Valerie Chatindo
Considering that the country experienced a devastating drought in the previous year due to the El Niño effect, which led to low agricultural yields and, in turn, affected the economy, it is without doubt that the current rainfall in Zimbabwe has been highly anticipated.
The rains can only be described by most as a blessing.
Most farmers who contribute to the nation’s maize storages can’t afford irrigation, including small-scale farmers in rural communities who rely on their yields for sustenance. In addition, maize farming in Zimbabwe is a cultural practice.
Whether it be in the city, the suburbs or more humble communities; everyone grows maize.
It is also worth mentioning the catastrophic effects of climate change on the everyday man. Sure, we have seen its consequences on animals in the Arctic and for most people that’s as close as they will get to the subject. But for us here in Zimbabwe, it is a reality. A harsh one at that when we take into account the fact that we have one of the smallest carbon footprints on the planet.
A true injustice.
The drought was terrible, but now, faced with abnormal rainfall patterns that result in extreme floods, it is hard to be truly elated.
Two educators under the Teach For Zimbabwe Leadership Fellowships, Lindatumune Mudimba and Leocardia Munsaka, who are placed in the Binga District, have mentioned that the majority of their students are currently struggling to get to school. Their journeys often involve precarious river crossings, which have only become more dangerous with the floods. These two educators have mitigated the effects of these floods at their respective schools by applying erosion management tools such as tunnel gullies. These efforts ensure that learners are able to get from class to class without struggle.
The situation only compounds the educational disparity in rural communities because parents will often prohibit their children from attending school in such situations. All learners must have equal access to education in all weather conditions and until that happens we will continue to speak up for the rural learners who are sitting at home right now because they can’t cross a river to get to school.