U.S Funded Projects Transforming Lives of Zimbabweans
The American government is working with various organizations setting up projects that benefit local people.
WASHINGTON DC — U.S Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Bruce Wharton, says community projects funded by the United States government are transforming the lives of many Zimbabweans. Mr. Wharton, who has been visiting some of the projects in Binga, Matabeleland North province, told VOA Studio 7 in an interview that some of the programs relate to food security. He said the American government is working with various organizations in setting up crop cultivation schemes, dip tanks for cattle and dams in an attempt to tackle local people's challenges. “The idea there is that by creating these assets, people would better be able to deal with droughts.” Mr. Wharton said among some of the projects they visited was a public secondary school with dormitory facilities. “We believe it’s very important to make sure that kids especially girls can stay in school." He said they also participated in a jobs fair in Binga "so that high school student leavers would have some idea of what career options they have got, including the possibility of scholarships to attend universities in the United States under the US Students Achievers Program." Mr. Wharton noted that they visited Binga District Hospital where the USA government supports a program catering for HIV/AIDS related issues. Speaking about the impact of the programs on Zimbabweans, he said these community-driven schemes represent investment in local people. “Food security is a huge issue. We are trying to move away from emergency delivery of food supplies to people and give them the tools they need,” he said. In 2014, the U.S government provided about $160 million in assistance to Zimbabwe, with the bulk of the money being channeled towards public health.