Muntuloko Mwembe
FOR some, the term orphanage brings sad memories of a burden in the community. The story of Kabwe Children’s home under Chief Pashu in Binga has more positive than negative perceptions in peoples’ minds as the facility has opened doors for development.
The institution that was established in 2014 and home to 21 Children with the youngest, a 6 months old while the oldest is 17, has created shared infrastructure where the local community is benefiting.
The Hope Trust and Ministries run an orphanage running under the name Kabwe Children’s Home has drilled a borehole, established Muboola Community Garden where several households are beneficiaries. It is also planning to build a Skills Training Centre where the children from the orphanage will be equipped with skills for self-sustenance when they leave the children’s home.
‘’ This will also include youth from the district and beyond as the orphanage is situated within the people. In fact this is the reason why we chose to bring the orphanage deep in rural areas,” said Jabulani Mudenda the founder and Director Hope Trust Zimbabwe.
Apart from shared infrastructure, the orphanage has employed 10 local community members on a permanent basis.
“We have 10 local people and we are set to employ more people when our skills and Vocational Training Center opens. It is our policy that we consider seeking for skilled personnel elsewhere when we have none from the local community,” he added.
Speaking to The Zambezi Times one woman who preferred anonymity expressed gratitude to Hope Ministries and Hope Trust Zimbabwe for establishing an orphanage in Pashu as the centre has brought clean and piped within their locality.
“Wakatulumina nemba, maanzi mabotu twalinowajanayi kono tunywa mabotu mwayi. (We are happy that the facility is in our community, this year has been different as we have access to clean and piped water courtesy of Kabwe Children’s home).
