“The agriculture initiative, which is processing surplus for the market, will clear the way for long-term sustainability of Hanwa Mission,” he said.
The Rev. Future Sibanda, pastor-in-charge and chaplain for Hanwa Mission United Methodist Church, said installing the solar system at the boreholes in June — at a cost of $1,000 per borehole — has been a savior to the institution and surrounding communities.
“During this COVID-19 pandemic, the villagers never stopped coming to collect water. They would come with ox-drawn scotch carts to collect the precious resource,” he said.
“The high-capacity boreholes (which provide 30,000 to 45,000 liters per day) are servicing 300 households with a population of more than 2,000 people from nearby villages and farms. This is in addition to 900 students from Hanwa’s primary and secondary schools and 22 teachers and their families.”
Sibanda, who spearheaded the agriculture initiative, said the boreholes are sustaining year-round irrigated crops on a one-hectare plot at the mission.
Gift Machanzi, headmaster at Hanwa Primary School, said the solar-powered boreholes have relieved the demand for water for the school and the surrounding communities.
“The school is able to have adequate water for its construction and agriculture project. COVID-19 etiquette demands personal hygiene, and the availability of running water from the water taps makes our lives easier in addressing the needs of the children,” Machanzi said.
Muchavanzei Changwesha, a village head in the surrounding Flint Farm community, said that about 80 people in 15 households in her community are benefiting from the borehole.
“Hanwa played a pivotal role in saving lives by enabling people to access clean water, thereby protecting them against water-borne diseases,” she said.
harvest corn to feed the children living there. When the well serving the orphanage ran dry in October, 2019 the Nyadire Connection drilled a new well that has extra capacity for some irrigation. From left are: Tarasana Nyazvache, Emmanuel Chiimba and Justice Chimbwanda. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.
Reevson Muchemwa, a villager who lives 5 kilometers (about 3 miles) from the mission, said Hanwa is the only place nearby with safe water.
“I use a scotch cart (because of the distance) to fetch water to drink and irrigate the few beds of vegetables in my garden to avert hunger. We do not have enough food. The drying up of water bodies is worsening the situation,” Muchemwa said.
