There will be some who have not seen our blog & website, so this is designed as both a reminder and an introduction to Friends of Pakati, its vision, its history, its key people, and what further support we need in 2021.
Vision
See our vision & how it has developed here https://friendsofpakati.com/2020-vision-friends-of-pakati-the-project-continues/
History
The Author – Chris Walker – was a teacher at Pakati Secondary school between 1989 and 1991, through the UK international development charity, VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas).
I revisited Pakati in 2018, that is when I met the current Head, Mr Mugove Chifaka (see above photo). We discussed developments at the school, and when asked what development he would most like to see, he said ‘computers’. That single word – computers – is what really launched Friends of Pakati. The actual launch, after 3 months of preparation, was on 16th January, 2019. This coincided with the 30th anniversary of the day I first set foot in a classroom at Pakati as a newly qualified teacher in 1989.
This website was created, a social media presence added, email set up, and a fundraising page was developed. There was media interest from local press & local radio in my home town of Scunthorpe, and support from many who know me through the local football club, Scunthorpe United.
A sponsored walk from Bradford City (where I live) to Scunthorpe United (my home town) before a match between the two, raised a fair amount, and all we raised by August was doubled by the Chairman of SUFC, Pater Swann.
2019 saw us deliver donated IT & sports equipment to the Schools..
..and in spite of Covid19 delaying us, we continued to raise funds throughout 2020. See what we have raised since we began… https://friendsofpakati.com/fundraising/
Present
Our current activities include selling merchandise…
…see https://friendsofpakati.com/merchandise/ plus a fundraising challenge…. https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/01/24/pcs-to-pakati/
..see how we are doing.. https://friendsofpakati.com/pcs-to-pakati-check-our-progress/
Future
From the vision link seen above, and the ambitious fundraising challenge, it is clear we are aiming high this year, in spite of Covid 19 and its effects around the world. Donations and sales have still been coming in, and I am hearing of more to come from a variety of sources. Regular updates are added, including here: https://friendsofpakati.com/income-expnditure-monthly-information/
The current plan is still to go ahead and visit later this year to take more IT equipment and other items to benefit the two schools. Our vision inlcudes trying to get internet connection (probably via Satellite) to the schools and surrounding area. There is also the possibility of getting help to 3 other nearby schools if funds permit.
Any donations to either http://Paypal.me/friendsofpakati or http://gofundme.com/friends-of-pakati
Contact us via our important links – https://friendsofpakati.com/important-links/
Around the website
There are a number of other fascinating pages here on the site, including school histories (https://friendsofpakati.com/pakati-secondary-school-2/ and https://friendsofpakati.com/pakati-primary-school/ ) and profiles/stories of people conneted to the two schools here: https://friendsofpakati.com/meet-pakati-people-profiles-and-success-stories/
People behind the scenes
As with many ventures, behind the scenes there are several key players supporting Friends of Pakati. Below are the ones most involved, the driving forces, including the Heads of the two Pakati schools, the local Councillor, two former students of the schools, another former teacher like the Author from the UK, and an important employee of the main donor organisation for IT equipment, https://www.stephensonpersonalcare.com
There are of course too many others to mention who have helped & continue to help us, with their stories, their donstions in various forms, with their help to publicise us on social.media, the internet, radio & press, as well individual word of mouth. THANK YOU ALL👍
