UNITED States-based Brethren-in-Christ Church clergyman Reverend Raphael Mthombeni has ventured into a borehole drilling scheme targeting disadvantaged rural communities in Matabeleland as part of efforts to improve access to clean water.
Rev Mthombeni formed Intuba Trust in 2007, which he uses as a vehicle to assist rural communities to access clean water.
Through his organisation, he has also ventured into poultry, cattle, and goat breeding projects and community nutritional gardens and the proceeds are benefiting disadvantaged children to pay school fees.
So far, Rev Mthombeni has drilled boreholes in more than 30 communities. Intuba Trust is also involved in similar projects in Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Eswatini.
In Zimbabwe, the organisation has assisted communities in Gwanda, Nkayi, and Tsholotsho.
“We drilled our first borehole in 2013 and this year we are planning on sinking 15 wells targeting 15 communities.
Rev Mthombeni said he mooted the idea in 2008 with his wife.
“We then started channelling ten percent of our incomes towards the trust and some companies and churches in the United States of America chipped in with funds after learning about our project and how it is benefiting communities,” he said.
“We usually get help from religious organisations such as the Baptist Church, Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ Church, and Generations Church among others. We also get assistance from construction companies such as Spears Construction, which is based in the United States.”
Rev Mthombeni has also introduced bucket farming in local communities, a model he learnt in the United States.
Bucket farming is about alleviating poverty and hunger and increasing food security by empowering families/households/individuals to grow their own food with minimal resources.
“When I went overseas I learnt some form of farming called bucket farming. Since water is a valuable resource that should be saved, this form of farming helps preserve water and it is easy to use,” said Rev Mthombeni.
“This model is a demonstration that growing food does not necessarily require vast amounts of land. Bucket farming is a viable farming method for improving food security and decreasing hunger.”
Rev Mthombeni said this farming method is economic and his organisation provides the equipment for free to disadvantaged communities.
“Our passion lies in empowering communities and alleviating hunger and ending the cycle of poverty. I also urge those in the diaspora to get involved in such activities aimed at empowering our people and benefiting our country,” he said.
The Intuba project co-ordinator for Nkayi, Mr Melamisi Msimanga said they sunk five wells at Lukama, Zibiondini and Khomayango villages.
“This project has really helped us, especially in Nkayi because it is a dry region and most people have to walk long distances in access water,” said Mr Msimanga.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Psibanang Tlou from Patana Village in Gwanda District commended Intuba Trust for its work.
She said the organisation sunk a well for her community.
“The organisation taught us how to be involved in teamwork and do bucket agriculture. More than 30 families are benefiting from the gardens,” said Ms Tlou.
“At the moment, we have planted tomatoes and sugar beans in our gardens, and once we sell the produce, we will share the money among ourselves. They also drilled boreholes and gave us a few goats.”
Born in Matshetsheni in Gwanda District, Rev Mthombeni attended school at Zhukwe Primary School before proceeding to Mtshabezi High School where he completed high school.
Third from left is INTUBA Sustainable Projects founder member and president Mr Raphael Mthombeni who is based in America with the executive members of Sida in Silobela,at Vukuzenzele garden project at a village called Msilahobe.
Upon finishing his A-level studies, Rev Mthombeni worked as a telecommunication technician in Bulawayo and Harare up until 1981.
“I discovered that I had a calling and that is when I left my job and started preaching the Gospel of God. I later enrolled at Mtshabezi Mission Bible College where I studied theology,” said Rev Mthombeni
“After graduating, I was deployed to rural Matabeleland and it was during my tenure there that I came face-to-face with water challenges and seeing people drinking water from unprotected water sources and that really touched me,” he said. – The Chronicle
