A few days ago I joined a facebook group called Chigwada Patrons, not least because of the picture of the store I know so well – Hamamaoko, once owned and run by my old friend Thomas Gombera.
On the group, I posted some photos, asked people to follow the blog, and also for some new contributions of stories from people who have either been teachers or pupils at either Pakati Primary or Secondary school, or both. Word has also got around beyond the group. I will repeat that request in more detail further below.
I have had some responses, one of which has brought joy to my friend and regular contributor to this blog, Bothwell Riside (see https://friendsofpakati.com/2020/02/22/saturday-star-friend-of-pakati-bothwell-riside-brings-us-up-to-date/ for his most recent article). It appears I have re-united him with his early years Primary teacher, Mrs Maenzanise, and she is promising me her story very soon. She herself has made an appearance on this blog already, as she is the Head of Mapanga Primary school not far from Pakati (see https://friendsofpakati.com/2019/12/27/area-developments-projects-and-problems/ for one such post), her picture is below
A request from Friends of Pakati
Are you a former student or teacher at Pakati at either the Primary or Secondary? Would you be willing to tell our readers/friends/donors/supporters all about yourself?
STUDENTS
If so, here are the kind of things we are looking for: When were you at Pakati? Were you at Primary, Secondary or both? Who were your best friends at school? Are you still in touch? Which teachers do you remember and why? what were your favourite subjects? What was life like at home as a child? What was it like as a student at Pakati? What are you doing now? work? study? do you have a family? are you in Zimbabwe still? Do you have any pictures from then & now you would be willing to share on here?
TEACHERS
When were you at Pakati? for how long? Were you at the Primary or Secondary? What subjects did you teach? Where were you before you were at Pakati? Are you still teaching? What was life like as a teacher, both inside & outside the classroom? Are there any particular students you remember? What did you most enjoy about living at Pakati? What challenges did you face?
Please contact me through facebook messenger, or leave a comment on here or even email me at friendsofpakati@gmail.com
One of our fundraising events is coming up in a few weeks, and will be relaunched on here soon……
There will be a sports report on the 3 girls who made it to the Provincial athletics once I get the stories and hopefully pictures to go with it. I am told school sports are now moving into preparation for next term’s ball games – football, volleyball, netball – we hope for more success here too, along with full reports and stories/pics
I can today reveal that there is sone very good news from the Stephenson Group of Leeds..
I am waiting for some more up-to-date information on precise details, including pictures, of what they are intending to donate to Pakati schools this year. There may even be some other interesting things to come…I can’t say any more at this stage but I know there will be some delight if they come off…
Latest news: we are talking to a local internet provider to find ojt how much it will cost to install in the Pakati area – vital for the computers to be used to their full potential and therefore truly benefit Pakati students and the local community at large.
