Five members of the Haarlem-Mutare City Partnership paid an inspiring working visit to Zimbabwe, where they reached hundreds of children with educational water games.
After eighteen intensive days, Els, Marjolein, and Dik Bol have returned to Haarlem. Former teachers Kitty and Hans will remain for a few more weeks to visit their former schools. The delegation looks back on a particularly valuable visit to sister city Mutare, where water and education took center stage.
An Invitation with Impact
The trip took place at the invitation of the VEI, the organization supporting the municipality of Mutare in connecting the last 20% of households to drinking water. “The VEI considers it extremely important that attention is paid to the social side of water management,” says Dik Bol. “They do not have time for that themselves. We can fulfill that role.”
The collaboration received immediate high-level recognition: the delegation had a good conversation with the new Dutch ambassador, Mathijs van Eeuwen, about the significance of this type of city partnership project. Six Hundred Children Play Aqua Heroes
At the heart of the visit was the educational board game Aqua Heroes, a serious game about water management. With three complete sets — each consisting of four sub-games — the delegation visited six municipal primary schools. No fewer than six hundred pupils were introduced to themes such as water quality, water conservation, and river protection through play.
Ms. Machona, Head of Community Services, accompanied the delegation at each school and consistently emphasized the importance of this educational tool. Two interns from Mutare Teachers College supported the game days.
Seventeen secondary school students from the Junior Councils were also trained as future ambassadors. And at Mutare Girls High School, 47 pupils played along enthusiastically under the watchful eye of Headmistress Mrs. Mbizi, who is keen to distribute the games to other schools.
More Than Just Games
In addition to the board games, the delegation brought along a water quality test kit from the Drinkable Rivers Foundation, which is now managed by the Municipality of Mutare. The municipal council received a presentation on the town twinning and the Connect Healthy Rivers project. The plans extend further: Headmaster Jakati Tonderai wants to adapt Aqua Heroes to the Zimbabwean situation and establish communication between Haarlem and Zimbabwean students via vlogs. Ideas for street theater about water emerged with Keaven Simomondo of Mutare-Haarlem Arts and Culture, and discussions were held with sports leader Alan Mandya regarding combined sports and cleanup activities.
The Future
In consultation with Noel Israel Mushangwe, Deputy Director of Housing and Community Services, work is now underway on a joint action plan for both cities. The Mutare River Rehabilitation Initiative is also involved.
“It was an intensive period,” concludes Dik Bol. “Just imagine that we also had to check all the games in the evenings after the game days had ended. But the energy and enthusiasm of the children and teachers made every effort more than worthwhile.”
A detailed report will follow as soon as Hans and Kitty are back in the Netherlands.
Want to know more about the Haarlem-Mutare City Partnership or the Aqua Heroes project? Contact the City Partnership.
