In that section, the action plans give the vocational skills project specifications, which have given hope to the youths in that village. Seventeen-year-old NACLARE GANDA, who participated in the community visioning process in Ward 28, hopeful that access to vocational skills such as computers, driving, etc., will help empower most youths within her community. She is also grateful as she has since started on focused activities that will see her pass her O levels.

Participation of the 10 to 14 young mothers in the community visioning (CV) process is yet to be improved. It has been highlighted that these cases are there but gathered that the group is a bit secluded from community gatherings.

One case was encountered in Irimayi village, ward 11, where USAID Takunda staff had to conduct a home visit to give one identified young mother a chance to speak out about her aspirations. The young mother, aged 14 and having conceived at 12 years, indicated that her wish was to go back to secondary school so that she could fend for her child in the future. Her parents also wished for her to go back to school as they were prepared to take care of their grandchild.  However, she could not attend the community visioning process in public for fear of being discriminated against and segregated by the community. 

Community Visioning facilitators training of trainers at DDF in ward 28 Mafurere village. © Calorine Madanzi/ CARE

Upon conducting a sensitization meeting with local leadership in Ward 21, Cluster 2, the village head MR. MAMBWERE indicated that young mothers aged 10 to 14 years are there but are not easy to mobilize to attend the community engagement processes. This has been attributed mainly to the fact that it may become a police case rather than just a community engagement program if they do attend. The same village head used the community visioning engagement platforms to advocate for the end of child marriages. “It is mandatory for all families who receive/ welcome a new daughter-in-law at any given time to inform the village head, where the village head will confirm the age of the daughter-in-law. If found to be a child, the daughter-in-law shall be sent back to her family by the village head. Anyone who does not comply shall be summoned to the local court”, said Village head Mambwere at Mambwere Business Center during the community visioning broader feedback meeting on 17 September 2021. 

To compensate for the inability to hold large gatherings, the community visioning team adapted to the training of CV facilitators to undertake a community-led visioning process in ward 28, where eight facilitators were trained on how to facilitate the CV process. A one-day theoretical training was conducted for the eight facilitators. After that, they then conducted their own 5-day community-led CV process, which was backstopped on day three, where the subgroup consolidation processes were being undertaken. Takunda staff supported by providing all community visioning materials required. 

The community-led CV process was a significant success as the facilitators could carry out their well-being analysis and community visioning processes. Their community action plan has since been one of the best with well-outlined activity plans.  During the five days, all subgroups were well represented as there was the inclusion of all subgroups. Minimal challenges were met and were dealt with at their level as facilitators. 

CAP 2

Therefore, working with community CV facilitators can be sustainable as the communities are empowered to conduct their CV processes beyond the Takunda. This is supported by the inserted section from the facilitators’ report below. The facilitators are thankful for being trained and leading the community visioning process in Ward 28, Mafurere, and Muzama clusters.

As we advance, the district will continue to employ a variety of community engagement techniques and provide communities the opportunity to conduct their community visioning processes to improve the ability of communities to plan for their sustainable projects. Below is a section of the well-outlined area of the community action plan developed by the cap writers in this cluster. 

CAP 1

In that section, the action plans give the vocational skills project specifications, which have given hope to the youths in that village. Seventeen-year-old NACLARE GANDA, who participated in the community visioning process in Ward 28, hopeful that access to vocational skills such as computers, driving, etc., will help empower most youths within her community. She is also grateful as she has since started on focused activities that will see her pass her O levels.