Bringing Technology to Rural schools in Zimbabwe

Thank you for your continued support of our Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) project. This project is at the heart of our organization and is our strategy for bridging the digital divide that exists between rural and urban schools in Zimbabwe. Lack of access to technology is causing a digital divide that is disadvantaging a whole generation of kids growing up in these rural areas.The vision of this project is to build the ICT capacity of rural teachers while providing computers and internet access to rural schools in Chipinge. It also aims to provide access to technology to rural students with the objective of arming them with the twenty first century skills that will place them on a level playing field to better compete for jobs.

Rural schools are operating on shoestring budgets and yet they are now required by the Ministry of Education to offer basic computer training. Sadly, due to lack of computers the training is not effective as students don’t have hands on training. For the few rural schools that have computers, students have limited access to the computers. The student to computer ratio at most of these rurals schools is 1,500 students to 5 computers. For the training to be effective, students need more access to computers.

Latest Update

Todate we donated 10 computers to Rimbi and Mbeure Primary Schools. We are pleased to announce that due to this programme, the students at Rimbi and Mbeure Primary schools have gained basic computer training. Here is what the Rimbi Primary headmaster and two of the students are saying about the ICT project:

In Their Own Words By Rimbi Primary Headmaster
"We are very grateful to have received five computers donated by The Tekeshe Foundation. The basic ICT training we offer at Rimbi Primary was very limited as it was just based on theory. The practical aspect of the education was lacking because we didn’t have any computers. We taught the kids about the keyboard, mouse etc. but it was not that effective because everything was based on the kid's imagination. This donation has greatly enhanced our ICT training, however, we still need more computers. The student to computer ratio is 1,500 students to 5 computers. We thank you in advance for assisting us with this request."

In Their Own Words By Tatenda
"My name is Tatenda. I am a grade 6 student at Rimbi Primary. ICT has helped us a lot. We stored the books that were given to us on the computer. We are able to read the books on the computer. We are also able to search the internet for information. Thank you for donating computers to Rimbi Primary. We are asking you to help us with more computers. Having additional computers would greatly help us. Currently, we have limited access as there are many other students who also need to use the computers."

In Their Own Words By Learnmore
"My name is Learnmore and I am a grade 7 student at Rimbi Primary. ICT has helped me in a number of ways. I can now search the internet for information that I use for my homework. I can also type information in a Word document. Thank you for donating five computers to Rimbi Primary. We are kindly asking you to help us with more computers."

Even though we still have a long way to go, thank you so much for what we have accomplished together so far. We couldn't have done it without your help!

We hope that your hearts will be filled with so much joy this Christmas season as you reflect on the impact that your  donations are having on these rural kids.

Thanks again for all your support!

Best wishes,
Thelma