Zienzele built our first community center in Berejena, the most densely populated area where we work, but our presence extends over a pretty substantial geographical area (with poor roads), so from the start of this endeavor, it was clear that to provide for all of our Zienzele communities, we would need to build three Centers to serve our three main groups of villages. This second center will serve the villages of Mupagamuri, Chikofa, Mushai, Mawadze, and Chamatutu in the Chiware region.
The Chiware Center is in a special location for us: this has *always* been a central place where our Zienzele groups gather, rain or shine. And when we say ‘always’ we mean it! Miriam Chauke in Chiware was our very first Zienzele coordinator and one of Prisca’s initial contacts in this region (back in the Earthwatch days!)- Zienzele caregivers have been gathering here for over twenty years!
We are so pleased that we were able to sponsor and complete the construction of our second Center so soon after the first! This was possible through the exceptional generosity of private donors and thanks to a grant from the Keepers of the Earth Fund administered through the Cultural Survival organization.
Our third regional community has already identified the site where they would like their center to be built: please consider making a donation to support the construction of this third and final Zienzele community center at Rungai! Our goal is to raise $15,000 to cover the costs of materials like roofing, windows, doors, cement, nails, fence, rafters; and to pay specialized craftsmen for their work.
the water reservoir is the first step!
From start to finish, construction happened in ONE MONTH- amazing!
watering our new Moringa trees, which will provide shade, beans, animal food, and fire wood! HUGE thanks to Trees for the Future for providing the seeds our women have raised into seedlings!
sanitary facilities: hard work but VERY important!
over the winter, the Zienzele folks in the villages around this Center made all 8500 bricks themselves!
the cooking structure taking shape!
By October 6th, the walls for the main building were rising…
…. and by October 21st, the finishing touches - windows and doors in, roof on, the Chiware Center is all but complete!