Zimbabwe – Kadoma City Council

In Ngezi community demystifying gender issues in water sanitation and hygiene was crucial. Women were looked down upon in issues to do with the hardware component of WASH .An awareness was raised and wash wizards were trained. A WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Wizard is defined as a community-based artisan who proactively supplies plumbing and sanitation services.

A WASH wizard voluntarily assesses water and sewerage faults at household level and offers advice and solutions to the householder. Repairing leaking taps or cisterns, unblocking sewer or waste water lines, and other similar small-scale repairs on the property will be likely activities for WASH wizards. The household, according to a price list approved by the Local Authority, will pay for these repairs.

The project aims to harness local talent for the benefit of the residents and train semi-skilled and non-skilled locals on the basics of plumbing. It also opts to enable locals to address their own problems locally emanating from minor blockages and leakages which results in water loses, and also to sensitize local semi-skilled plumbers on council regulations regarding repair and maintenance. Generally to empower local artisans and instil confidence in their work.

The project has reached through direct beneficiaries 56% participants and 44% participants were reached indirectly. The Zimbabwean Government has supported this project by putting in a budget of $3000.

Some of the challenges that have been faced include obtaining community buy in to social mobilization and fear of participating by women in raising awareness. Funding has also been one of the main challenges. However, through applications German Agro Action pulled the project through when it managed to fund it going forward.

Men are working well with women and are appreciating the work which is done by women .Men have also realised that women can also perform duties which were considered as male jobs. Gift Zimba says, “In am now able to relax wherever l am because I am assured that my household is well taken care of in issues to do with water and sanitation hardware.” WASH wizards are locally available and they offer services at reasonable prices.

Residents in the community have gained confidence with the wash wizards as they are part of the community hence a reduction in theft. WASH wizards are now being respected due to skills acquired during training.

The project can be replicated easily. The trained Water Wizards will form smaller groups in their ward and work together until they are certified by council. Regular meeting with set calendar dates will be held with engineering team as well as DT to reinforce the training and build confidence in the trained Water Wizards. A combined wards meeting (ward 1 and 14) will be requested from the local leaders, that is, councillors to introduce the Water Wizards to the general community so they will not face any challenges as they move around doing their work.

An inventory of households with problems of blockages and leakages will be compiled by the Water Wizards and submitted to council offices for further assessment by council together with Water Wizards who would have identified such households with a view to repair such leakages or blockages. Water Wizards will, until certified work under council supervision.