Two Polish businessman have come to the rescue of Bubi villagers in Matabeleland North by sinking boreholes to alleviate water challenges as well as boost food security in the face of climate change-induced drought and general water shortages in the area.
The El Nino drought has begun ravaging communities, killing livestock due to starvation and water shortages.
The crisis has attracted the attention of Polish businessmen Tomasz Blaszak, Adam Golinski and Agnieszka Zyzman who have pooled resources together to alleviate challenges faced by Bubi villagers.
The businessmen are also undertaking a water and sanitation project targeting Mucklenuck Primary School in Inyathi.
The project will be replicated across the country, they said.
Błaszak, the owner of the Polish Power Generators Manufacturers said the water and sanitation projects were key in assisting Zimbabwe to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“This includes but is not limited to; ending poverty and hunger, promotion of sustainable agriculture, sustainable water and sanitation, inclusive sustainable economic growth and combating the impacts of climate change,” Blaszak said in their joint statement.
“The vision to reach out to the most needy parts of the world especially in places affected by drought has sparked instant desire and zeal to drill boreholes around Zimbabwe especially in schools situated in remote areas.”
His project partner, Zyzman, said they sought to boost food security in the face of ever changing climate change conditions.
"We will also provide training in the operation and maintenance of the boreholes,” Zyzman said.
“We believe this project will serve as an alternative long term solution to water scarcity and food insecurity.
“We are confident that this project will have a lasting positive impact on the schools and communities in Bubi.”
Golinski said they were targeting schools because children were the most affected by water shortages.
“After my last visit to Zimbabwe a few months ago, I realised that some students are forced to leave the school to fetch water and the hygiene standards have deteriorated due to droughts caused by climatic phenomenon such as the El Nino effect,” Golinski said.
“We believe that drilling boreholes will provide the schools with reliable sources of clean water, which will improve the health and wellbeing of students, staff and the community.”