Chitsanga Youth and Information Centre established
Story by Gay Matambo
A Youth and Information Centre has been established in Tshovani suburb of Chiredzi as part of efforts to curb drug and substance abuse among youths.
Established in Tshovani suburb where cases of drug and substance abuse are rampant, Chitsanga Youth and Information Centre is fully equipped with computers and Wi-Fi.
“The strategic location of the youth centre makes it convenient for youths to visit the centre and now that the youth centre has been opened in Ward 3 a hotspot of drug and substance abuse, youths will come here and do research, play board games, study, and they move away from the streets because there is Internet connectivity and books at this centre,” said one of the beneficiaries.
Another added, “We hope that more partners will come on board and partner with the local authority in the establishment of youth centres across Chiredzi town so that all youths benefit from this noble cause.”
The youth centre established through a collaboration between the local authority and the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, comes at a time when the government has put in place water-tight measures to curb drug and substance abuse.
“We are in the era of e-learning and also youths are the most affected by the drug and substance abuse scourge that is why we chose to establish this youth centre. We are open to more partnerships in establishing other youth centres like what ZCC did,” said Chiredzi Town Chairman, Councilor Jameson Charumbira.
Meanwhile, the initiative is set to be taken to other parts of Chiredzi.
“Chiredzi town council realised a gap in access to information, especially amongst youths and women. As such we resolved to establish this youth centre. We are grateful to the President, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa for conscientising councils when he launched the blueprint where he is calling to action, no compromise to service delivery to mainstream youths and women especially nowadays when we are besieged with drug and substance abuse menace. This is a pilot project which we will roll out in other wards in our town,” said Chiredzi Town Secretary, Engineer Wesley Kauma.
The government has set up an Inter-Ministerial committee to spearhead the fight against drug and substance abuse, among other strategies.
