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Leonard Ncube Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) on Friday took 100 Victoria Falls orphaned and vulnerable children (OVCs) on a tour of the Rainforest amid plans to adopt some of those living around its game parks.

There are close to 2,000 OVCs in Victoria Falls and Zimparks wants to extend a helping hand to some of them as part of its social responsibility programme.

Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri recently said programmes that ensure that communities around national parks benefit from wildlife would help in fighting rampant poaching.

The children after touring the Rainforest, were served lunch at the authority’s lodges in the resort town.

The children were identified from Victoria Falls’ 11 wards and were handpicked by child protection officers from each ward using the OVC register.

Zimparks spokesperson Caroline Washaya Moyo said plans were underway to host children annually countrywide.

“We’ve done the same for 147 OVCs with Marist Brothers and next week we will be in Darwendale and we want this replicated in all communities adjacent to game parks,” said Washaya-Moyo.

She said while privileged children could visit resort centres with their parents and schools, it was Zimparks duty to make sure the underprivileged were afforded the same opportunities.

“They don’t have to hear about resort centres from other people. This is going to be a permanent thing as we’re planning on making it an annual event not only for children but for the disadvantaged elderly as well,” she said.

“Next year we’re going to visit old people’s homes here and clean the homes as part of our social welfare programme.”

She said companies will be asked to participate in the programme and those that respond will also benefit.

“We’ll waive picnic and entry fees for those businesses that will respond to our call because we want the corporate world to come on board. We’ve schools visiting our national parks and resort areas and now we also want to raise ambassadors from the disadvantaged who can’t do this on their own so that we boost our domestic tourism,” said Washaya-Moyo.

Speaking on behalf of child protection unit, Joseph Mamvura from Ward 9 said the children were facing a myriad of challenges ranging from lack of food, school fees, clothes and access to services.