Greetings everyone! Welcome to the Friends of Pakati review of the first half of 2023…our 5th year of existence & still going strong👍
We start, though, with a sad tale, particularly for me (the Author) personally….
In late December 2022 my father passed away aged 92, and we had a funeral for him in early January this year. I paid a personal tribute to him here on the blog https://friendsofpakati.com/2023/01/15/looking-back-a-very-personal-story/
I also talked about him & my Mum with our podcast host, Bradley Mell. Have a listen here: https://friendsofpakati.com/2023/01/15/friends-of-pakati-podcast-episode-14/
We have looked at local Primary schools in the Ward 14 area of Murewa District, as there has been several good news stories recently. There have been new staff toilets, Wifi installations, and a new borehole/water tank. Here are the links to find out more: https://friendsofpakati.com/2023/02/19/latest-news-from-friends-of-pakati-3/ & https://friendsofpakati.com/2023/06/18/pakati-primary-latest-developments/
We have also reported on two of our representatives, Debbie Chadbon & Lorraine Mapuranga, as they met for the first time in 30 years, along with the Author. This waa possible due to former Pakati Secondary student Lorraine’s arrival into the UK. Links to these stories are here: https://friendsofpakati.com/2023/02/05/from-pakati-to-south-east-england/ & https://friendsofpakati.com/2023/04/08/3-friends-of-pakati-re-united/
I was particularly taken by the collection of photos Debbie has from het time in Zimbabwe, so much so there are a couple of blogs about them: https://friendsofpakati.com/2023/04/10/debbies-photos/ and https://friendsofpakati.com/2023/06/06/more-of-debbies-pakati-pictures/
One of the great things for me with Friends of Pakati since it started, has been reuiniting with so many people I knew between 1989 & 1991. Obviously the majority are former students, but also some former teachers – particularly former colleagues, not least Mr Takawira Siyawamwaya, seen below.
Mr Siyawamwaya taught at Pakati Secondary school in 1990, and shared accommodation with me. We managed to record a podcast with him not long ago, & posted it here: https://friendsofpakati.com/2023/04/24/friends-of-pakati-podcast-episode-14-2/
There is always something people can do to support us in our Vision – https://friendsofpakati.com/2020-vision-friends-of-pakati-the-project-continues/ – in several different ways: on social media by sharing & liking our posts – use @friendsofpakati to find us on facebook, twitter & instagram – but also financially via http://gofundme.com/friends-of-pakati or http://paypal.me/friendsofpakati as we seek to send more IT, sports equipment, and other help to both Pakati schools.
Thank you, please keep following us & spreading the word!
