mbulelo smpofu
Blessed Moyo, Sunday News Reporter
AFTER years of enduring gruelling journeys of close to 30 kilometres to access basic healthcare, Somnene villagers in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South Province, have decided to take action by coming together to construct a clinic in their community.
The self-initiated project aims to alleviate the struggles faced by villagers, who previously depended on donkey carts or expensive road transport—options that were often unaffordable for many—to reach the nearest clinic.
In an interview with Sunday News, Bulilima ward 18 councillor, Land Ndebele said the villagers have suffered for a long time to get basic healthcare hence they decided to take matters into their own hands by building a state-of-the-art clinic.
“Somnene villagers’ quest for better healthcare has led to this inspiring community-driven project. The villagers decided to come together to build their own clinic, ending years of gruelling journeys to Solusi Clinic or Inkunzi Clinic in Tsholotsho.
“Construction began in October, driven by the community’s determination to access quality healthcare closer to home as the villagers are tired of travelling long distances for medical care and they are rallied to make their vision a reality,” said Clr Ndebele.
The councillor said the villagers managed to raise funds to help kick start the project.
“Our villagers raised funds that managed to get the construction of the clinic started, even though the funds were not enough to see the full construction of the facility, but at least, they had somewhere to start from,” he said.
Clr Ndebele revealed that Bulilima Rural District Council, inspired by the community spirit shown, donated 200 bags of cement to help the construction of the clinic move forward.
“The RDC through the devolution funds stepped in to assist with 200 bags of cement that the villagers used to mould fire bricks to help further the construction of the facility,” said Clr Ndebele.
The RDC also assisted by providing a plan for the construction of the clinic for free.
Clr Ndebele said the project was also assisted by Somnene villagers who are in the diaspora who also donated 200 bags of cement.
He further revealed that skilled builders in the village volunteered to build the clinic free of charge.
“A few of our villagers who have been working as builders, united together with us to build this facility without any charges demanded,” said Clr Ndebele.
“Villagers also contribute by providing other services such as assisting with building tasks and fetching of water from nearby boreholes to help further the construction.”
