Maonde wetlands brings hope to students
By Elizabeth Kucherera
Ten years ago Maonde wetlands in Sakubva Mutare was an idle piece of land. Most citizens from Sakubva were afraid of passing through that wetlands for fear of attacks from youths who lurked in wait for unsuspecting passers-by.
Today the area is a far cry form its yesteryear record. Maonde wetlands has been changed by “Sir Kaja” Courage Mabanja (30) and now boasts thriving farming activities spearheaded by Sir Kaja and the Young Farmer’s Club.
Young Farmer’s Club is an organization which helps community students with money for extra lessons through farming. The organization has 18 students who come and tend their crops. Red cabbage, onions, rape and covo are the crops they mainly grow for selling.
“I started ‘O’ Level lessons in Maonde, Sakubva in 2014 up to now but due to financial constraints I have not been able to complete my studies on time,” said Mabanja.
“I later on found that there are other students with my same poor background who also need to attend lessons but sometimes fail due to lack of money and l started this project of farming to earn an income.
“We started by buying seedlings for onward selling to other community farmers and raised enough money for horsepipes and pumps for irrigation to actually undertake farming activites ourselves,” said Mabanja.
One of the beneficiaries of the scheme, Tawanda Masekesa, a Form 4 student could not hide his happiness over this project and the.positive impact it has had on his educational life.
Masekesa said: “It was very difficult for me to attend extra lessons since my father abandoned us while I was five yeats of age. My mother has been our pillar but she struggles with school fees and providing food on the table.
“I am happy that l have found a clean way of raising money for my lessons.”
The Young Farmers Club is facing challenges of procuring chemicals and fertilizer for the crops.
“We are using natural compost as fertilizer and it’s very difficult for us since we need more time for lessons,” Mabanja said.
They are also looking for a bigger piece of land and also resources from well wishers to expand their business.
