Friends of Pakati – 6 Months Review

Welcome to the review of our first 6 months of 2022! I am going to cheat a little, as we already have a 3-month review, January to March – so here that is:

https://friendsofpakati.com/2022/04/03/2022-1st-quarter-so-far-so-good/

Since then, we have had quite an eventful time…😁

Alison, Hannah & Ian Got Tied Up For Pakati!

Many of my fellow fans of Scunthorpe United – the Iron – Got Tied Up For Pakati on 23rd April! Over that weekend we raised over £1000 for Friends of Pakati, boosting our total funds significantly.

Great support from Iron fans!

Thanks to the newest member of our ‘team’, Bradley Mell, we now have an ever-growing series of podcasts. Initially they were Brad interviewing the Author, in Episodes 1-3. Since then, we have spoken to team members Lorraine Mapuranga, Bothwell Riside, & Debbie Chadbon, plus another with close connections to Pakati, Pastor Aggie Fombo.

Here is the link to the page where you can find all our podcasts so far: https://friendsofpakati.com/friends-of-pakati-podcasts/

In addition to the audio podcasts, we have also done our first video podcast (above) – the first of many we hope!

We have had reports from both schools, firstly from the two Heads – Mr Chifaka (Secondary) & Mr Mahachi (Primary). Here is what they sent to me, outlining an issue which would become significant in the second report.

https://friendsofpakati.com/2022/05/08/4-things/

The solar power systems at both Pakati schools are in need of upgrading

The second report is more comprehensive, & comes in two parts. Lorraine Mapuranga, member of our team, is responsible to a large degree for the 2-part report following her visit to both schools recently.

Here are the 2 parts:

https://friendsofpakati.com/2022/06/12/pakati-schools-report-part-1-the-challenges/

https://friendsofpakati.com/2022/06/19/pakati-schools-report-part-2-overcoming-challenges/

Lastly, we are preparing for our next fundraising event in early July:

Lots of work is going on to make it a success, but full reports will be posted after the event. We will of course provide a full report afterwards, and updates on social media from time to time.

Plenty to look forward to in the next 6 months too – including:

  • Report on our latest fundraising event
  • More podcasts & videos
  • Help from Huddersfield Uni Business students
  • Discussions around helping the schools
  • Build up to my visit in September
  • Full report from Pakati

Stay with us!

Author:

My name is Chris Walker, and between January 1989 and September 1991 I worked, through VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas), at Pakati Secondary School in Murehwa South district in Zimbabwe. I was a Maths teacher for 2 years, the Acting Head for the last 8 months there. I have also taught in Botswana & the UK, had 4 years working for VSO, and have been a Civil Servant in Bradford since 2005.

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