Bulawayo feeding scheme confident about the future

Written by Lewis Jones, ZDDT Field Correspondent Tuesday, 26 July 2011 14:18

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe – Barely eighteen months ago, the Burombo feeding scheme for vulnerable children was just an idea being bandied about by a group of concerned people living at the cluster of dilapidated Burombo Hostels in disadvantaged Mzilikazi Township, Ward Eight.

The Burombo Feeding Scheme Association members pose with an intern from Germany.

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Back then, the Committee that runs the scheme relied upon personal resources from individual members and the generosity of surrounding churches for the  project’s survival. Beneficiaries were fed lunch comprising thick maize porridge, cabbage and gravy on four days of the week, depending upon availability of funding or donations in kind.

Enter ZDDT, nine months ago, with its Social Institutions Profiling Programme. On learning about the Feeding Scheme’s plight, the Trust dispatched its Field Correspondent to investigate, with a view to assisting by posting an appeal in the form of a story on its well visited website

Pursuant to this effort and with the excellent linkage networks that the Trust has, over the years, developed with concerned partners, a consistent benefactor was secured to provide food-stuffs needed to keep the scheme running. This project, which is properly organised, registered and constituted, now provides supplementary feeding on four days a week, for children infected or affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The scheme also assists a handful of elderly beneficiaries.

Looking to the future, the Burombo Feeding Scheme Association plans to build premises that would house a day care and feeding centre under one roof. Presently, most of the children it cares for are deprived of basic schooling, while meals are prepared in the open on wood fires. The Association has approached Councillor for the area, Mr. M J Sibanda for assistance to secure the piece of land needed and to facilitate in procedure pertaining to the Local Authority’s by-laws. Suitable well-wishers for this project are now being sought.

Added to these plans, the Association wishes to embark upon an entertainment programme for the children numbering 286, who are seriously disadvantaged. This would entail taking them on bus or train trips to places of interest, such as the Victoria Falls, Great Zimbabwe or the Eastern Highlands. Speaking on the subject, the Association’s Secretary for welfare, Mrs. Makalima said; “Most of the children have not had the opportunity to travel out of this neighbourhood. Such trips would provide a mind broadening experience for the children, besides giving them a chance to see some of the wonders of the
world, situated right here in our country.”

In retrospect, one cannot but notice that these plans, coupled with achievements of the Association, are a clear indication of its determination to succeed. But most important of all, they demonstrate the vital aspect of a Community that has decided to do something positive about their circumstances, by taking ownership over these, while seeking most appropriate solutions.

The Burombo Feeding Scheme Association may be contacted care of The Zimbabwe Development Democracy Trust, 12a, Park Road, Suburbs. Bulawayo. Telephones: +263 9 232616, +263 9 230017,

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