About the Project
The project consisted of addressing community health needs by constructing a borehole to provide access to clean water and providing medications and basic medical supplies to community members.
Location
Norton, Katanga, Zimbabwe
Quick Project Stats
| Funding Date | February 2024 |
| Luena Investment | $1,500 |
| CBO Partner | Simuka Africa Youth Association |
| Village | Norton |
| Country | Zimbabwe |
| # of Children Impacted | 3,900 |
| Community Contribution | US $530 in addition to labor towards borehole repair and maintenance and gardening |
Limited Access to Clean Water Leaves Children Vulnerable to Medical Issues
Most of Norton’s water comes from polluted streams, ponds, and watering holes, so the city has struggled with cholera outbreaks for years. Other water-borne illnesses in the area include typhoid, diarrhea, and bilharzia (aka schistosomiasis – caused by parasitic intestinal worms). This past year, cholera cases exploded, and the disease is now considered a national health emergency. In response, the Norton City Council began rationing the little water it is able to purify, and water is now often available only once a week from community taps. Our Norton children frequently miss school and Simuka-sponsored program meetings due to illness. Simuka Africa also lacks health supplies to treat children and families in their programs who suffer from injuries, fevers, rashes, and other basic health issues, and they do not have a staff person who knows how to properly administer such medical care or analyze more serious cases for referral to a clinic. Many medical issues, such as pneumonia, which can claim lives in these conditions, are easily treatable with inexpensive antibiotics. Mothers of our program beneficiaries suffer greatly when their children are sick, and they have a strong hope that we can develop this health initiative.
Multi-faceted Health Initiative Improves Community Well-being
The donation from Luena Foundation was used to acquire medical kits and for the training of staff on how to administer basic medical supplies. The medical kit consisted of chlorine tablets to disinfect water, antibiotics, de-worming medicine, and basic first aid supplies like bandages, pain relievers, and diarrhea medications. In addition, two staff members will receive training from the Red Cross Society. With this kit and staff, Simuka Africa was able to serve 150 households (1,050 people) directly, and 500 households (3,500 people) indirectly through health education. Those targeted will be households of children and youth who are acquiring services at Simuka’s library facilities and through the girls and boys club initiatives.
Secondly, a community borehole was drilled to enable the community to access clean water. The borehole serves approximately 700 households. The organization has formed Community Water Committees who are trained in basic borehole maintenance.
Thirdly, Simuka Africa established a small organic vegetable garden to produce nutritious food for the children in its programs as well as generate income for program costs.
Meet our Partner Community-Based Organization
Simuka Africa Youth Association is a registered voluntary charitable organisation established in response to the poverty, gender-based violence, and limited access to educational programs impacting at-risk girls and marginalized youth of Zimbabwe.
To learn more about our partner organization, click here.
