By Davison Marenga – In the heart of Mutoko, a district known for its vast mineral wealth, a troubling trend has emerged. Reports from the recent District Alternative Mining Indaba held in Mutoko convened by the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA), and The Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) have shed light on a disturbing increase in the exploitation of young girls in rural mining communities. Mine workers, capitalizing on the desperation caused by drought, are enticing vulnerable girls with trinkets, perpetuating a cycle of manipulation and abuse. The Indaba revealed a stark reality – the absence of clear regulations governing artisanal mining has left children at the mercy of exploitation, with little protection from parents, lawmakers, or law enforcement. This issue is not isolated to Mutoko alone; it plagues mining communities nationwide where artisanal mining thrives. Shocking statistics indicate that one in every four young women in Zimbabwe faces a high risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections, with even greater odds for those already living with HIV. The Mutoko community is grappling with the repercussions of this exploitation, as communicable diseases spread unchecked, believed to be exacerbated by mine workers engaging in relationships with underage girls. Tichatonga Nyangu, a concerned resident, lamented the detrimental impact of the lithium rush and influx of Chinese companies, leading to a surge in girls dropping out of school as they are always caught in the traps of these miners leaving a number of them impregnated and nursing the wounds of sexually transmitted diseases. “Most mine workers who come here do not come with their families, they end up taking advantage of local women, especially the young girls. Since the lithium rush and the pouring of Chinese companies, we have seen a rise in girls dropping out of schools”, he said. Despite the rich deposits of black granite that have been mined since 1972, Mutoko remains entrenched in poverty. The district’s 9 communal wards, heavily reliant on agriculture for sustenance, face recurrent droughts that exacerbate their economic hardships. The situation has been further exacerbated by the El-Nino-induced drought that has hit the country this farming season.

By Tawanda Mafuta – In a significant stride towards empowering the community and enhancing access to information and internet services for community development, the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denomination (ZHOCD) joined forces with the Chiredzi Town Council (CTC) to inaugurate a Youth and Community Information Centre at Chitsanga Hall in Ward 3 on February 24th. This initiative is part of a three-year program titled “Strengthening the Role of the Church in Promoting Inclusive Civic Participation for Accountability and Transparency within the Devolution Processes,” which is being implemented by the Church in partnership with Trocaire and European Union in Masvingo, Manicaland, MatNorth, and Midlands. The primary objective of the Information Centre is to enhance access to crucial developmental information, including community development projects, devolution processes, and local and national public policy documents. The centre will serve as a community library and a platform for youth, women, and People with Disabilities to share vital information and knowledge about their communities. With the support of Trocaire and the EU, the Church has furnished the centre with furniture, Information Educational and Communication materials, as well as internet services. The Chitsanga Youth and Community Information Centre goes beyond being a physical space; it symbolizes hope, education, and opportunity. Located in Ward 3, an area facing drug-related challenges, the centre provides a haven for young individuals. Its strategic positioning ensures easy access for youth seeking information, research materials, and recreational activities. During the official opening of the centre, Engineer Wesley Kauma, the Chiredzi Town Secretary, expressed gratitude to ZHOCD and the Zimbabwe Council of Churches for their continuous support since 2020, considering that they budgeted for the Information Centre establishment after public consultations that were held by ZCC and the communities. “I am grateful for the support we have been receiving from the Church since 2020. The Church has played a significant role in promoting civic participation in local authority processes and empowering communities about their rights,” he said. The Chairman of the Chiredzi Town Council Councilor Jameson Charumbira, emphasized the importance of forging more partnerships for development. “For us as a progressive community which is determined to fight the drug and substance abuse scourge it is good to form alliances with like-minded partners like ZCC to achieve our goals,” said Charumbira. The ZCC is also planning to have similar initiatives in Nemamwa, Bubi, and Lupane.

By ShamisoSaburi and Davison Marenga –  The announcement of the proposed structured currency by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has left the general population with mixed emotions having endured seasons that saw the country falling into the dungeons of hyperinflation and left multitudes nursing the wounds of poverty during the era of former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Gideon Gono and outgoing Governor Dr. Mangudya. A snap survey conducted by the ZCC shows that many Zimbabweans are unsure about the structured currency and are skeptical about its ability to address the economic turmoil that the country is currently facing considering that the scars of the recent and past poor monitory policies and measures are still fresh in the minds of the citizens, causing them to doubt the effectiveness of any new monetary strategy. Many citizens regard the economic challenges as a manifestation of the deep political challenges and issues of systemic corruption. The government intends to introduce a gold-backed structured currency, supported by US dollars which are alleged to have been collected since October 2022, according to former RBZ Governor Dr. John Mangudya. The aim is to stabilize the economy and curb inflation, establishing a Currency Board to ensure exchange rate and price stability. On the other hand, a currency board is a monetary system where a country’s central bank or monetary authority maintains a fixed exchange rate with a specific foreign currency. This is achieved by issuing local currency units that are fully backed by a reserve of foreign currency, usually a major currency like the US dollar or the euro. While the details surrounding the structured currency and the establishment of a Currency Board are complex, the average citizen needs to understand how these reforms will impact their day-to-day lives. It is hoped that these measures will lead to stability and prosperity for the people of Zimbabwe, who have endured years of economic hardship. As we wait for further developments regarding the structured currency, the government must provide clear and transparent information to the public. This will help to alleviate any doubts and restore confidence in the monetary system. Only time will tell if the structured currency will be the solution Zimbabwe needs to navigate its economic challenges. In the meantime, citizens need to stay informed and engaged in discussions about the future of their country’s currency.   This is the litmus test for the new currency. Will it command the long-lost confidence, which is critical for its survival as a unit of account and means of exchange in this volatile economic environment where the only thing certain is uncertainty? Will this stem currency volatility and exchange rate-driven inflation?

By Sandra Munemo The Zimbabwe Council of Churches has launched an empowering campaign that is meant to unpack the Disability Bill which is meant to repeal the now obsolete Disabled Person Act enacted in 1992. The Zimbabwe Council of Churches has initiated the process of raising awareness on the contents of the Bill and the processes the Bill takes to become an Act of Parliament. The recently gazetted Disability Bill, which is premised on the Human Rights Model of disability, casts rays of hope in the inclusion, and promotion of the rights and well-being of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Zimbabwe, which is enshrined in the country’s National Development Strategy 1 which moves with the ‘Leaving Noone Behind Mantra’. The activities by the Church are meant to invoke agency and encourage ownership and participation of PWDs in the crucial crafting of the law. The Church is also using its presence in the communities to address the information gap that affects most PWDs due to several issues that include economic hardships. Although PWDs have largely viewed the Bill as progressive, there have been many sticking points identified thus far. These include the requirement for appointment to the Disability Commission, which states that one must be linked with a registered Organisation for Persons with Disabilities (OPD). The dialogues noted that the requirement is exclusionary, as most PWDs are not affiliated with organisations. The requirement for OPDs to be registered under the Private Voluntary Act was regarded to require further clarification and debate, given the majority of OPDs are community-based organisations (CBOs) that do not meet the registration requirements for PVOs. The Church urges the government and civil society organizations (CSOs) to consider allocating resources to support the Bill’s pre-packing around the country, so that when public consultations are held, OPDs, PWDs, and all relevant stakeholders can make meaningful and informed responses. To date, the dialogues on the Bill have been conducted in Bubi, Chiredzi, Lupane and Nemamwa districts.

By Rev G Gwasira, Anglican Church Chipadze Scripture: John 9 vs 1 – 12 Jesu vanoporesa munhu akazvarwa ari bofu.  The English version reads: Jesus heals a man born blind. The biblical story of Jesus healing a man born blind carries profound lessons about stigmatization and the need for inclusivity. This article explores the societal challenges faced by the blind man, the misconceptions surrounding disability, and Jesus’ transformative act of compassion. The man in question had been blind since childhood, enduring years of societal stigmatization. Even the Church and his own family faced the consequences of this stigma, leading to isolation and hostility. Disability was mistakenly associated with divine punishment, perpetuating a culture of cursing and generational blame. During that time, disability was wrongly understood as a consequence of sin. Both Jesus’ disciples and society at large believed that the blind man or his parents must have sinned to warrant such a condition. This prevailing belief further deepened the stigma associated with disability, even within religious circles. While the society saw a curse, Jesus saw an opportunity for God’s glory to be manifested through healing. He recognized the potential in the man born blind, contrasting the prevailing narratives of generational curses. Jesus’ compassionate response challenged the societal norms and demonstrated the power of inclusion. This story invites us to consider the two types of disability—those born with a disability and those who acquire it through accidents or other circumstances. It emphasizes that every person has the potential to experience disability at some point in their lives. Therefore, stigmatizing individuals based on their disability is unjust and unfounded. As brothers and sisters, we are called to embrace one another, regardless of our conditions. All humans are created in the image of God, and He loves us all equally. Jesus’ act of healing and transformation exemplifies the potential within each person, urging us to view disability not as inability but as a unique aspect of diverse human experiences. In conclusion, the story of Jesus healing the man born blind teaches us valuable lessons about the importance of inclusivity and the detrimental effects of stigmatization. It challenges us to create inclusive spaces within our Churches and institutions, where all individuals are accommodated and embraced. Let us remember that disability does not equate to inability, and that by fostering love and understanding, we can build a more compassionate and inclusive society. Blessings to you all!

Pastoral Statement-Ending Violence Against Women in Zimbabwe Romans 12:9-10-Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor. The 10th of December 2023 marked the end of the 2023 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign, and the Zimbabwe Council of Churches has been accompanying the nation in raising awareness among the general citizenry, faith leaders, government, and non-governmental stakeholders on the harmful practice of GBV. The Church notes that GBV knows no boundaries and affects individuals irrespective of their age, gender, or social status, thus, the Church firmly believes that it has a moral duty to address the scourge of GBV in a holistic manner. CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO DOWNLOAD THE PASTORAL STATEMENT PDF Pastoral Statement on Ending GBV CHECK OUT OUR RESOURCES PAGE FOR MORE PUBLICATIONS USING THE LINK BELOW Resources – ZCC (zccinzim.org)

The ZCC General Secretary, Rev Wilfred Dimingu is attending the All Africa Conference of Churches General Assembly and 60th Anniversary in Abuja, Nigeria The Assembly is running under the theme, “The love of Christ compels us” (2 Corinthians 5:14)

Ecumenical Greetings to you all! Please find attached ZHOCD Pastoral Statement on the Escalating Pastoral Statement on Escalating Violence, Abductions, Murder, Torture and Intimidation in Zimbabwe. God Bless Zimbabwe! All Gallery Item ZHOCD Pastoral Statement on Escalating Violence, Abductions, Murder, Torture and Intimidation in Zimbabwe Thou Shalt Not Murder (Exodus 20 verse 30)

Calvary Greetings to you all! Please find our opening article for the 12th edition of the Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba. #ZAMI2023 All Gallery Item #ZAMI2023 Article Roars to Life

Calvary Greetings to you all. Please find attached ZCC newsletter issue for the weeks 25 September – 7 October 2023. In this issue, ZCC covered its collaboration with Ministry of Women Affairs to promote women’s participation in politics. Additionally, ZCC also covered its Ecumenical Election Observation work during the 2023 harmonized election. Do not forget to share feedback. Happy reading! Voices Of Hope Newsletter 25 September – 7 October 2023   All Gallery Item Voices of Hope Newsletter 25 September – 7 October