By Maricho Reporter
A community that guarantees access to safe water and medical facilities witnesses socio-economic development and a healthy population.
This is the objective that Bridging Gaps Foundation (BGF) seeks to achieve. BGF aims to be a distinguished centre of hope for youths and rural communities.
Founded by philanthropic businessman, Mr Kudakwashe Tagwirei and his wife Sandra, BGF drilled boreholes and installed 6.2KV solar systems at Kushinga clinic, Kushinga primary and secondary schools, a development which is set to transform the lives of more than 1,500 households in Mutoko District.
The community also benefited from a free medical outreach being carried out by Mr Tagwirei’s Arundel Hospital.
Mr Tagwirei said water from the boreholes should be used to green the communities and create “centres of excellence”.
“This water should not be for drinking purposes only. Establish nutrition gardens so that you guarantee household food security. Schools should also do the same,” said Mr Tagwirei.
Nutrition gardens are directly linked to health services by providing access to fresh, nutrient-rich food, which can significantly improve the nutritional status of communities, particularly vulnerable groups like pregnant women and young children, thereby reducing malnutrition-related illnesses and improving overall health outcomes.
“People from this area must not beg but cultivate their own food since we’ve now guaranteed access to water,” Mr Tagwirei added.
Health workers often collaborate with nutrition garden initiatives to provide nutrition education on food selection, preparation, and dietary diversity.
The development by BGF, which is also a response to the devastating effects of the El Niño-induced drought sweeping across Zimbabwe and Southern Africa, fits within government’s Rural Development 8.0 model which seeks to eradicate poverty in all its forms.
The solar system has improved service delivery at Kushinga Clinic, according to Sinikiwe Umfana, a Primary Care Nurse at the clinic.
“As a clinic we stock medicines and collect specimens that must be stored in low temperatures and this solar system has helped us a lot,” she said.
BGF also donated 15 tonnes of mealie meal, 3,000 litres of cooking oil, sugar, salt and sugar beans to benefit 1500 households in Ward 26.
Mr Tagwirei, a devout Christian and a member of the Seventh Day Adventist, also pledged to build a church in the area on land provided by the local authority.
