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Staff Writer
Imagine learning under a tree shade and suddenly, your fortunes are changed to an enabling environment of acquiring education in a well-furnished classroom.
For those who have not seen a lesson conducted under a tree shade, it appears so remote. However, such a scenario is a reality in marginalised rural schools.
What the learners ask for is an enabling environment. No wonder, the pass rate in makeshift schools is low – even hitting zero pass rate.
One such school which conducted lessons under such conditions is a 300-plus pupil school in Chegutu.
The name Zvamaida means what we wanted, or what they wanted.
Is it coincidence or did the “Imagine Rotary” mantra of bridging the gaps, bringing caring hearts to the needy see what the scholars wanted?
Zvamaida is a rural primary school in Chegutu. Learning took place under tree shades. You can imagine what it was like under the October scorching heat.
With the May cold spell setting in wintery days and the January drenching storms, the going was tough. No proper learning takes place under such conditions. For the first time, the students will say goodbye to the vagaries of the weather.
A milestone indeed, thanks to Hope for African Communities (HAC), who notified Rotarians of this dire marginalised school. The timely intervention by the Rotary Club of Basildon Concorde (UK), the Rotary Club of Hunyani, Chegutu Rural District Council and The Rotary Foundation, the funding arm of the global philanthropic organisation, Rotary International made the dream of a school a reality.
Prior to this, the over 300 pupils at Zvamaida Primary School had only one classroom block, with most of the children being taught under a thatched shed and trees.
Touched by their plight, HAC engaged the Department of Social Welfare in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare to assist in undertaking a needs assessment survey in 2018. The findings confirmed that the environment was not conducive to the impartation of good quality education as it disturbed their concentration, resulting in a high failure rate.
The handing over of the six classroom blocks became a reality on Friday, 29th September 2022, with Rotary International’s Mozambique-based District Governor for the southern African region, Mrs. Manuela Matambo-Bettencourt, paying a special visit to Zimbabwe.
Known as District 9210, covering Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique, the District Governor graced the grand occasion and breathed reality into the future.
The Chegutu Rural District Council has given a nod for occupation with final touches being taken, just in time to bring that awesome change ahead of the rainy season.
The phew feeling was a reality with smiling students beaming with joy, Imagine Rotary, bridging the gap.
The arms of unity saw The Rotary Club of Hunyani supervising the construction work on the ground.
Hunyani’s Past President, Dr. Paradza Paradza said the objective, apart from the six classrooms, more still needs to be done.
“A library, solar power, more ablution facilities, classroom, library, furniture as well as staff training to ensure the sustainability of the project will see the project completed,” said Mr. Paradza.
The current President of The Rotary Club of Hunyani, Mrs. Agnes Madzedze spoke on the strength of unity of purpose in the realisation of Zvamaida to be fulfilled.
“Seed funding came in the form of a grant from The Rotary Foundation, supported further through crowdfunding, as well as donations from well-wishers mobilised by the Rotary Club of Basildon Concorde,” President Madzedze said.
“This is a major step towards the attainment of the Government’s National Development Strategy 1 programme and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals on the provision of basic education and literacy,” President Agnes Madzedze said.
With no money paid to anyone as handling fees, all Rotary proceeds are channelled into identified project.
Speaking into this, Rotary Club of Hunyani Service Projects chair Charity Marechera expounded on how it is possible.
“Such partnership arrangements, which bring together arms of Government and Rotary International’s global network of partners, is the hallmark that sets Rotary apart. Almost 100 percent of its activities mirror the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and, without exception, total funding is directed towards beneficiaries with none going to administration or other ‘side’ expenses.
“All the cooperating partners, Rotary Clubs of Basildon Concorde, Hunyani, HAC, and the Chegutu Rural District Council are excited and believe that the enrolment at Zvamaida School will be boosted given the increased carrying capacity and the conducive learning environment,” said the Rotary Club of Hunyani Service Projects chair Charity Marechera.
Equipped with the correct tools for education, Zvamaida will show the difference between mere attendance to enabled learning.
The pass rate is set to improve, education is the foundation for a brighter tomorrow.
Imagine Rotary, remains the compass sign.