Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
CHURCHES in Mwenezi East have launched a US$30 000 revolving fund aimed at empowering faith-based organisations to undertake income-generating projects and contribute meaningfully to local development initiatives.
The fund was unveiled on Sunday during a combined church service held at Rutenga Growth Point, bringing together various Christian denominations from across the constituency. The initiative is being spearheaded by Mwenezi East legislator Honourable Sheila Chikomo.
The revolving fund will be disbursed in phases and is expected to support churches as they engage in sustainable economic activities, while also strengthening unity across denominations and encouraging participation in Government-led development programmes.
Church leaders welcomed the initiative, saying access to funding has often limited the scope of their community programmes.
“We appreciate Honourable Chikomo for organising this event and for supporting churches through the revolving fund. It strengthens our ability to work together and play our role in empowering our communities. We have got a number of programmes running as churches, but sometimes what lacks is funding, hence we appreciate this initiative,” Bishop Lyphet Matenda said.
Bishop Eleck Mabhena said the combined service marked a significant step towards unity among churches in the constituency.
“This initiative of having a combined service as church denominations in Mwenezi has united us as churches in Mwenezi. Imagine from Pentecostal churches, Zion Christian Church denominations, different apostolic sects and our traditional churches. It shows that our government recognizes the church and it is ready to work with us hence we respect that. We as the church, again, we are ready to work with the government in various programmes, including in the fight against drug and substance abuse, a menace that has become rampant in our communities,” Bishop Eleck Mabhena said.
Launching the fund, Honourable Chikomo said churches should be active stakeholders in Zimbabwe’s development agenda.
“We organised this combined first church service to foster the spirit of unity and working together among church denominations. Again, as we start a new year, churches must be part of our country’s development trajectory. The revolving fund we launched here worth US$ 30 000 is meant to empower faith-based organisations so that they can engage in income-generating projects and take part in all development programmes being implemented by the government,” Honourable Chikomo said.
Churches continue to play a key role in community development through promoting unity, moral values and empowerment, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa having previously highlighted the complementary relationship between the church and the State.
