the grace of our Lord continue to bless you in all your endeavours”.

Our visit ended with the handover of a Chemistry Kit, a Weather Station, footballs, some pens and a donation of $500 towards extending the water projects and maintenance of the system. And of course, speeches and hand shaking ..and lunch of chicken, sadza and vegetables from the garden.

The developing vegetable garden.

As always, I am overwhelmed by their enthusiasm and determination in the face of such challenges…both the staff, the community and the students. It is always a privilege being the face of TZABA and our supporters to experience this engagement with those on the frontline of climate change. These are the true warriors. We salute you. Thank you for your courage and commitment.  May you continue to be a blessing to others. We are proud to play a small role in what you do. 

Water is life. Blessed are those who help it to flow to others.

Thank you for reading.

Sandy

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