The Sunday Mail
Enacy Mapakame
Business Reporter
People in developing countries, Zimbabwe included, are likely to feel the strain of Covid-19 than their counterparts in developed countries.
Zimbabwe in particular had already been in the throes of a challenging economic environment.
Such times call for additional support to meet healthcare needs, food security and nutritional needs, as well as access to basic education.
And the Rotary Club has been chipping in to improve the livelihood of common citizens and the less privileged. Their efforts have been targeting six key areas – water and sanitation; basic education; economic and community development; maternal and child health; disease prevention and treatment; as well as peace, conflict prevention or resolution. Accordingly, newly appointed president of the Rotary Club of Highlands, Ms Colleta Mudondo, who will be serving until June 30, 2021, has her work cut out. As she assumes the big role of leading the Rotary Club of Highlands, Ms Mudondo says this is also an honour for her as the organisation has shown confidence in her leadership skills and potential.
“I was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow recognition this year for consistent outstanding service. Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary International it is a prestigious award and I hope to put this knowledge and skills to good use.”
Ms Mudondo wants to see communities that are empowered and can sustain themselves economically at individual household level to community level.
“We will look at projects that address the challenges our communities face,” she said in an interview with The Sunday Mail Business last week.
One of the major projects already underway include the development of facilities at a school in Muzarabani, which will be transformed into an examination centre. This will assist students in the area who currently walk for over 10 kilometres to the nearest exam centre.
“There are minimum requirements that any school should meet for it to be an exam centre, and we are making provisions to ensure this school is upgraded to an exam centre and save the children in that area from walking long distances during exam period,” she said.
The club is also targeting to work on community borehole repairs while nurturing talent and skills among the club’s members.
Apart from networking and inculcating leadership skills, the club will also assist local communities with basic business management skills as they nurture entrepreneurial skills. Rotary is a global network of 1,2 million members from around globe who come together for a common goal — that is to create lasting change worldwide.
The Rotary is made up of three parts, Our Clubs, Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation. Rotary Club of Highlands was established in 1967 as the third club to be formed in Harare and currently has a membership of 35 professionals.
“These clubs unite dedicated people to exchange ideas, build relationships and take action together, something that one may be unable to do as an individual,” said Ms Mudondo.
Since 1970, the Rotary Club of Highlands has undertaken numerous community projects to improve the livelihoods of people. This year’s theme “Rotary Opens Opportunities” seeks to encourage Rotarians to take advantage of the networking opportunities to do projects that change lives and develop leadership skills. For the Rotary Clubs, this year is unique, especially with the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Said Ms Mudondo: “Our club will continue to focus on projects that address community problems. Currently there is the Covid-19 pandemic.
