WELEAD Team dates Domboshava youth on Constitution Awareness

Only three of the youths (trained) in Domboshava had knowledge of the Constitution prior to the training, and none of them could define it.

Zimbabwe: The WELEAD Team was in Domboshava on Friday, June 10, 2022, promoting public awareness of Zimbabwe's Constitution.

42 young people were trained on Constitution Awareness and then deployed to distribute 400 fliers and printed pages of the constitution throughout the Domboshava community.

Only three of the youths (trained) in Domboshava had knowledge of the Constitution prior to the training, and none of them could define it.

Most of them suggested that constitution material be written in Shona for better comprehension.

"Most of us do not understand English, so bringing us fliers written in Shona will make the process of disseminating such important information to our friends easier," Tarisai Howa explained.

400 residents were given fliers, photocopied pages of the constitution, and fundamental information.

The majority of residents asked similar questions, such as "when will the constitution be taught in schools?"

This question was said to be a follow-up after explaining Section 7 of the constitution.

"Residents in Domboshava are active listeners and ask questions; Section 7 of the Constitution assured them that the WELEAD Team was doing something legal by promoting public understanding of Zimbabwe's Constitution," said Prince Gora.

Unlike in other rural or remote areas where the 'We Know the Constitution' campaign was carried out, young women in Domboshava were active participants, walking more than 5 kilometres to distribute fliers at farms.

According to the results of the pre-evaluation forms completed by the majority of the participants, 34 participants never heard anything about the constitution on the radio or any other traditional medium.

It was discovered that a few residents own smartphones, but they are only used for Whatsapp, and they cannot afford to buy data all the time, so social media is not a source of information for them.

As a result, the physical campaign was a success because most people were eager to learn more and saw the event as a golden opportunity.

"For us, this is a golden opportunity that we cannot afford to pass up; it is important to understand why a team can decide to come and teach us about the constitution," said Mai Zvinashe.

She was among the 400 residents reached by trained volunteers.