Earlier on this blog, I reported on some planned road developments in the area – see https://friendsofpakati.com/2020/09/16/schools-re-opening-road-developments-new-and-updated-pages-and-part-2s-to-come/ – and now I have some more recent updates. Thanks go to Oscar Bumhe (Road Project Chairman) for the information and some of the pictures.
Oscar: “Hallo. Maybe if it’s possible, I would like to let people on your blog know how important this road is for the community. For example, the road leads to a Clinic, 2 Business Centres, 3 schools – namely Shamu Primary and Secondary, Mapanga Primary, and Chanetsa School – and is not far from Pakati schools as well.
The area consists largely of subsistence, small scale farmers, who do help feed the nation through taking/selling their produce at Mbare Musika – a large market on the edge of Harare.
The road caters for 6 villages with a population of around +/- 60000 people approximately. This information will help to explain why really we need assistance to have this road mantained and reconstructed. Its a 21km road that we must put gravel on it, resources permitting.
For any more information don’t hesitate to contact me, Chairman of the Road Project. This can be done through friendsofpakati.com if need be. We represent the vulnerable the under previledged. Our community have been neglected for too long, hence the desire to take it upon our selves and lead by example and get the ball running.
We dont intend to end there we have more projects in mind which we think we can do ONLY with some sort of aid. To us the sky is the limit. We are concerned residents who are now living a modern life, so why not modernise rural areas too.”
The project has not been without its problems – this recent message from Oscar again:
“Mr Walker. We had a breakdown on our machinery but thank God they were repaired and work is re-starting. This week maybe we will finish the grading part, and on Friday we are commencing building of structures, where I think we expect or need help especially on cement.”
Here above is a rough map of where the work is being done, while below are some pics from google maps, highlighting some of the area concerned. I am not yet certain of the precise route of the road improvements, but the maps can give a feel for the geography of Ward 14 of Murewa district.
My understanding is that the road improvement runs from the main Harare to Murewa road, then passes not far from the schools at Shamu, Chanetsa and Mapanga, but ends at Jacopo shops. I will confirm the route details when I can.
Still to come here on friendsofpakati.com
• New profiles of former students
• Pakati schools consult with local community over budgets
• New chapter from Pauline Machengo
• New publicity for friendsofpakati.com
• Updates on fundraising
loving the blog as always Chris
Thank you Vari👍😁its a pleasure to have your support, makes it all worthwhile when I get such messages.