There are some relatively small fundraising activities either planned or ongoing, which together will add to our ability to help the two Pakati schools. One larger event is planned as well. At the bottom of this post is a request for more ideas…
Approach road – ahead for the Secondary, left takes you to the Primary
One is from former Pakati Secondary school teacher, Debbie Chadbon. She tells me that she grows a mixture of crops on her allotment, here is part of the message she sent me earlier:
“I am planning to have a harvest stall at a local sale trail selling homemade jams and chutneys and pumpkins we have grown on our allotment, to raise funds for Pakati.”
Debbie in preparation for the now-postponed Bristol 10km, taken in March 2020
Later she sent this message: “I will take a picture of my allotment although it’s not looking it’s best as everything is beginning to die off now. I’ll also take some pictures of the stall on the day of the fayre. Every so often in our area they have a sale trail, where people can set up a stall outside their house and sell stuff – like a car boot fayre without the car. They produce a map on social media highlighting where all the stalls are. This time because it is harvest time they are also having tables in the local church grounds which you can hire and sell produce. Because we live in a cul de sac I didn’t think we would get much footfall so I have decided to hire a table in the church grounds. Hopefully the weather will be kind and fingers crossed it isn’t cancelled due to COVID (otherwise I’ll be giving lots of jam and chutney for Christmas presents!). I am planning on doing the Bristol 10K run next May. I have been going for a short run once a week but wouldn’t be up for 10K anytime soon! Best wishes Debbie”
Debbie at Pakati Secondary school. 1992
The second is by a fellow Scunthorpe United fan Gary Lundie, who is based in Glasgow, Scotland. He has odered some unique badges for sale, and is publicising them on his twitter feed and facebook page.
Gary says he is willing to given a portion of his sales to Friends of Pakati (as well as local charities in Scunthorpe), and it is great of him to consider doing that for us – a big THANK YOU from Friends of Pakatiđź‘Źđź‘Ź. He has had a delivery of them and says they are selling well🤞
Badges for sale
As reported here https://friendsofpakati.com/2020/09/19/september-2019-to-september-2020/ there is also the Author’s weight loss, which is also generating funds. That particular idea has run its course and come 1st October, I will only carry on for my own self. I do expect one or two further donations as a result.
losing weight, September 2020
The question is, what should I, or we at Friends of Pakati, do to raise funds in the next 12 months? Could be something large or small, we will consider all thoughts before chosing. We are therefore asking for suggestions please…
Since January 2019, Friends of Pakati has been trying to raise funds for IT equipment for the two Pakati schools. As ever, http://gofundme.com/friends-of-pakati is open for donations
We spent ÂŁ2700 of that on items such as support for a sponsored walk, additional IT and ancilliary equipment to supplement the donations, plus storage and transportation of the various goods from here in the UK all the way to Pakati.
September 2019 was a very memorable time for all of us connected to Friends of Pakati, as we delivered the IT & sports goods to the schools with great celebration from the community and local dignitories.
In the year since then things have changed dramatically. We planned a number of fundraising events and discussed other ideas, most of which then became put on the back burner thanks to Corona Virus globally.
Some of the things we had planned were temporarily abandoned, postponed, as the events we were relying on – a 10km run and a football match – were called off.
However, one thing has been ongoing, is the Author’s challenge – to lose weight and ask people to donate for Friends of Pakati. Here is how it is going…
From a starting point of 113.4kg in mid-January to mid-September with a weight of 98.8kg means I have lost 14.6kg overall…this has lead to some if the donations in recent weeks
This haa left us with a total of ÂŁ314.96 as confirmed at https://friendsofpakati.com/fundraising/ recently. There are things we woukd like to buy for the schools (see https://friendsofpakati.com/2020-vision-friends-of-pakati-the-project-continues/ ) so it is vital we keep the funds coming in. We also need some new fundraising ideas and help to spread the word. Can you help? Do you know anyone who might help us too? Can you share this with your contacts please? Thank youđź‘Ťđź‘Ť
Firstly, Schools re-opening in Zimbabwe – Exam classes are re-starting at both Pakati Prinary and Secondary schools soon. There will be protocols in place to protect staff and students alike, see below:
A recent exchange of messages between myself and the Heads of the two Pakati schools is shown below:
“Good morning. Regarding the Questions you asked: Schools will open for exam classes, Cambridge (A levels) – 14 September and ZIMSEC (O levels and Grade 7) – 28 September. All teachers will be at school. There is a Covid 19 guide lines module prescribed by Education ministry in partnership with Health ministry (see image above). Other groups will subsequently come but there is no date yet. I think government and UNICEF will provide majority of PPEs, as yet we are still to know what exactly they will provide.
At the Secondary we are doing markings for individual desks (for social distancing). We are doing this as we wait for ministry’s assistance. We don’t know what we will get, but the schools are doing their best to meet the requirements.”
Secondly, there are some road improvements underway within Ward 14, into the area which includes the catchment area for Pakati schools:
First of all, let me thank the following people for their help in providing information, pictures, advice and/or contacts:
Alderman Israel Maliki (Councillor for Ward 14, Murewa), Mai Mapanga (Road Project Treasurer) and in particular, Oscar Bumhe (Chairman).
Full list of Committee members to be found withinthe following message I received from the Chairman, Oscar:
There are 2 areas of the road requiring special attention as identified by the Engineer. We require cement over 700bags of cement to fix these dilapidated areas. Our capacity to mobilize resources to this extent is now stretched to the limit. We have a fully fledged committee constituted as follows :
Oscar Bumhe – Chairman Eileen Chinyuku – vice chairlady Chris Gutsa- Treasurer Petros Majonga-Secretary Wiriranai Karimbika-logistics Other comittee members: Roderick Matemadombo (UK) Succeed Chikuvire(UK) Misheck Masango Enock Matemadombo Mrs Mapanga Maxmos Bosha Charles Jaji
We welcome any form of contribution that anyone can mobilize towards this communal initiative designed to improve the lives of the people of this community. Sky is the limit. We aim to further the development of our area resources permitting.
We are creating others too, including everything about the Schools – classrooms, equipment, IT, lessons, etc., also local area developments – roads, joint ventures etc. If other things appear appropriate, we will create more pages.
Forthly and finally for this post, part 2’s. There are a number of Part 2’s being prepared for the blog, including Portia Nemaruru, Mr Mutyavaviri, and Pastor Aggie Fombo. In addition, our storyteller Pauline Machengo will bring us more about her tale of life as a foreigner in South Africa. The next chapter is about Capetown life she tells me, particularly for tourists.
First let us hear ftom Mrs Pindura, Deputy Head of Pakati Secondary school:
“The blog is very insightful and refreshing. I like your vision of bringing the Pakati community and its alumni together through sharing stories on the blog. I have seen many people moved by your efforts on the blog enough to see your vision as it is and want to step ahead with you, e.g. donors who have given us computers, sports uniforms among many other things. Your efforts in facilitating all this and personal expenses incurred is very much appreciated. I like the fact that you have managed to mobilise local leaders to rally behind you because they have seen that you dont just talk but act well. Your word is to be trusted and for that we thank you. I hope more people chip in, more alliances continue to be forged, and I hope the blog continues to be interactive and flourish.”
Jim Coulson, left, interviewing Daniel (age 13 then!) as Max Bell looks on
Jim Coulson, freelance content writer, radio presenter and video maker, plus former Stadium Announcer at Scunthorpe United: “It’s amazing to see the great work going on through this project and everyone should be so proud of what they have achieved and are continuing to do. Also, I’m a big fan of spreading the word of Scunthorpe United far and wide too!”
Neal Campbell, Chair of the Scunthorpe United Official Supporters Club (SUOSC) told me recently that…: “I think the blog looks good. Hearing about other people’s perspective and how the blog works has been educational, how sending a message has truly enabled people to be empowered. You are truly inspirational to those who most need it.”
Recent follower of Friends of Pakati, Hoora Hajee, had this to say: ” Absolutely inspiring stories! The set up of the website is fantastic and easy to use too.”
Lervena Mkudu, another regular follower, messaged me not long ago: “You are doing a great job at Pakati”
Emmanuel sent us a lovely message a couple of weeks ago: “Very interesting and inspiring stories! I enjoyed reading them. Please continue with your efforts to uplift and make a positive change to the lives of the school children, and ultimately, community of the area. The impact will be felt for many many years to come.”
I am delighted to (re)introduce Mr Mutyavaviri, a recent former teacher at Pakati Secondary school. He is popular among former colleagues and students alike.. Firstly, I will repeat the brief profile he have us back in 2019, before adding much more information recently. Read & enjoy…
Staff Profile – Mr Mutyavaviri, Head of Humanities, teacher of Maths
Born: Kadoma, Mashonaland West
Trained: Belvedere Technical Teachers College (2008)
Specialist in Economics & Accounts, can teach Maths, Commerce & Business Studies
Teacher at Pakati: since 2011
Life at Pakati – It is OK, but would like a more reliable & perennial indoor water supply.
If I wasn’t a teacher….I would be a book-keeper, accounts clerk, data capture clerk or any other business/accounting related job
Hobbies/interests: watching movies, reading, and writing articles
Fact no-one knows about me: nobody knows or can believe that I used to be a vibrant gospel preacher
With colleagues Mrs Pindura and Mrs Munatswa during a staff training course in Harare
“Hi everyone, I hope I find you well. Here is a narrative story of my life at Pakati which comes in two parts. The first part focuses on how I joined Pakati and became a well known part of the Pakati Secondary school staff community.
In May 2011 I was deployed to Pakati Secondary as an Accounts and Commerce teacher, moving from Nyamashato Secondary in the same district of Murewa in Mashonaland East. I had been at Nyamashato for two years and wanted to move either to a school in Harare, or closer to Harare as I had just registered for my ACCA studies.
Nyamashato was too far from the city for me to do studies. I couldn’t find an immediate school in Harare to move to, instead I found a swap transfer to Pakati Secondary, which was a good move. When I got to Pakati, there was no Accounts at the school at that time, I was told that the teacher I had swapped with taught Commerce and Geography so I had to take those subjects.
I indicated to Mr Chingoriwo, the then Headmaster, that I couldn’t teach Geography so I was going back to the district, to tell them that they had sent me for a wrong deployment. Instead of letting me just go, he asked me the other subjects I could teach besides Accounts which wasn’t being offered.
On a school outing with some students, 2018
Being a Commercials person, Maths was the only other subject at the school I could teach but there was already a teacher for Maths. Mr Chingoriwo made some internal arrangements to change the allocation for the then Maths teacher so that I could have a Maths and Commerce teaching load, and it worked out well.
A few days after joining the school, the Head tasked me to take up the responsibility of coaching the school senior boys soccer team. I’m generally good at most sporting activities undertaken in schools, but my passion is in baseball and volleyball. I tried to avoid the responsibility but after he indicated some technicalities, I accepted the role accordingly.
On meeting the soccer team, I enquired how the school team had been performing against other schools, and was told that it had been long since the team managed to get through to finals at zonal competitions as there were bigger High schools in the zone (Musami High and Chemhondoro High) which always dominated. I set a target that we would reach finals at the zonal competitions that year (2011) as I needed time to get to know the students, and that the following year (2012), we would reach finals at district competitions.
My target seemed outrageous as there where 9 schools in our zone that time, Pakati secondary being one of the small ones and beating Chemhondoro and Musami was something the students didn’t envisage. I had to work extra hard to achieve the target. I focused much on training physical fitness and building a team spirit. On the zonal competitions day, we beat Chemhondoro in the semi finals and were beaten by Musami in the finals. Wow, thank God for answering my prayers, my first target at the school was just a success.
The local community noticed the achievement. Next was to focus on how I would manage to get the school team to reach district competitions the following year. My players needed to be motivated, so I pleaded with the head for the school to procure a new soccer uniform for the boys. Seeing the passion I had and the performance of the team at the ended zonal competitions, the head promised to work on my request.
In 2012, I started training the team during the last weeks of first term. During the same period, the school gave us funds for a new soccer uniform, I chose a Barcelona uniform and the team was nicknamed Baca. This was motivational to the players. I would take the boys to a steep dwala (small hill) in Chinhoyi village near Mr Baye’s home.
My thrust was to have a physically invincible team because it wasn’t going to be easy for a small school like Pakati. To beat all the other 8 schools in our zone and proceed to district competitions was something I believed was possible. God started working to our favour before zonal athletics competition of 2012, as our zone was divided into two (Musami A and Musami B). Pakati was placed in Musami A, where Chemhondoro High was also placed. This meant that one huge task (Musami High) had been removed.
Mr Magabaza training Pakati Senior boys soccer team, 2018
Mr Magabaza, the then sports director at Pakati, went on leave during that term and I was asked to act on his behalf. I was voted to be the sports zonal representative. On the athletics zonal competitions days, we realised that the manner in which the zone had been divided was unfair. The two high schools were each put in a seperate zone, meaning each would still remain the power house in its zone.
Being the zonal sports rep gave me the capacity to push for reshuffling of the zone, which I managed to accomplish before the soccer competitions. My aim was creating a way for Pakati to reach district competitions. The 2012 senior team zonal competitions were held at Pakati, a positive thing for the team. Our local community had been witnessing how hard I was training the team, so they thronged the school grounds to support the team on the day of the competitions. The team won the zonal competitions, thank God. Morale became high within the team but the target of reaching finals at the district was still a hard one to achieve.
This lead to Pakati soccer team getting a new nickname – as we talked about the game someone said ‘we bulldozed them!’, hence we called ourselves the Bulldozers ever since.
Nyahuni high, which had gone to semi finals as second position team in our pool won the other semi finals so we had to meet them for the second time in the finals, after beating them in the pools stage. The match officials for the finals connived with Nyahuni to work against our team which saw our scores being denied leading to our students giving up and abandoning the match. However, we just encouraged them to finish the game, which due to obedience they did, but without any more heart hence we were beaten in penalty shoot outs of the district competitions.
I still maintain vivid memories of my 2012 Pakati soccer team which was captained by Gilbert Mhishi (now based in South Africa). It was a well behaved and committed team. This made the then new teacher (me – Mr Mutyavaviri) at Pakati Secondary well known in the local community. In 2013 I told the headmaster that I had accomplished my targets for the soccer team and was moving to the sport of my passion, thus I moved to volleyball.
Part 2 of my story (which will be with you soon) will focus on the academic circle and social interactions of my stay at Pakati as well as comments on development, achievements and general overview of the school during my time there.
Welcome to Oswell’s story! Here is a man brought up in the area, attended several schools in the ward including Pakati Primary, and has returned recently to showcase the area on film. Like so many, he has had struggles to overcome, and is proud of his roots. Read on please…..
Oswell in Harare
“My name is Israel Oswell Nadzo, and I was born in Murewa Dustrict in 1981, at St Pauls Hospital in Musami. My mother passed away when I was 1 year old, so I grew up with my grandmother in Muchagonei village, 2 km from Pakati Primary school, just across the Shavanhowe river. I started my Primary education at Chanetsa in 1988, then Pakati in 1989. From end of 1989 up to 1994 I was at Mabika Primary school. I then continued my education at Mabika, at the Secondary school, up to form 4 (O levels).
My friends at Mabika were called Fostage Macheka, Michael Muchagonei and Owen Chitongo. Classmates at Pakati I still remember more than than 20 years ago ate Isaac Zambezi, Marvis Nguwo, Learnmore Makuvaza, Bothwell jani, Edwell Gatsi, Vena Mapiti and others. Bothwell Jani and Isaac Zambezi were my friends from Pakati Primary school.
Also in Harare
I was a nomadic child, because my grandmother was too old, so some times I lived with my relatives in Makuvaza village near Pakati, or the others in Chanetsa village . My father only took care of me when I was 14 years old, until I finished my O level, but he passed away in 2017, so that kind of life I passed through was not easy at all. I didn’t get enough further education though, but I am now talented at writing Shona dramas, movies and novels.
From left Enock Kasawaya former Chanetsa Primary student, Oswell Nadzo and Isaac Zambezi former Pakati school student, just after O Lavel exams in 1998 waiting for Xmas in Harare
I am trying to use my talent to educate people upon the experience of life that i have had. I had learned about importabt things – Love, Peace, Harmony, Justice, and Fairness in our community. We have orphans, elders and other poor people in the community who need help. Musami area is veey much behind in terms of development, though I don’t know why. Some are educated and some are ignorant, others are heartless, that’s why you see no even a celebrity or a public figure in our areas.
Oswell in Chigwada area, on the way to his family area not far from Pakati
My massage to the people is let us unite and make something, lets make the road of the future generations, ARISE AND SHINE Murewa. Elders of the community, children educated and non-educated people must learn from what Mr Chris Walker is doing in our area.
Oswell with some of his theatre group, MITAMBO YENHARIRE THEATRE.
MITAMBO YENHARIRE THEATRE group was formed by three groups which included Chingwe Drama Club and New Youth Generation. Chongwe drama leader was Farai Josiya, New Youth leader was Collen Nhinga, and both of them are former Pakati school students. Together we formed Mitambo Yenharire Theatre group, and I am the leader.
Coming soon…this was filmed in the area Oswell is familiar with, Murewa Ward 14
Currently I am living in Harare, and I am an Embroiderer and an actor. I am a father of 3 Emmaculate, Elshimah and Elmar, who is my only my son. Acting was and is my hobby since 1989 when I was in Grade 2. My wish is to bring our community together as one, and not to be a lost generation – United we stand divided we fall, Arise and Shine MUREWA.
My upcoming Movie is titled MUTUNHU UNEMAGO (A Human Being), and its about the villages without future, jealous villagers, poverty, hatred, gossip and Wicthcraft. The elders of that village were busy militarising children, preaching the message of hate, but at the end no development in the area came until they become united and gave support to each other.”
Gwangwadza hill in the background, at Chigwada
My thanks go to Oswell for allowing Friends of Pakati to tell his story…I hope you, the reader, enjoyed it all.
Coming soon:
• A former teacher tells the story of how the Pakati Secondary boys football team got its nickname ‘The Bulldozers’, as well as reflecting on his time at the school
• Pauline Machengo continues her story ‘Outside Zim Borders’ with chapter 11 on its way soon
• Former student Portia Nemaruru brings us up to date with part 2 of her profile, describing her transition from Pakati to Rose of Sharon, including the inspirational leader there, Dr Fatima Maruta
• More of what people are saying about Friends of Pakati
I have been looking back recently on comments I have read about Friends of Pakati, the project itself, the blog, the fundraising activities, the stories, the people involved, achievememts so far and our priorities in the coming months/years.
Below are some of the messages I have had in the last few months about Friends of Pakati…it seems we are making a good impression!
Mrs Maenzanise (left), Head of Mapanga Primary school
Mrs Maenzanise had this to say recently: …”thanks so much l enjoyed every section of the blog. Quite interesting dear.👏🏻👏🏻” Also, regarding our recent joint venture with VaTonatsa Foundation (see https://friendsofpakati.com/2020/07/11/joint-venture-back-story-and-responses/ ) she said: “Hello friend Chris. Thanks so much for bringing our area to greatest height. Our learners have been introduced to a new thing in their lives. Revising while at home with the help of relatives and friends during the covid period. We really appreciate your love and help for them to excel in their school work. The material will go a long way…… Thanks to all others behind the scenes. Be blessed.”
Mr Chifaka, Head of Pakati Secondary school
Mr Chifaka also told me this after the success of the joint venture: “…On behalf of Pakati Secondary school, l thank Friends of Pakati and Vatonatsa Foundation for their work in favour of ward 14 learners. The examinations books they prepared for us will be of great use to the learners and will prepare them for their final examinations….. May God bless Friends of Pakati and Vatonatsa Foundation by giving them more strength to continue their invaluable work.”
Vari Mayez, founder of VaTonatsa Foundation
Vari Mayez commented on Friends of Pakati: “..All I can say is that my heart is overjoyed. It’s great to see a project that involves such huge numbers come alive. At VaTonatsa we have worked with children, but this time we made a huge impact thanks to the partnership and collaboration with Friends of Pakati.”
Pauline Machengo, frequent contributor to this blog
Roj Rahman of Mortz Property Services in Scunthorpe, a key donor to Friends of Pakati: “… Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be involved and make a contribution to a very worthy cause. Knowledge is power, and the best way to help the next generation move forward to achieve peace, prosperity and progress is through education. I wish you and Friends of Pakati and VaTonatsa Foundation to continue the excellent work and wish you all the best of health and continued success.”
Mr Mahachi with the Author, 2019
Pakati Primary school Head, Mr Mahachi told me this earlier: “..The blog is providing me with a good learning experience, its informative and inspiring. I’m learning a lot through stories being shared. I’m appreciating life through other people’s life testimonies.”
Sponsor – Nakai Skin Care & Cosmetics
Maggie of Nakai, who is based in Canada and is one of our sponsors (see picture below), said to me earlier today: “It’s not very often that you see people continue to have the heart to a place that they left over 25yrs ago. The work that Chris and his team is doing is just heart warming.The students of Pakati are so hard working and with the little that they have, they seize every opportunity. The success stories are beautiful.
Magdalene Lafontant, creator of Nakai Skin Care & Cosmetics, sponsor of Friends of Pakati
One thing I’ve learnt in life is that dreams have no measure. A child in Canada and a Child in Murehwa all share the same dreams in life. Circumstances and environment may differ but by helping out donating to the students of Pakati will make each child one step closer to making their dream a reality.”
Below are some of the comments I have seen from contacts on various social media platforms:
John Needham of Iron Trust, a Scunthorpe United supporters group, sent me this message recently: “I’ve really enjoyed reading about events past and present at the Pakati school from your work for VSO many years ago to the inspiring stories from the present. At this time where IT equipment is even more crucial for pupils to have access to learning I’d urge Iron fans to support this project if possible.”
Resident of Ward 14, Murewa, in the Chanetsa area, is Oswell Israel Nadzo: “I am enjoying the blog. Foward ever backward never Mr Walker! I do appreciate your work and your love of Murewa people.”
Journalist and Author, Max Bell: “…Your blog’s content is always very good!”
Recent former teacher at Pakati Secondary school, Mr Mutyavaviri, has been keeping up with the blog: “… I usually read the items when I have enough data, the link between Friends of Pakati and VaTonatsa is commendable.”
Gary Lundie, fellow fan of The Iron (Scunthorpe Untied) said: “…Lots of great work going on here đź‘Ť”
A former Pakati student now living in South Africa, Tau Madziva, told me that “…Mr Walker the people of Pakati salute you”
Friends of Pakati – The Author with Lorraine Mapuranga & Bothwell Riside, October 2019
And finally, from two key friends of Pakati and of the Author, the following joint message was sent this morning:
“Did you ever think that, just from your decision from a mere visit to the school in 2018 you would touch the lives if so many people? Keep it up Mr Walker!! Keep up the spirit too to our donors, some who are known (& mentioned above) and most of those behind the scene. More wisdom and more ideas..we will together reach our dreams. Great teamwork shown from supporters, story tellers , funders. Thank you so much for putting us together..One world means One people 👍🏻 Great stuff!
Saw this article and I felt justified in trying to help Pakati schools to get into the digital world. This will be linked to the Vision page (which I am still re-writing) soon.
6′
COVID-19 a wake up call for the education sector
-August 21, 2020
guest column:Bothwell Riside
ZIMBABWE like any other nation globally has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Daily statistics are showing we have not reached the peak of the infections. Ignorance and arrogance will definitely impact negatively in the quest to fight the pandemic. Never have we seen in our lifetime a situation whereby the whole nation and world at large are brought to a standstill by a disease. We have had the deadly Ebola in West Africa, but it never threatened our nation a little. With the locally transmitted cases surging, one question in mind is what of our education sector. If education is affected, it means the impact of the pandemic will live with us for the next decades even if a permanent solution is going to be found. The postponement of the opening of the schools for the second term though necessary is not a good piece of news. Of course life is more important than education and at the same time we can’t ignore the short and long-term impact of tampering with our education. Thinking of schools that entirely depend on fees to pay for all their educational inputs shows we are in unprecedented times.
E-learning
Never had Zimbabwe as a nation relied on distance electronic learning. While distance e-learning has never been part of the system, it is popular in most countries where one even goes to the extent of getting a PHD just after attending virtual classes. Many of Zimbabwean scholars have done their education online. A research on the implementation of the use of computers in the teaching and learning situation in Zimbabwe indicated that less than 10% of the schools are using ICT in the day-to-day learning activities. For those 10% , very few use ICT-based technologies for instructions. This is quite unfortunate for a country like Zimbabwe, 40 years after independence. We remember how the government in 1980 made the education sector its priority. It was one of the sectors that experienced phenomenal growth both in terms of educational inputs and outputs. Today in the COVID-19 wake, most schools are relying on inferior platforms that were not designed for teaching and learning but merely communication. Platforms like WhatsApp although offering fast and real time collaborations do not provide proper support for distance e-learning. But what can we do if this is the only available platform we have?
Where are we in terms of ICT?
The most undoing thing in Zimbabwe today is the unaffordability of the internet. I would want to say comparatively in US dollar terms it is cheap, but the level of poverty in the nation makes internet unaffordable. Taking into consideration that the teacher who must be imparting knowledge may not afford the costs of the internet, breaks the whole system of education. The same applies to the parents, they rarely afford the internet costs. To make matters worse, the only gadget affordable to some is a cellphone and online teaching and learning require a laptop because of its versatility. Just like the health sector, the education sector must plan for life during and after COVID-19. If we had excellent and affordable internet connectivity, it was going to be a plus for us. Internet must be the most affordable service in our country. There must be free hotspots doted everywhere. Rural areas just as in mobile phones connectivity, must all have affordable internet.
Teachers who are not computer literate
According to research, most teachers are not computer literate or have minimum skills that make them unable to conduct online lessons effectively and efficiently. Our education system must make our teachers to be more technically minded in order to lead in the e-revolution from the trenches. It’s imperative for a teacher who is leaving college or university to be able to make a beautiful slide presentation for use in schools. Even in rural areas, a teacher may hold his pre-charged laptop and show the students his or her presentation. Having solar systems installed may be an icing on the cake.
Change in curriculum
While teacher training colleges or institutions have been concentrating on the psychology, philosophy, sociology and methods and ways to impart knowledge in our students, none ever thought of distance e-learning. Knowledge of these areas is now imperative.
We cannot afford to have our children be at home without learning again. The teacher training institutions must have a course called e-learning that looks at pictures,videos, audio files generation, editing, storage and dissemination ways. A certified teacher must have knowledge of various softwares.
Google software
Google has dozens of applications that one may use in day-to-day teaching and learning. Fortunately, these may be used in the day-to-day e-distance learning too. Teachers must be able to use software like google classroom, Gsuites, jamboard, google slides, hangouts, forms, docs, drive and quiz and so on. Having a teacher who can type, prepare a powerpoint and a spreadsheet is not enough. We must be seen equipping our teachers with these skills such that our children grow up knowing them. A modern teacher must be able to share with his or her students information online without any problems. Cloud saving of documents is the way to go in this age.
Microsoft software
Besides Google, Microsoft has a lot of software that class teachers may make use of. The teachers may use Microsoft teams, powerpoints, slides, paint and so on to impart knowledge in the students. In this age, distance must not be a barrier. Having a teacher who can edit his or her videos and put pictures in it would be a great asset for the education sector. All institutions must use ICT effectively and efficiently in learning and teaching. Teachers who are equipped with such are likely going to excel.
Other software
We cannot rule out the importance of WhatsApp as a way of communication. There also software like wechat, telegram, zoom, kahoot and many others that schools are making use of globally. A lot of educational websites are there and our own teachers may create their own sites where they post examinations and activities. We need to be very proactive in the teaching and learning of our future generations. With the right training and exposure our always hardworking teachers may find these quite interesting and useful.
ICT curriculum overview
Zimbabwean ministries responsible for both education and ICT must form a synergy and review the curriculum biennially. Primary and secondary students must be the ones doing programming and learn about software. ICT must be made a compulsory subject at school. Where we are going, handwritten documents are becoming less and less common. There is a digital revolution in the world. Everything is being done digitally and every ministry has an application downloadable from the internet. If students are introduced to basic programming languages like logo, scratch and Qbasic at an early stage, it means when they start learning some programming languages at a higher level, life would be very easy.
Future generation
Education provides for the future generations and we must not tamper with it. Our country has a lot of potential to do well if we have the right mindset. Our political leaders must set the tone. We have a dream of a country we all have. Politics and education are inseparable and our political leaders must be proactive rather than reactive.
This is just a disease that has brought our system to a standstill. In future we can use google forms to take examinations online. What if we have a natural disaster too? Our children and their children’s future must be safeguarded today . We must live to leave a legacy.
Please read and enjoy this girl’s inspiring story!
At Pakati Secondary school in 2017. The World Map was re-painted not long after this was taken
“My name is Portia Nemaruru from Makuvaza village in Murehwa District in Mashonaland East Province. I am a girl aged 20. Currently l am doing my A Level at Rose of Sharon High School doing Business Studies, Geography, and Economics. I have hope and passion to be a Postgraduate Master of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Studies. My current school is located in Zimre Park, on the edges of the subburbs if Harare, in Mashonaland East Province. I’m a volleyball star since primary level at the age of 10 years when l started and was in Grade 4 at that time. l also enjoy handball and soccer but volleyball is my best sport l enjoyed most. Let me tell you more about my earlier schooling…
I was raised by one parent, my mother. My father passed away 2008 when l was in Grade 2 at Pakati Primary School. Life at home was not that easy at all. Things were not fine. Sometimes my mother could even fail to settle my school debts, school uniforms, books. She used to grow many cash crops for us to have a better life after death of my father, even to work in other people’s farms to try and make things better for us.
Pakati Primary school sports stars, 2019
My lifetime at school at primary level was something else to me. It was the beginning of the whole journey. I joined the prefect body while I was in Grade 4, and became Vice Head Girl in Grade 6, and finally Head Girl at Grade 7.
I enjoyed most the school benefits through sports, and also workshops we used to hold at Chemhondoro and St Paul’s (both nearby) schools, e.g. prefect training, poetry writing, article writing, although l have no passion for these fields.
Grade 1 and 2 my class teacher was Mrs Kupara, Grades 3 and first term 4 was Mrs Mukupuki. Then from there to Grade 7 it was Mr Nyamahohwa who was and still is my best teacher ever since. We used to pray before anything and some times having Bible study which usually heals me and it has transformed my life. God remembered his class at final it was the best class.
I enjoyed most my life time at Pakati Secondary school. I started Form 1 2014 and became the pioneer junior councillor of Ward 14, Murewa, at the age of 14. l managed to change our school uniform during my term in office, in support of my pioneer Headmaster Mr Chingoriwo and his Deputy Mr Chifaka. Mr Chifaka who is currently the Pakati Secondary Headmaster, and all staff members and School Development Committee (SDC) also supported the move. I became Vice Head Girl in 2015 while studying Form 2, and finally the Head Girl during Form 3.
Pakati Secondary school students resplendent in their uniforns, 2019
I started playing handball and soccer (number 5) at secondary level. My volleyball coach at primary level was Mr Juru, unfortunately he passed away when l was in form 2. Mr Mutyavaviri, also my Mathematics teacher, and Mr Chizenya, my History teacher, were my volleyball coaches at secondary level (in Mathematics l got an A, and History B at O level).
For me to make it took hard work and a lot of determination, in the hope and desire it would change my life story. It would help my mother, my family, and my community at large. I worked as house maid in 2018 and half of 2019 after finishing my O levels. l failed to collect my results because l was unable pay fees for Forms 3 and 4. My mother failed to make it by that time because she was suffering from health problems from the year my father died, till 2018 when it stopped for good .So during that time it was at its extreme, so she was not able to grow crop or work for my fees.I thank God she managed to raise registration fees for only 6 subjects out of nine. Then God sent a wingless Angel, Mr Katonha my Science teacher (l got a C in Science) and he paid for another two subjects to make it 8. l love God too much because he loves those love him, takes care of them, gives them what they asked for.
Portia in Harare
I used to make friends with some very clever students. At primary my best friend was Aqualine Matsika, and she was the student with best results at Grade 7 final exams. At secondary my best friend was Head Boy Blessed Tema, who succeeded me when my term in office was due as a junior councillor. He wrote his A level examinations last year and did very well, doing Accounting, Business Studies and Economics.
For my mother to let me gain exposure to different things and to the other side of the world (Harare – a very different world to Pakati) was very difficult for her on her own. We went on a trip in 2015 from school when l was in Form 2, to the city of Harare, to some areas of interest where tourists often visit. We went to Mukuvisi Woodland, Harare International Airport for my first time and that was my fantastic, some of the most interesting moments during my life time at Pakati Secondary. It was organized by Mr Mutyavavri (my Mathematics teacher). We also used to hold variety shows every term, when we would go to school in non-uniform clothes and had some funny, modeling competition, eating, singing, dancing competition. l enjoyed eating competition above all, because if l didn’t win I didn’t feel defeated because l already benefited from the food, unlike modeling and dancing. Some boys came wearing dresses or skirts and wigs just for fun and some played crazy dances.
I was a maid for the money to pay my arrears at school so that l could get my O level certificate. God heard my cries, and l was offered a full scholarship at boarding school where l stay now. Its like a home, the founder of that school is Dr Fatima Maruta and she has orphanages. She is my role model and my mentor. I will add more about my time at this school in Part 2 of my story.”
Portia at her current school, Rose of Sharon, based in Zimre Park, Harare
Thank you Portia for your story here…we very much look forward to Part 2 here at Friends of Pakati!
Latest news…
I am currently writing a personal statement which I intend to release, and add to the Vision page in full. Its purpose is to explain in some depth why & how I am so passionate about Friends of Pakati, and thus the reader can better understand the Vision. See https://friendsofpakati.com/2020-vision-friends-of-pakati-the-project-continues/ before I complete the re-write.
Another small donation this week has take our total close to ÂŁ300 – hopefully much more will come our way. See https://friendsofpakati.com/fundraising/ for full details
So 2 out of the 3 recently promised articles have been published – just waiting on the one from a friend in the UK now…🤞
I am about to contact a former teacher from Pakati Secondary school to see if he is willing to tell his story…watch this spaceđź‘Ť
I am delighted to introduce a former teacher from Pakati Primary school! She tells the story of a hard life, but is clearly a very resilient Zimbabwean lady. Please read her story below….
In my small garden
“Hello! My name is Juliet Valley, now age 58, and I once taught at Pakati from 1984 up to 1987.
I did my secondary education in Chitungwiza (suburb of Harare) at St Mary’s Secondary school. I did ‘O’ level in 1980, then I applied for temporary teaching work using my ZJC (Zimabwe Junior Certificate – 2 years before O levels) and got a job through Murewa District Council.
My photo at Rupange Primary school in 1982, with Grade 1 pupils
My first school to teach at was Rupange Primary, from 1981 first term up to 1982. I then transfered to Munamba Primary, and in 1983 went Chidiya Primary. Soon after that I then went for maternity leave.
I rejoined teaching third term 1983 in Murewa, where I transfered because I was teaching to cover for someone who was on leave. Finally I was deployed at Pakati Primary for the first term of 1984.
I came to Pakati in 1984 with my son Nyasha (by then he was 9 months old) under Headmaster Chihaka. I taught Grade 1, and the policy then was when you start with Grade 1, you move with your class up to Grade 3, so I did that for 3 years up to 1986.
In 1987, that’s when I taught Bothwell Mafema in Grade 3 (see pic above) and he was very brilliant. I chose him a class monitor, as his attitude showed that he would be someone in the future. His duty was to collect my books in the Headmaster’s office and return the class register after roll call. See more about Bothwell here: https://friendsofpakati.com/2020/07/31/from-rural-student-to-international-teacher/ There after I was retrenched at the end of 1987.
Juliet with my friend Judith at Pakati Primary School
After leaving Pakati I came to Mutoko to do my studies, since I had no full qualification. I was staying with my husband Lazarus Ziunye. He assisted me through my studies, and finally I passed English (C) and Commerce (B). Then in 1989 I was blessed with twin boys in December.
Later I did several courses at Jamaica Inn, a College along the Mutare Road. I did Project Planning and Business Management, Tailoring, and Baking skills.
Juliet receiving Certficate of Project Planning and Business Management at Jamaica Inn in 1996
In 2002 my husband passed away, and since then I have been relying on vegetable vending, and getting a small amount from a Government pension from my husband’s package. During the farming season I go to my rural area for farming and spend some time there. I then go back to Kotwa growth point to do my vending, so I think in short thats my history.
My first born son unfortunatly died in 2014 at 31. The twins are now 30. I am happy because one of the twins married and they were recently blessed with a baby boy, whom I am with in many photos. He turned 4 months on the 7th August.”
With my grandchild Delane
I have exchanged messages with Juliet recently to gather the full story, and below is part of those exchanges:
Juliet, please tell me about what you are doing now?
So I am no longer a teacher but I am a vegetable vendor at Kotwa growth Point.
At or near Nyamapanda?
Yes, 20km from Nyamapanda border post.
What are you growing there?
I am growing tomatoes and vegetables to ease the burden of buying.
Good idea. do you have any other crops? any livestock?
I usually go to my rural area during rainy season and do farming there. I grow maize, groundnuts, roundnuts, rapocco and sorghum. I face problems in paying people who plough my fields though. My cows were badly affected by the drought in 2016 and they all died. I had 2 cows 2 bulls and 2 small cows but was left with nothing.
So sorry to hear of your struggles. Where is your rural area? far from Kotwa?
Its about 35km from Kotwa, going towards Harare we branch at Chingwena Primary, and it is 7 km from the highway to my homestead.
The photo is of my hut at Mudzi rural area, in preparation of rainy season in July this year
Can I ask a few more questions please? Where is your home area (where you come from), is it where you farm near Kotwa? Apart from Bothwell, are there any other memories from your time at Pakati? Was it easy working there?
My home now is near Kotwa, but originally I come from the Murewa area, at farms near Murewa Centre, in Chitowa. It is about 5km from the Harare-Nyamapanda road.
At Pakati I enjoyed tbe environment because that’s where I spent 4 years as a teacher. During weekends I spent my time with my friends, going to nearby villages such as Chinhoyi, Njenje and Chigwada, and associating with parents. Sometimes I would go to Shavanhowe river to do my washing.
Juliet in the Shavanhowe river in 1987
How are things at present?
Right now, truly speaking as we are now at level 2 lock down, you can hardly find any customers because of this. It is so hard to earn a living as compared before lockdown. I am fine, but only disadvantaged with being locked at home and afraid of moving outside unecessarily. Life can be tough but there is much I can be grateful for.”
Another story that I have received is about a more recent former student of both Pakati schools, and I have to say it is yet another great story of resilience in the face of adversity…
A friend in the UK has agreed to give his thoughts all things Friends of Pakati related…just waiting to hear back from him.
I have been discussing the overall project with various interested parties and am consulting others too, about priorities, the overall vision, funds, advertising, etc. More on this in a post in the near future…
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