By Hsiu-Ling Wu, Biggie Samson 

Zimbabwe, an inland country in southern Africa, faces an escalating crisis as droughts have led to water shortages and food insecurity. The delayed rainy season and poor harvests have left many communities in dire straits, with cholera outbreaks compounding the struggles of daily survival. But amid these challenges, Tzu Chi volunteers led by Tino Chu, are stepping up to bring much-needed relief, restoring hope to a land that desperately needs it. 

Water Scarcity: A Battle for Survival 

“Posters encouraging handwashing are everywhere in cholera hotspots, but how do you wash your hands without water?” Tino Chu laments the irony of public health messages that feel disconnected from the harsh realities on the ground. Communities across Zimbabwe struggle with severe water shortages, relying on contaminated sources like muddy ponds and stagnant pools, which only worsen the spread of cholera. 

Since 2023, Zimbabwe has been battling a severe cholera outbreak, as reported by the WHO. The first case emerged in Chegutu, a town southwest of Harare, and the disease quickly spread across all ten provinces, with Harare being particularly affected. By mid-2023, the outbreak had led to over 2,500 reported cases and 65 deaths. Cholera, primarily transmitted through contaminated water, has further devastated communities already struggling with extreme poverty. 

The scarcity of clean water is at the heart of the problem. Most people in rural Zimbabwe have no access to protected water sources. “Many people use makeshift cloth filters to strain their drinking water, but it’s not enough to stop the bacteria,” explains Chu, who has spent years working on relief efforts in the region. He’s seen children drink straight from filthy ponds, their thirst overpowering their awareness of the risks. And with climate change leading to less rainfall in recent years, even these contaminated sources are drying up. 

In response, provincial governors from five of Zimbabwe’s ten provinces have sought help from Tzu Chi. Local governments, financially strained and unable to afford the cost of repairing or digging wells, have turned to the volunteers for support. A single well requires about US$3,000 in parts and labor to repair—an impossible expense for most. Tzu Chi volunteers have mobilized teams to repair as many wells as possible, giving desperate communities access to clean water. 

Restoring Wells: Bringing Life Back to Villages 
    

Tzu Chi volunteers have developed an efficient system. Teams are sent out for missions lasting 12 to 14 days at a time, each group capable of repairing up to 30 wells during each trip. Since the cholera crisis worsened in September 2023, volunteers have restored over 500 wells, with another 120 fixed by February 2024. 

A recent trip to Magoma in Bindura district, 144 kilometers from Tzu Chi’s headquarters, saw volunteers working tirelessly to restore wells in cholera-hit areas. The local governor, deeply moved by their efforts, personally greeted the team and stayed late into the evening to witness the moment clean water finally flowed from the restored wells. It was a scene of joy and relief, as villagers celebrated with singing and dancing, their faces glowing with the realization that clean, safe water was now within reach. 

The process of restoring these wells is painstaking. Volunteers first clean the surroundings, often dealing with years of neglect, garbage, and even fly-infested water pools. Once cleared, they inspect the rusty iron pipes that have often corroded beyond use. In some cases, residents pitch in, using metal brushes to scrape off rust before volunteers weld broken parts and replace old, leaky components. 

Sometimes, the challenges go beyond technical difficulties. On one trip to the capital’s Mbare district in January 2024, volunteers encountered resistance from opposition political groups, who sought to exploit water shortages for political leverage. Despite these obstacles, Tzu Chi volunteers persevered, coordinating with local authorities and restoring 17 wells across nine areas, ensuring safe water for over 18,000 households. 

Feeding the Hungry: Nourishing Both Body and Spirit 

Water isn’t the only concern. Since Zimbabwe’s economy collapsed in 2000, inflation and drought have worsened the hunger crisis, with food becoming increasingly scarce. Tzu Chi volunteers also run 52 food distribution stations across the country, providing hot meals to some of the most vulnerable people—children and the elderly. Every Monday through Saturday, local volunteers cook and distribute meals, with an estimated 16,000 people relying on these services daily. 

In the village of Mhondoro, crowds gather at Tzu Chi’s distribution center, hoping for the only meal they might get that day. The scene is heart-wrenching—hungry children clutch their plates, waiting patiently for their turn. For many of them, this simple meal is the only source of nourishment they will receive for the entire day. 

Tino Chu, who personally helps serve the meals, has formed deep connections with the children, who view him as a loving figure in their lives. When elderly villagers come for their meals, volunteers respectfully hand them food, offering gratitude and care in every interaction. These moments of love, respect, and generosity create a warm atmosphere, as volunteers seek not only to provide for physical needs but also to nurture a sense of dignity and hope. 

Tzu Chi’s Compassionate Mission Continues

As the crisis in Zimbabwe continues, Tzu Chi volunteers remain unwavering in their commitment. Their work extends beyond wells and meals—they aim to uplift communities and plant seeds of compassion in the next generation. In every gathering, children are taught the values of respect, kindness, and resilience, with songs and stories of Tzu Chi’s humanitarian mission echoing through the air. 

Though the road ahead is long and full of challenges, these volunteers know that love, persistence, and community can bring change, even in the harshest conditions. Tzu Chi’s quiet but determined efforts offer a glimmer of hope in Zimbabwe’s parched lands, showing that even in the most difficult of times, seeds of hope can take root and grow.