The government will drill and donate boreholes for indigenous churches in a move meant to improve water, sanitation and hygiene services within the white garment churches.
St Luke's Apostolic Ejiwel Jekenishen, under Arch-bishop Phillip Pferedzai would be the first recipient under the Council for Churches in Africa banner, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Manicaland Misheck Mugadza said.
Speaking during the church's annual passover gathering at their Maunganidze congregational headquarters in Chipinge, Mugadza said indigenous churches were among beneficiaries of the presidential borehole drilling scheme.
“We have heard that women and youths struggle to have water during your annual festivities at this headquarters,” Mugadza said.
“With President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa's borehole drilling programme, we will drill two boreholes to address the water shortages that the church had been experiencing for decades.
“It is the duty of our government to make sure that indigenous churches have been transformed to suit best standards and ensure basic needs are addressed forthright.
“We are also happy that churches have taken heed of First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa's initiatives that are aimed at transforming both women and youths amongst communities.
“Your commitment as churches to fight drug and substance abuse complement the government's stance on zero tolerance to the scourge.”
Mugadza said the Council for Churches in Africa's partnership with institutions of higher learning like the Zimbabwe Open University and charity organisations like Angel of Hope Foundation goes a long way in empowering women.
Council for Churches in Africa's founding president Arch-bishop Rocky Moyo said his organisation is engaging indigenous churches so that they conform to the laws of the country.
“We have embarked on educational awareness, engagement and familiarisation exercises with churches to ascertain if they operate within the confines of the law,” Moyo said.
“We are happy that the St Luke's Apostolic Ejiwel Jekenishen Church has been working to empower women and children, among other vulnerable groups.
This year's gathering saw over 75 000 congregants attend the passover feast (feast of the unleavened bread).