The Rotary Club of Harare City recently hosted a celebratory dinner to mark the successful implementation of the Partners for the Environment Project in Chimanimani. The project, worth USD 850,000, aims to strengthen ecosystem services for improved livelihoods and resilience among smallholder farmers.
According to President Leslie Mukarati, “We are honored to have this opportunity to celebrate the impact being made in Chimanimani through this global grant project. This project is a testament to the power of collective action and service to others, which is at the heart of Rotary’s mission.”
The project, a collaborative effort between Rotary and World Vision, aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2030), notably SDG 15, related to conservation of ecosystems and their services.
President Leslie expressed gratitude to the Rotary Club of Rancho Park from America, led by Past District Governor Guity, for championing the project. “We appreciate the financial sacrifice made by all involved to make this Partners for the Environment project a reality,” he said.
The project aims to capacitate institutions, communities, and households on improved sustainable use of natural resources, rehabilitate and restore degraded communal land and forests, and promote increased and diversified income-generating activities.
President Leslie emphasized that the project is in line with Rotary’s seven areas of focus, which include supporting the environment. “This project is probably the largest environment project for Rotary, and we are confident that it will transform lives in the two wards in Chimanimani,” he said.
The Rotary Club of Harare City is also pursuing another Global Grant project on Water and Sanitation, which will be implemented soon. President Leslie appealed for support, stating that the club relies on fundraising events to implement its projects.
As Rotary celebrates 120 years of impact and community service, President Leslie reflected on the organization’s theme for the year, “The Magic of Rotary.” “This theme highlights the power of collective action and service to others. We will create the magic as we implement these projects, using money from fundraising activities,” he said.
