The Sunday News
IN its ongoing programme to commemorate the International Day of the African Child; Foundation Group of Colleges and Schools learner-driven “Thutshu — Charity Foundation” recently donated a consignment of goods to schoolchildren who are victims of the Tsholotsho flood disaster.
The well-deserved school donation containing an assortment of mainly secondhand clothes and stationery in the form of pens, rulers, pencils, erasers, charts and textbooks were handed over at Tshino Primary and Siphepha Secondary schools.
The two ceremonies were attended by the Matabeleland North Education Officer for Buildings, Mr Timothy Mabhena; Matabeleland North Learner Welfare, Psychological Services and Special Needs Education Officer, Mr Michael Mache; Tsholotsho Schools Inspector Mrs Mabutsi Ngozo; Tshino headmaster, Mr Andrew Ndlovu; Siphepha Secondary School headmaster, Mr Andrew Gabela; the schools’ SDC representatives; Foundation Group of Colleges and Schools Information and Development manager, Mr Joakim George Chakanyuka; College Guidance and Counselling Overseer and Standards Control Officer Mr Nkosilomusa Mabuza; teachers and learners from Tshino and Siphepha schools; Thutshu — Charity Foundation representatives and their brass band.
“The brass band composed of young crooners led in the singing of the National Anthem and provided mesmeric musical entertainment throughout the programme.
Clothing and cash contributions for the purchase of stationery were gleaned from some of the college’s sister schools staff members, peers, neighbours, friends and well-wishers of members of “Thutshu — Charity Foundation”.
Some of the objectives of the Charity Foundation, according to college officials include the mobilisation of requisite financial, material and human resources for alleviation of suffering of the needy/disadvantaged/the unfortunate people as well as to undertake acts of compassion to the aforementioned people. Its major purpose being the holistic moulding of college students.
A visibly elated Mr Ndlovu said in his acceptance speech: “Prior to the effects of the flood disaster my school had an enrolment of 554 pupils but now has ballooned to 951 pupils as we integrated 397 pupils in June from the now decommissioned Mahlaba and Mathuphula primary schools. We therefore, have a serious shortage of educational resources. We are glad that Unicef provided shelter in the form of tents for classroom activities. I heartily receive on behalf of my school, Foundation Group of Colleges and Schools God send donation which certainly brings relief to all of us’’.
Speaking on behalf of her fellow beneficiaries Iphilinda Maphosa, a Form 4 pupil, said, “It’s a great pleasure to know that they are charitable people like you who promote brotherhood of man be it in good or bad times. Your visit was unexpected. We are short of suitable words or superlatives to describe your kind gesture. We face some educational challenges because of the effects of floods. Schooling is somewhat a nightmare to little children who walk long distances, some ill-clad and often deprived of basic needs. The secondhand clothes you donated may be regarded as scrappy by some insensitive people but to the majority of us we know and appreciate that ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’, thank you, we wish you well.”
Speaking on behalf of the CEO of Foundation Group of Colleges and Schools, Mr Chakanyuka said, “Representatives of our Charity Foundation are donating goods to you in honour of the International Day of the African Child’s theme ‘Accelerating protection, empowerment and equal opportunities of the African Child by 2030’. Our students have elected to contribute meaningfully towards the protection of fellow needy students who have reportedly lost most of their valuable possessions caused by the merciless calamity (floods); hence the donation of clothing, a basic human physiological need so that you may be sufficiently dressed and warm in winter and consequently enabled to concentrate on your studies.
We also hope the donated stationery shall be handy and may assist your school’s responsible authorities in their quest to empower you socio-economically through the provision of adequate learning resources. The floods that struck here are a temporary setback and we envisage a bright future for you brought by all concerned well-wishers including our Charity Foundation.
We are confident that this misfortune will not deter you from matters pertaining to equal opportunities that should obtain at our tertiary training institutions and ultimately to employment and job creation prospects.
Do not be de-motivated by learning in temporary structures like tents but rather be optimistic that from modest conditions great achievements are possible.
Our Charity Foundation, inspired by many great achievers and one Jesse James who once said, ‘‘Never look down on someone, unless you are helping them up”, is not visiting you with the intention to treat you as objects of pity nor to engage you in a patronising manner, but on the contrary to give you comfort and hope that you need to persevere in the face of adversity until you succeed in life. We thank all stake holders who made this donation a reality.”
The school yard has stacks of bricks moulded by locals and borehole drilling equipment, a sure sign that development of vital infrastructure like durable classroom blocks and provision of clean water and hygiene facilities is in progress.
Mr Mabhena announced good news to Tshino Primary School, “I have recently received a telephone call confirming that a massive building material is on its way. Expect the construction of an upmarket classroom block with ceiling and tiles good enough to match a typical top-notch urban school classroom model. As a Ministry we are determined to offer quality education and equal opportunities to all Zimbabwean learners regardless of geographical location.”
Commenting on the dangers of child abuse at camping sites, Mr Mache said Disaster Management prescribes that vulnerable children in disaster zones be evacuated to safety nets.
“We have since moved primary school going children to Tshino Primary School and we offer them psycho-social service support. Children traumatised by the disastrous consequences of floods are rehabilitated by giving them basic counseling services. We work hand-in-hand with health officials to ensure that their nutritional, sanitation and hygiene needs are catered for. We are grateful for the Charity Foundation gift as it provides an enabling environment to impart educational services to learners with minimum burden to school facilitators”.
Foundation College, a household name renowned for providing quality education has also exhibited a reputation of providing charity work.
On 2 December 2015 the college in conjunction with Capernaum Trust donated goodies including stationery to Redbank Secondary Sschool, located 38 kilometres from Bulawayo in Nyamandlovu resettlement countryside. Over the years the College has offered numerous scholarships to needy scholars.
With its illustrious Social Work, it remains to be seen where “Thutshu — Charity Foundation’s” next port of call will be.
