Outcome Mapping Workshop

PACDEF staff had a fruitful 2 and 1/2 days at La Rochelle, Penhalonga, Mutare from 8-10 May, training on Outcome Mapping. Outcome Mapping is a new planning, monitoring and evaluation method that PACDEF would be glad to employ in earnst this year on wards.
Barbara Jochheim, the WFD representative in Zimbabwe was the facilitator. Her method was participatory involving focus group discussions and plenary session discussions. Participation levels were very high and every participant learned a lot through this process. By the end of the two and half days, PACDEF had a clear vision, mission statement, progress challenge and  progress markers. Time was not sufficient enough to complete all that the workshop intended to cover. For this reason, PACDEF and Barbara agreed to meet again early June to finalize the stage on planning.

Barbara makes a point in a workshop in Mutare

The following week, 14-15 May 2012, Tsitsi Maradze, the Development Consultancy, hired by GIZ in liaison with more than 12 partners in Zimbabwe came to Mutare to provide M&E technical backstopping assistance to PACDEF. Her method was Results Based Management, which is a different approach to Outcome Mapping but very popular and also have a wide use in development projects including peacebuilding work worldwide. The two days were full of great learning for all the staff members at PACDEF. In addition to the Outcome Mapping generated vision, mission and progress challenge, we at PACDEF managed to develop a project purpose for the Buhera District peacebuilding project, impact, outcome, outputs and indicators. Time was not also sufficient to complete all that was intended, especially more work needs be done in coming up with more indicators for the outputs and outcome. There is great hope at PACDEF that the work in the field will be able to focus on making a lasting impact and the right tools will be in place to monitor and evaluate such progress.

Zimbabwe's Tertiary Colleges' Sports

Mutare city is proud to be hosting the 2012 Zimbabwe's Tertiary Games in style starting today. All the major tertiary colleges around: Africa University, Mutare Polytechnic, Mutare Teachers' College, Magamba Technical College and Mary Mount Teachers' College are all hosting hundreds of students and staff from all over the country's tertiary colleges. Midlands State University, Mlezu Agricultural College,  Mkoba Teachers' College, Gwebi Agricultural College, and Gweru Polytechnic among others have all converged in Mutare city for this prestigeous sporting week. Sport plays a great role in Zimbabwean social life. The most popular sport is soccer. However, Zimbabweans are in different sporting disciplines including volley ball, basket ball, net ball, tennis ball, swimming, athletics, as well as high and long jumping. Prior to the

Zimbabwe's Tertiary Students, Professors & Supporters march in Mutare city.

Sports brings together people from different social, economic, religious, political and geographical backgrounds. These diversities can be a source of conflict for people if mishandled but through sports, people not only have the time to compete, but they also have the time to interact, share space, views and discover their common needs albeit their differences. Thus, sporting activities are great medium for peacemaking in Zimbabwe. Sports  provide learning opportunities for all involved. People learn about other people's ways of life in an environment different from theirs. There is learning about the opportunities available in one's region of origin when compared to those of others such as Manicaland and Mutare.

Mutare's mountains make it uniquely beautiful

Mutare is a city surrounded by mountains, making it one of the beautiful cities in Zimbabwe. Currently, it is warm in Mutare during the day though temperatures are low in the evenings, nights and early mornings.


Author: Jonathan Mutambaneshiri
(PACDEF: Field Officer)
& Masango Matimura (M&E Officer)

Museum Day Celebration in Mutare City

Today, the 18th of May 2012, Mutare city became alive with beautiful music as the military brass band and primary schools' drum marjorettes march from one end of the city to the other through the city center led by a police escort group. This year's march runs under the theme "Museum in a changing world." On display while marching were two old model automobiles leading the procession. Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples. The blending of civilians and the military in providing entertainment demystifies the perception of fear that is associated with being in the army. For this reason, such events do of necessity promote peaceful coexistence for the people of Zimbabwe and residents of Mutare city. Mutare city has one musuem that is very popular with school going children and parents in general because of its display of embelmed and live  reptiles and birds.

PACDEF gratefully covered this spectacular event seeing its great contribution to the promotion of peace in Mutare and indeed, Zimbabwe.

Authors: Jonathan Mutambaneshiri (PACDEF: Field Officer) & Masango Matimura (M&E Officer)