Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe

Project Name: National healing programme - Heal the wounds
Distributed items- Clothes and Blankets 
Venue: Chinanga Village, Ward 32 Bikita West Constituency
Programme Date: Friday 18 September 2009 

Introduction
Following the execution of ROHR Zimbabwe’s much awaited and anticipated national healing programme dubbed Heal the Wounds where clothes, and blankets among other things were distributed to victims of politically motivated violence, ROHR Zimbabwe went on to do a practical evaluation and monitoring programme aimed at ascertaining the impact of this programme. The main sources of information were the beneficiaries, community members, community leaders, and other stakeholders who were presented with the situation and videos of what transpired there. The programme was mainly aimed at consolidating victims of political violence by giving them clothes and blankets to cover up since the ones they used to have were confiscated and or burnt down before, during and after the bloody, shame and one man elections of June 2008. There were 48 beneficiaries, three (elderly) of whom received blankets while the remainder received clothing items (children). The main driving force behind the programme was to set an example of what constitutes a desirable national healing programme which the state should adopt in order to achieve total and complete national healing, reconciliation and integration in Zimbabwe. The programme was attended by members of the immediate community, ward 32, and ward 11 members who made part of the beneficiaries and the councillors of the 2 wards. 

Objectives of the project
·         Facilitating the provision of relevant support services to victims of human rights violations.
§         Setting an example of how National healing should be done.
§         Material support for victims of and beyond the 27 June 2008 political violence.
·         Taking ROHR Zimbabwe’s activities to the grassroots.
·         Consolidating ROHR Zimbabwe’s programmes to be centred on improving peoples lives. 

Positives
The programme was well received, and many people expressed satisfaction at the way the programme was executed since it was open to everyone. The clothes were distributed in full view of the entire two wards and in the presence of the respective councillors and the ROHR Zimbabwe team. The involvement of the constituency Member of Parliament Honourable Heya Shoko in the planning and execution of the programme brought the MP to the people and the people managed to express themselves to him and he also got to know better about ROHR Zimbabwe and its activities. The members of the beneficiary communities also got to know better about ROHR Zimbabwe and this has helped many to raise expectations of people higher especially in relation to programmes like these. The programme also helped many to speak out on people who victimised them during the period preceding the 27 June 2008 elections. The people are now narrating their ordeal at the hands of the ZANU PF people who are also members of the same communities. The people identified the perpetrators and chief among them is losing ZANU PF councillor candidate, Chief of that area and local businessman. Some of these victims include Ms. Helen Mazhara, Ms. Christina Madzvamuse, Kimon Marecha, and Crispen Muchemwa. People are generally opening up and breaking the silence on how they want the national healing exercise to be addressed. It also managed to fill a vacuum since all humanitarian organisations are concerned with helping with food items and the coming of ROHR Zimbabwe into avenues like these has improved their lives. 

Shortcomings
The available clothing items were a far cry from the number of victims in these two wards. There are many victims in many communities who had their own belongings confiscated and others had theirs burnt down. The items were thus very limited and only 48 people benefited at the expense of thousands who fell victim to the abuse. Furthermore, the fast-track nature of how the programme was arranged and executed left many people who would have came to attend the event. It would have made greater impact if many people beyond the two wards had attended to witness as they would have benefited from the speeches and deliberations made at the handover ceremony. The victims also received a single item each owing to the limited number of the available items, and the expectation had been that each one was going to receive a complete set e.g. top and bottom. 

Recommendations

• That the programme be established in every district of the province
• That more material resource is sourced to cater for large numbers of victims.
• That resources of this nature be mobilised for donations at Christmas holiday.
• That the national healing and reconciliation exercise be built on the foundation of truth, justice and compensation.
• That there be adequate time for preparations to attract large crowds to witness these events.
• That victims be provided for with complete sets of items.
• That health and medical assistance be extended to these communities as there are some with fresh wounds from the victimisation.

ROHR Zimbabwe would like to extend, on behalf of the beneficiaries, the immediate families and communities, the Councillors and Member of Parliament for the area, its heartfelt thanks to the persons who made this commitment and dream to become a reality. Particular reference goes to Martha Angelina Magwaza and her Chelmsford branch for the donation of the clothing items. The items went far in improving peoples lives in Chinanga village. All the ROHR Zimbabwe family both in and out of Zimbabwe are being encouraged to make all efforts they possibly can to broaden the programme into a Heal the Wounds Project. This would improve the lives of many Zimbabweans who fell victim to ZANU PF brutality and would re engage them to continue fighting for justice and respect of human rights until this dream has been realised.