ZIMBABWE
WATER & WELLBEING
the local church in Africa
Summary
The Church of God in Zimbabwe is an agent of holistic transformation. Challenged by water crises, lack of access to health care, poor sanitation, and cyclical disasters, believers are bearing the hope of the Gospel in tangible and intangible ways. As cholera outbreaks frequently impact the most vulnerable, this project partnered with local leaders to reduce the risk to waterborne illnesses by constructing 38 latrines and 4 borehole wells.
BACKGROUND
Cholera outbreaks wreak havoc on society in a myriad of ways. Without access to adequate health care, cholera is a severe illness that threatens death to men, women, and children. Outbreaks of cholera often shut down society, placing pressure on the livelihoods of daily wage earners and market vendors. With regards to spirituality, the sick commonly turn to traditional healers for the miraculous when lifesaving medicine is not accessible. Therefore, the Church of God in Zimbabwe looked to reduce the risk of cholera outbreaks across the nation by addressing the root causes: lack of access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities.
STRATEGY
The location of each latrine and borehole was selected by local Church of God leadership. Prioritization was given to communities where there was (1) a Church of God present, (2) a significant population lacking access to clean water and sanitation, and (3) a high frequency of cholera outbreaks.
PROJECT SPECIFICS
Latrine construction took an average of five days and included a toilet, handwashing station, and restroom facility. The installation of a borehole required only about three days of labor and included the well, stand, water tank, and solar panels.
LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS
Local Church of God leadership partnered with national health care workers to assist with the design and construction of proper latrines and boreholes. Local church communities joined in these efforts by cooking meals for the project laborers.
FUTURE PLANS
Beyond reducing the risk to waterborne illnesses, boreholes have brought life to communities in many ways. One unique opportunity the Church of God in Zimbabwe hopes to pursue is drawing on fresh water from the boreholes to support income-generating gardens.
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
“Every $1 invested in risk reduction and prevention can save up to $15 in post-disaster recovery.”
—UNDRR—
Changes in the climate and environment are leading to an increase in both the frequency and intensity of disaster. In Zimbabwe, floods, droughts, wildfires, and cyclones threaten the survival and wellbeing of many families and communities. Additionally, secondary disasters—waterborne illnesses—kill more people than the initial weather-related catastrophe and pose an elevated risk to children and elderly. Therefore, the Church’s investment in latrines and boreholes to reduce the risk of cholera, and other waterborne illnesses, is a wise way to both care for the most vulnerable and promote the wellbeing of the next generation.
The following table offers a glimpse of the degree of risk faced by communities in Zimbabwe to various types of Disaster. More information about disaster risks in Zimbabwe, and how to reduce them, can be found at ThinkHazard.org
RISK OF RIVER FLOODS
For more information visit ThinkHazard.org
RISK OF WATER SCARCITY
For more information visit ThinkHazard.org
RISK OF WILDFIRES
For more information visit ThinkHazard.org
RISK OF CYCLONES
For more information visit ThinkHazard.org
Thank you for walking alongside the Church of God in Zimbabwe!
For more information, contact Global Strategy Projects at 800.848.2464 or GSProjects@chog.org.
