Last year, I returned to Pakati for the first time since 1992. I met the Head, Mr Mugove Chifaka, and we talked about the school and development. I told him about the things I could see had changed, he told me about what changes he would like to see in the coming years. The one thing he mentioned more than any other was computers. He felt the students would benefit greatly, and the standard of education would improve accordingly. During these discussions the idea formed between us about how I might be able to help if I could. This project began that day.
Since then, things have moved forward. Website set up, fundraising page set up, twitter and facebook presence created. Sponsored walk set up, trained for and completed. Advertising on local media lead to various interesting developments. Links to sponsors/supporters developed (see our sponsors/supporters page). Donations offered and accepted. Fundraising still ongoing. Offers of further funds and publicity still coming forward.
http://gofundme.com/friends-of-pakati
http://twitter.com/friendsofpakati
http://facebook.com/Friends-of-pakati
Friends of pakati is growing and more developments are coming. But the question is, what does all this mean for Pakati? Several contacts have been in touch with me on a regular basis, and they have helped by giving their thoughts to me. Below are several of those comments, and who made them.
Let me start with perhaps the most important contributors – some of the current crop of students. Thanks to English teacher and Deputy Head for gathering the comments below:
Basil Chapaguta 2A “Computers will help us to research our homework easily”.
Abigail Chakanetsa 4B (she’s also Ward 14 Junior Counselor) ” Being computer literate keeps us in trend with the changing modern technology and e-learning is the way to go”.
Belinda Machika 1A ” I love playing games on my dad’s phone. I can image playing educational games on a big screen. I have never used a computer before”.
Clever Zoraunye 2A ” learning using computers is a dream come true. At least we will now get basic computer skills which will help us and make researching easier”
One of the current staff also gave her thoughts to us:
Ms Mwaashidzana the Fashion and fabrics teacher said that “…computers are a move in the right direction. It will enable the learners to keep up with the current educational curriculum which has made computers a must have for all schools. It’s unfortunate that rural schools are currently lagging behind”
Former student Doc Bothwell Riside had this to say:
“Computers play a pivotal role in the education of the children . The support information storage and ease of retrieval of the information in administration. When connected to the internet they assist in researches for students. Hence students may get more information on a topic. Pakati school being a rural school would open the student’s horizons to the outside world. It is prudent to note that the coming in of computers will aim to enhance a holistic education. Computers and Internet will leave the poor rural marginalised schools at a certain level.”
There are several other contributors who will give other perspectives on this topic, I will add their thoughts and comments in part 2, to follow in a day or two.
