Building Classrooms for Zvamaida Primary School

by The Rotary Club of Basildon Concord

Summary

The project in Zvamaida Community, Chegutu District of Zimbabwe, currently has a school pupil enrolment of 365 children, just one classroom block, no electricity and hole in the ground toilets. Most of the children are taught under thatched buildings or trees. The children walk long distances to get to school and most are undernourished and impoverished. The aim is to build a total of 6 classrooms, provide electricity, a new water borehole, Ecosan toilets, plus sanitary facilities for the girls.

$30,000
total goal

$25,499
remaining

13
days

Challenge

Inadequate infrastructure and learning outside the classrooms causes school children to be disturbed during windy, sunny, cold and rainy days. Poor infrastructure reduces children's concentration leading to failure in their studies. During a needs assessment that was conducted in May 2018, by The Ministry of Social Welfare, it noted children were attending classes in make-shift classrooms and the inadequacy of this to provide children with a good education. See Project document re funding plan.

Solution

Construction of the new classrooms will greatly diminish the need for students having to learn in inadequate buildings and also for suitable school desks to be provided. This will also encourage children to attend school and give them more self-esteem, confidence and aspirations. The provision of electricity is also important as indeed will be a new dedicated water bore-hole. Improved sanitary toilet facilities will be further progress in the development of the school.

Long-Term Impact

Around 365 children will have access to a school that not only has 6 new classrooms, but also electricity, an improved water supply, new toilet facilities and a learning environment more appropriate and conducive for learning. This will ensure higher attendance levels at the school and a more positive view towards the importance of education. The health of the children should improve - benefiting from all the new facilities including sanitary facilities for the girls.