Thanks to the groundwater borehole project near Harare, young women from the Shamwari Yemwanasikana (SYS) center have access to clean water.
The groundwater borehole project financed by the Jansen Primesteps Foundation was implemented by PfAH for the organization Shamwari Yemwanasikana (SYS) in Harare.
Background
Shamwari Yemwanasikana (in Shona "friend of the girl child") is a legally registered non-governmental aid organization that campaigns for the rights of girls and young women in families, schools and communities and promotes their empowerment.
Traditional marriage in Zimbabwe is hard on women. Women are often married off at a very young age (as young as 14) and become the property of the man. Depending on his profession and financial situation, the suitor pays for his future wife with cows, goats and cash. This marital status is called "lobola". The man often has several wives at the same time. The woman can neither divorce nor leave. Many women are forced to forego education and must obey their husbands. The wife's job consists of having children, getting food and hard field work. If the wife flees, she loses her children to her husband. Young women are also repeatedly sexually abused by family members.
SYS tries to offer such women emergency aid or legal support.
After meeting the SYS team, we were impressed by the work they do.
We wanted to support SYS as the organization is in the process of building an emergency aid and shelter center as an alternative "home" for young female victims of abuse and violence. The overall aim of SYS is to protect these people from further potential harm and to help them develop their skills.
Helping people to help themselves
The borehole will not only provide water for domestic use, but will also be used for agricultural purposes. Thanks to the groundwater, the produce from the vegetable gardens tended by the young women can be made available to the home all year round (not just during the sometimes insufficient rainy season) or sold at the market. Access to the water should also be granted to the neighboring local population by mutual agreement.
The young women can wash their self-produced reusable sanitary towels through the borehole. SYS is also planning to produce sanitary towels for the market. Later, washing and showering facilities can also be operated with an additional water tank.
Process / Procedure
After the preliminary work and clarifications from Switzerland, PfAH member Jean Theiler flew to Zimbabwe three weeks ago despite the adverse coronavirus times in order to clarify all legal issues associated with the project and to manage and supervise the drilling on site. The information and statements from SYS regarding ownership issues and government permits were checked by a lawyer in Harare and the responsibilities for the subsequent operation and maintenance of the pump were settled.
We received an acceptable offer from a borehole company in Harare. After the contract was awarded, work began on site.
It was very difficult to drill due to the hard rock. The drill head repeatedly hit hard rock. After 65 meters, it was finally possible to get water on 29 April 2021. As soon as the precious water began to gush from underground, there were cries of joy, cheers, singing and dancing from the young women who had been eagerly waiting to witness this moment. As soon as the fine sediments have settled, it will be possible to determine how much water the borehole can supply each day.
The solar-powered groundwater pump, a solar panel and the water tank were organized immediately and delivered by the drilling company. This equipment will be professionally installed by the drilling company. The pump can be put into operation in about two weeks. The young women will later design the area around the pump together with a master builder. A fence with a lockable door to protect the system still needs to be erected.
The field work for this project was carried out by Jean Theiler with her extensive practical know-how. The rest of the PfAH team helped with planning and logistical support from Switzerland.
Conclusion
The borehole will significantly improve the lives of the young women at the SYS center thanks to clean water and make gardening more efficient. This is very important for the acquisition of skills. SYS, together with the young women and the community, guarantee us that the borehole will be well used and maintained. The project is monitored and evaluated every six months by the association Projekte für Afrikahilfe.
We are delighted that PfAH was able to realize this project thanks to the sponsorship of the Jansen Primesteps Foundation.
Partner
Jansen PrimeSteps Foundation
Shamwari Yemwanasikana (SYS)