By Stewart Mantula | Project Leader
Since March 2017, Community Foundation for the Western Region of Zimbabwe (CFWRZ) received generous donations from friends, partners and well wishers on behalf of the Mangwe community for the construction of Mapukane secondary school. Since March 2017, a total of $2 571.58 has been donated through the GlobalGiving crowd funding platform. All in all, this project requires a total of $40 000.00 meaning therefore that there remains a deficit of $37 428.42, an amount that community members cannot raise themselves hence CFWRZ efforts in soliciting for funds on their behalf.
At the beginning of the year 2018, the school development committee as well as selected community members held a meeting to discuss the way forward in the construction of the school. The funds raised so far have been used to purchase 230 bags of cement. They alluded to the fact that the materials they had secured, were insufficient to commence construction. Locally available materials have been pulled together but some essential materials are still required for the completion of the project.
In the year 2017, CFWRZ made efforts to match the funds raised so far. Proposals were developed and sent to the Japanese embassy as well as the Australian Embassy. Unfortunately these proposals were not successful. Management has gone back to the drawing board to identify other organisations that may be able to match the funds raised so far. CFWRZ continues to solicit small donations from friends and partners and hopes that construction of the school will commence before the end of the year.
Even though progress is at snail’s pace, communities remain motivated and are enthusiastic that this project will one day be a success. They are appealing for continued support and believe that even though it may take some time before they finally realise their dream but with the support of the world they will fulfill its mandate of providing a safe and conducive learning environment for their children.
Mapukane Secondary School will benefit approximately 400 children from four remote villages in mangwe district. These children are forced to walk approximately 20km each day to reach the nearest school and because of these long walks they are vulnerable to several risks such as rape, kidnapping and unwanted pregnancies. Construction of the new school will not only provide a conducive learning environment but will also help improve pass rate, reduce school dropout rate and also improve social behavior within the community.
The Foundation expresses much gratitude friends, partners and well wishers who share the same vision as these community members donated in the previous year. It is a fact that education plays a pivotal in bringing about social, political and economic development. It is only through attaining a solid education that one or even nations at large are able to make learned decisions and therefore escape the clutches of not only practical poverty but also mental poverty. It is on this that CFWRZ and community members from Mangwe district are appealing for continued support to help them realize their dream of constructing Mapukane Secondary School.
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