Mwatipedza Community Hall

We agreed to build a Village Hall to be used for various community activities, including:
Running a crèche
Church services
Village meetings
Skills training
Indoor sports
Other indoor activities
Wedding receptions

The village agreed that we will provide labour for the project, as well as materials that can be sourced locally without using money. These include bricks, river sand, pit sand, and ¾ stones. I was tasked to lead initiatives to secure funding for materials that require money, such as cement, brick force, and damp course.

We set an ambitious target to complete the foundation by November 2016 and to hold our end-of-year meeting seated in the hall foundation.

The plan was drawn and approved by the Mutare Rural District Council (RDC). We thank our local Councillor, Alderman Mudehwe, for helping us secure this approval. The RDC has also pegged the plot where the hall will be constructed.

We received a Bill of Materials for the project from Windy Construction, and DST provided costings.

31 August 2021
Please join me in thanking Mr Gombakomba and family for donating the remaining 11 window panes - all the windows now have window panes

2 July 2020
With the relaxing of the Covid-19 measures to level 2, the committee noted that some of the cement was about to dry up and sought permission to resume work on the hall. In order to lead by example and to exercise social distancing, ONLY committee members worked on the flooring, window frames and door frames. The community brought the additional sand that was required and the support was overwhelming. I am happy to announce that window frames and door frames have now been fitted and floors on the two small rooms have also been done. We plan to fit the window panes in the coming days.
Material outstanding as of now:
1) 60 bag of cement to complete the floors (PC32.5)
2) 2 double door frames
3) 12 Air vents
4) 1 small window pane (D2H)
5) 5kg bitumen putty
Thank you amurongo Emmill Mallony Marange for the ZWL2500 contribution towards food for the team working on this.
Do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to lend a helping hand

24 March 2020
Inside plastering and outside plastering of the community hall is now done. In view of the need to exercise social distancing, we have stopped all work on the project for the next 30 days. We will reassess the situation after 30 days.
We managed to buy 14 pairs of air vents with the last donation received. We also have 21 bags of cement left over after plastering. We expect to use 3 bags of cement for the window frames and door frames, leaving 18 bags to go towards the floors.
The main materials now needed at this stage, which you can donate in cash or kind are:
i) 47 bags of cement for the floors
ii) 20 pairs of air vents
iii) USD 18 x 4 for Asbestos sheets bought on credit
iv) 1 x C2H window frame with 6 panels
v) 2 x xternal double doors
vi) 2 x External double door frames
vii) 4 x internal doors
viii) Glasses and putty for the windows
We appreciate ALL your assistance and encouragement. For more details about our village, please go to www.mwatipedza.org
God bless.

7 March 2020
Please join me in thanking the Nyikayaramba family for a ZWL 2000 donation which we have just received. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU . May our God richly bless your family and stay true to his word and character in multiplying his blessings towards your family.

8 March 2020
A very happy ending to the weekend - we have just received ZWL1000 to go to the commuity hall project from Moffat Glynis Langeveldt . THANK YOU MOFFAT & GLYNIS. May God bless you and your family abundantly. We truly appreciate you and the gift.

8 March 2020
We are truly grateful for the great support we are receiving in our Mwatipedza Village community hall project. As summarised on our website, www.Mwatipedza.com, our vision is that this hall will be used for:
1. Hosting wedding receptions in our village
2. As a creche as we currently do not have a creche in the village, thus the very young children travel long distances ( if at all ), to attend creche. The establishment of a creche will also create employment for the teachers and helpers, as well as related downstream service suppliers for the creche
3. Skills training development courses for our youths and young adults
4. Recreational centre for indoor sports and cultural activities such as Chess, drama etc,
5. Meeting venue for our Village meetings
6. Meeting venue for other community meetings for our village and ward
7. Church services
While the above are a compelling reason to forge ahead and complete this community project, I am even more excited about the other prospects that a completed community hall brings. These are opportunities that come from the opportunity to bring the whole world to Mwatipedza Village through the introduction of internet. The perspectives and aspirations of our children, youths and young adults will transform in ways we cannot image once they are exposed to what the rest of the world has to offer, and the heights of their dreams will expand beyond the confines of Mwatipedza Village. God has blessed us with very long days of unrelenting sunlight, so I am right now praying for resources to install a solar system at the hall, which will power the wi-fi connections, TV/projector/ PCs etc.
I tremble with excitement at the vision of youths and young adults coming into the community hall on a Saturday morning to conduct research from the internet café. Once solar power is in place, the community hall will also serve as a study centre for the village and ward students – appropriate safeguards will be put in place to ensure the students are in a safe and conducive environment within the community hall and even as they make their way back to their respective homes. The solar power and wi-fi will also enable us to organise “family entertainment” days/nights ( remember the drive through movies? ) wherein appropriate movies can be shown. Skills development will take a radically different approach through the usage of YouTube. “Teacherless” classes also be set up for the students, to supplement what is being offered in the classroom.
I can go on and on, but even if I do, I will not exhaust the countless possibilities. So, as we continue with efforts to complete the community hall, please help us to get past this stage, and also help us to begin planning for the next exciting phase. You may post your thoughts and suggestions here, on the village website discussion forum (www.mwatipedza.org) < mukoma Tsennyware Technologies Zimbabwe Munhu WaMwari - let’s clear the gremlins ) or send to davidmarange@yahoo.com.
God bless


8 March 2020
THANK YOU Amurongo Emmill Mallony Marange for the ZWL 700 to pay for the builder’s labour up to gable height. A HUGE THANK YOU to the Mwatipedza community for raising ZWL853 and foodstuffs for the on site meals. May God richly bless you all

8 March 2020
I am happy to report that after the donations received recently, we have now paid the builder the equivalent of USD700, which covers work to roof level, plus plastering inside and outside. In order to hedge against escallating ZWL costs due to depreciation of the ZWL against the USD, the currency in which the labour costs are quoted, we have used available funds and paid the builder the ZWL equivalent of USD100 to cover the following work still to be done:
1. Window Frame and door frame fitting - USD 30
2. Flooring - USD 50
3. Glazing and fitting - USD50
Thus, we have only USD 30 left to finish the labour costs. We pray that the builder will be honourable and finish the work professionally, having received payment in advance.
The main materials needed at this stage, which you can donate in cash or kind are:
i) 65 bags of cement for the floors
ii) 34 pairs of air vents
iii) USD 18 x 4 for Asbestos sheets bought on credit
iv) 1 x C2H window frame with 6 panels
v) 2 x xternal double doors
vi) 2 x External double door frames
vii) 4 x internal doors
viii) Glasses and putty for the windows
We appreciate ALL your assistance and encouragement. For more details about our village, please go to www.Mwatipedza.org
God bless.

7 March 2020
Update: Inside plastering now finished and outside plastering has started. We have enough cement to finish the plastering but will need 65 more bags for the floors. We also need 34 pairs of air vents.

1 March 2020
A big THANK YOU to Anesu Daka for donating USD20, to Appearance Moyo Moufarah for donating ZWL350 and to Emmill Mallony Marange for donating ZWL9,999 towards the community hall. TINOTENDA, SIYABONGA, MERCI BEAUCOUP, ZIKOMO, GRATIAS, NGIYABONGA, ENKOSI, DANKIE !!!
1 March 2020
Oh what a joy - I have just received a message from WorldRemit that USD$200 has just been sent to me ! The kind donor has advised that this is for the Community Hall and the donor wishes to remain anonymous. We are truly grateful and we know that our God sees AND when he sees, he ACTS. Thank you. Be blessed.

5 February 2020
Roofing of Community Hall now done - TINOTENDA MWARI ! We are looking for help to cover the following: 1) 4 asbestos roof sheets @ USD18 each or ZWL equivalent - we were short and borrowed material from Mr Gombakomba and still need to pay for it; 2)One window frame C2H with 6 panels; 3) Two external double doors; 4) Two double door frames; 5) four internal doors; 6) Builder labour for roofing at equivalent of USD700. We have got 67 bags of cement on hand and work on plastering will start on 10 Feb. I will be advising how far the 67 bags take us for plastering and flooring. Here's a great opportunity to be part of this beautiful community effort. I am counting on your support. We need your support. Let me know how best you can help. Have a blessed day

5 February 2019
We have received more material from the RDC pursuant to the Zimunya-Marange Trust allocated funds and are now able to continue the hall project. Our target is to have the roof up before the rains start! With your help and your prayers we can do it. Ebenezer - we thank God for bringing us this far!

15 December 2018
We had our year end village meeting this morning. The GREAT NEWS is that the Zimunya-Marange Trust has distributed $80,000 for developmental work in each ward. All the villages in our ward voted to have the allocation for our ward to be first allocated to the roofing of our village hall, and costs permitting, the purchase of door frames and window frames. Any remaining amount from the $80,000 allocated will then be allocated to smaller projects in other villages. We are humbled by the unselfish and open support from the surrounding village heads and their VIDCOs - TINOTENDA! We give all the glory to our God almighty!! The RDC is now urgently seeking quotations and we look forward to the material being delivered soon.
Our resolutions for 2019 are:
1) Complete the roofing of the village hall
2) Complete the hall toilet per the approved hall plan
3) Dig a borehole near the village hall so that there will be water readily available for use at the hall— feeling blessed in Mutare.

15 December 2018
A big thank you to amurongo, Emmill Mallony Marange for recognising the women who contributed to the construction of the hall thus far. The tokens of appreciations of very good "maZambia" was much appreciated

10 May 2018
A big THANK YOU to Mukoma Julius Magodo and maiguru for the generous donation of USD$500 towards the Mwatipedza Village community hall !!! May God bless you abundantly.

25 January 2018
Mutare Rural District Council has donated and delivered 4 door frames towards our multi-purpose community hall. The council has pledged to deliver a fifth door frame. We are truly grateful and humbled! Tinotenda zvikuru

2 August 2017
Thank you James Mlambo and Tafadzwa Mawoyo for honouring your pledge to donate 10 bags of cement towards the community hall construction. USD$140 has been received - THANK YOU

10 July 2017
Contiunuing work on the 40,000 bricks. One half of the village is working on producing 20,000 bricks after which the other half of the village will start on the remaining 20,000. The work was split due to shortage of space, and to ensure the same standard guage is used for all the bricks

13 February 2017
I have just received some fantastic news - all the bricks have been moved to the hall construction site AND the plan has been pegged AND the trenches have all been dug - all this in one day of UNITED EFFORT! I am sooooo proud of the people of Mwatipedza! Glory to God !!! Everyone will come together again tomorrow to continue with the work. I hope to post some photos at end of day tomorrow

16 March 2016
As promised in my Hall Appeal, herewith the 5th report on donations received and payments made :
No new donations since the last report
We have paid the $100 required by the RDC. The funding has come from 2 months allowances for the Village Head and sundry amounts paid to the Village Head in line with the schedule of amounts payable for various occasions, fines and charges that we set up last year. With this payment, the RDC will produce a plan for the hall ( hopefully taking into account our input ! ) and come and "peg" the site. This will set the stage for work to begin !!!
The monthly allowances have been (temporarily?) stopped. I have not received official communication on the reasons for this. However, as this was the anchor of our scholarship fund, and we currently have no other income to keep the scholarhips, it means that the scholarships have to be put on hold for the time being.
God bless

14 November 2015
As promised in my Hall Appeal, herewith the 3rd report on donations received and payments made :
Receipt No. Amount. Date. Donor I.D.
81. 50.00 07-11-15. Zondi Kumwenda & family
The total Hall fund now stands at $375. We are planning to borrow $25 from the scholarship fund so that we pay the $400 to enable the RDC to come and complete the "pegging" before year end. The amount borrowed from the scholarship fund will be reimbursed in time for term 1 2016.
There have been no expenditures yet
Thank you and God bless !!!


22 OCTOBER 2015
As promised in my Hall Appeal, herewith the 2nd report on donations received :
Receipt No. Amount. Date. Donor I.D.
51. 50.00 01-10-15. Rev H J Zisengwe & family
Receipt 50 and other receipts for contributions by Ishe Mwatipedza, Amurongo and the residents of Mwatipedza are not posted here. The total Hall fund now stands at $317. We want to reach $400 before the end of November as the RDC will come and complete the "pegging" if we pay a lump some of $400.
There have been no expenditures yet
Thank you and God bless !!!

29 SEPTEMBER 2015
As promised in my Hall Appeal, herewith the 1st report on donations received :
Receipt No. Amount. Date. Donor I.D.
48. 32.00. 01-09-15. Anonymous
49. 25.00. 22-09-15. Merlin
There have been no expenditures yet
Thank you and God bless !!!

24 AUGUST 2015
Update :
1) The RDC has approved our application to build the multi-purpose hall !!!! We are excited at what the future holds ! We now have to pay various fees to the council for siting etc etc etc before we can submit plans for approval. 1st payment due is just under $500 - feel free to pitch in and work with us ! inbox me, call, sms or whatsapp on +263772238890 if you want to be a part of this ambitious project for our community.

28 August 2015
I have just received a $32 contribution to go towards the multi purpose hall !!! Thank you, thank you, thank you and may God replenish and enlarge your territory ! ( I have been requested to keep the identity of our donor and friend anonymous ).
A new era has been launched - we are praying for more support from you my friends and family !


We agreed to build a Village hall, to be used for various community activities including:
1. Running a crèche
2. Church services
3. Village meetings
4. Skills training
5. Indoor sports
6. Indoor your activities
7. Wedding receptions
The Village agreed that we will provide the labour for the project, as well as materials that can be sourced locally without using money – these were identified as bricks, river sand, pit sand and ¾ stones. I was tasked to lead the initiatives to secure funding for the materials that needed money : cement, brick force, damp course etc. We set an ambitious target to complete the foundation by November 2016, and heve our end of year meeting seated in the hall foundation!
The plan was drawn and approved by the Mutare Rural District Council (RDC). ( ref Pic gallery ) We thank our local Councillor, Alderman Mudehwe for helping us to get this approved. The RDC has since come and pegged the plot where we are to construct the hall.
We received a bill of material for the project from Windy construction ( ref picture gallery ). DST have provided costings for the project ( ref picture gallery )
The community has since delivered the river sand, pit sand and ¾ stones needed to complete the foundation. The bricks are also already on hand from a community oven.
Various donations as listed below have bee received towards this projects. These helped to pay for the plan and for other costs charged by the RDC. A listed corporate has kindly donated $500 towads the project, and this has been used to buy 30 bags of cement, brick force and damp course. We need more bags of cement before we can start the project.
We are currently looking for a registered builder to lead this project, as required by the RDC.

This is the plot pegged by the RDC for the hall - 28m x 62m ( SEE PICTURE GALLERY )
116 wheelbarrow loads of 3/4 stones and 122 wheelbarrow loads of river sand received for the Hall Project so far with more to come. EBENEZER!!! I am humbled by the commitment of my people, Mwatipedza Village! 👏😀🌟The RDC is still to come and peg. SEE PICTURE GALLERY FOR IMAGES OF MATERIAL PROVIDED BY THE COMMUNITY
Windy Construction company profile - they kindly produced the Bill of Materials for us. Please support them ( REF PICTURE GALLERY )