Category: Uncategorized

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.

There have been some great stories and photos this month, but one has stood out head and shoulders above the rest in terms of views – the Primary school students wearing their football shirts donated last year by Scunthorpe United. See the post here: https://friendsofpakati.com/2020/02/17/pakati-primary-new-sports-tops-on-show-as-they-prepare-for-the-zonal-sports-competition/ this was followed by the story of how these shirts ended up at Pakati – see https://friendsofpakati.com/2020/02/23/amazing-the-story-behind-our-most-popular-post-so-far/

We should always remember what friendsofpakati is all about – helping the students of both Pakati schools, particularly the development of IT there. Fantastic news from the Stephenson Group once more, who donated the computers delivered last year – they are offering more this year…find out more here: https://friendsofpakati.com/2020/02/15/great-news-for-pakati-schools/

Two former Pakati students and regular contributors – Lorraine Mapuranga and Bothwell Riside – add to their stories and update us on their lives post-Pakati here at: https://friendsofpakati.com/2020/02/12/lorraine-mapuranga-life-after-pakati/ and https://friendsofpakati.com/2020/02/22/saturday-star-friend-of-pakati-bothwell-riside-brings-us-up-to-date/

The Author reminisced about his early thoughts at Pakati here https://friendsofpakati.com/2020/02/09/some-memories-from-the-author-and-why-we-need-support-for-pakati/ and brought us up to date with his weight loss challenge – see here: https://friendsofpakati.com/2020/02/18/this-weeks-weigh-in-and-what-is-to-come-in-the-next-few-days/

Plus Debbie Chadbon, a fellow former teacher at Pakati through VSO, joins in the fundraising campaign for friendsofpakati.com as seen here: https://friendsofpakati.com/2020/02/10/debbie-joins-the-fundraising-for-friends-of-pakati-and-a-hint-of-other-things-to-come/ and another weeks weight loss is announced http://friendsofpakati.com/2020/02/25/weight-loss-update-week-6-trachoma-prevention-and-still-to-come-this-week/

The AGM at Pakati Secondary school http://friendsofpakati.com/2020/02/27/2020-agm-at-pakati-secondary-school/ and sports update https://friendsofpakati.com/2020/02/29/sports-update-pakati-secondary-school/ were added late in February, bringing the month to a close.

All in all a busy but fascinating look at life at Pakati from the early 1990’s up to the present day. Hoping for even more to tell you about in March as the various fundraising campaigns start to pick up in preparation for the various events we have planned, as well as the usual reports from both schools on lessons, IT and sports, as well as local community development news and stories from students past and present.

Some great news for 3 of the athletes from Pakati who competed in the District sports, held at Murewa High school on the 14th February.

Firstly, there was Winnie Masiya, winner of under-18 girls Triple Jump

Secondly, there was Lynn Mutemeri, winner of under-18 girls 400m

And thirdly there was Beauty Mugule, winner of under-18 girls Javelin

These 3 girls are now preparing for the Provincial sports competition, due to be help over two days – 5th and 6th of March – at Peterhouse School sports ground, not far from Marondera, provincial capital of Mashonaland East.

Friends of Pakati wish all 3 further success at Peterhouse next week!

some additional information and photos have been included.

Tuesday 25th February saw the Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Pakati Secondary school, an event attended by senior school staff, School Development Committee (SDC) members, the local Councillor and several other members of the local community.

Discussions ranged over a number of important issues, some of which are of interest to friendsofpakati as they relate to our priorities. The SDC were present, and there have been some changes due to elections. Apparently more parents are keen to get involved in working for a better Pakati. I await the details, and will update on here when I hear more.

It was clear to all that further security was needed for the current staffroom, which doubles as a computer room. Funds were made available through Murewa Rural District Council (RDC) for this purpose.

One of the ways schools can generate either funds or food is by things like small scale developments, such as bee keeping, or as shown below, the intention by Pakati Secondary school to rear chickens. This is still early days but the fowl run has now been completed ready for use.

Another source of potential income is through a school tuck shop. It was still being built in September 2019, and is also now complete, waiting to be stocked.

During the celebrations for the handover of computers and sports gear, it became clear there were not enough toilet facilities available, as male and female staff were sharing what was there. The RDC CEO, Dr. Gurajane, promised to make funds available for a separate toilet to be built for female staff to use, and this has been completed too.

Councillor Israel Maliki tells me that capital is needed to get the tuck shop and fowl run up and running. Further to those mentioned above, and one of our priorities for this year, is the need for suitable printers. These would be used for printing exam/test papers as well as other daily needs.

I have now received some photos from the AGM and a little more information too.

One of the SDC members, the chairman, is Mr William Dzimauta

Weight loss

Well the author has made it to the end of week 6 if his weight loss challenge. More good news! Another 1lb/0.5kg off…brings me down to 16st 9lbs, exactly 1 stone less than at the start. The idea is for people to promise/pay donations to http://gofundme.com/friends-of-pakati

Trachoma prevention

Monday 24th February 2020 – The following message was sent out across Murewa District, and picked up on the Ward14 Whats App group, of which the Author is a member:

Hello Everyone, Please note and share:

MOHCC MUREWA DISTRICT will be conducting MASS DRUG ADMINISTRATION FOR TRACHOMA

Trachoma is a disease that causes Blindness.

Dates – From 24-29 February 2020

Venues – Schools, Clinics, Hospitals and Outreach Points

Target Group – All ages (Everyone)

Key message – The medicines that will be given helps to prevent blindness in future. The target group is ‘Everyone in the District’.

Thank you

Still to come this week…

Two big stories this week are still being prepared…..

Firstly, Pakati Secondary school students success at athletics – details of the District competitions held recently at Murewa High School. Those successful athletes will compete next at Provincial level, to be held soon at Peterhouse College near Marondera.

Secondly, the Secondary school AGM was held recently, and discussed a number of issues including ongoing and planned developments (many of which are of interest to friendsofpakati), also choosing new School Development Committee (SDC) members.

Wow! The recent post https://friendsofpakati.com/2020/02/17/pakati-primary-new-sports-tops-on-show-as-they-prepare-for-the-zonal-sports-competition/ about sports at the Primary school really took off after a few shares…this blog gets an average of around 25 views per day. The day I posted this it exploded to 603!…. next two days were 151 and 174. The best post recently has had 45 views. This one is now at 860…

I know that fans and staff of Scunthorpe United have shared it, and after speaking to several yesterday at the match, the picture above of the Pakati Primary students sports teams wearing the shirts donated by the club last year was VERY popular. Below is the story behind the picture….

Back in 2018 after I first revisited Pakati Secondary school for the first time in nearly 30 years, I set this blog (and social media presence – http://facebook.com/Friends-of-pakati and http://twitter.com/friendsofpakati ) up with the aim of getting some computers to them and the nearby Primary, all from discussions with the Head of the secondary, Mr Mugove Chifaka.

I fundraised (see http://gofundme.com/friends-of-pakati for details) partly by walking from here…

…to here….

Then I got donated LOTS of shirts to sell…

…and then more still to take to the schools, not least by Scunthorpe United!

Not just one shirt either…

but 16 of these, and a few more of these too..

All of them were packed in with the donated computers from the Stephenson Group from Leeds…

….which arrived safely in Harare, Zimbabwe….

…shortly before I did in September 2019…

…before being taken to the schools to be unloaded…

….then unpacked, and formally handed over to the schools…

….then tried on by the students….

…then finally put to good use recently!

This year we are at it again – fundraising for the project (see https://friendsofpakati.com/2020/01/28/get-tied-up-for-pakati-👔-announcement-of-fundraising-event/ ) – and happy to accept any similar donations…

A massive thanks to the Iron – including all who work for and support the club – from Friends of Pakati! THANK YOU

M friend and host in Zimbabwe in 2019 is a frequent contributor to this blog – for example, see https://friendsofpakati.com/2019/07/29/pakati-a-return-by-a-former-student-and-a-reminder-for-the-author/ , as well as a real Friend of Pakati where he completed his early education at both Pakati schools from Grade 1 through to Form 4. As with another regular contributor, Lorraine Mapuranga, it just goes to show what can be achieved with the right attitude and support, even from humble beginnings. Below is just a taste of life for Bothwell presently. Read on….

“Well I don’t know where to start from, for it has been a very long time since l said goodbye to Pakati school and my kith and kin. The bottom line is there is nothing as comforting as being with not only your family but people who love you unconditionally.

The September computers and sports kit handover spearheaded by our own prodigy Chris “Gushungo” Walker remains my last memorable event in Zimbabwe. Owing to the kind of reverance and natural mutual respect l give to Chris, as well as my passion for my home area, l had to oblige to a request to just give an outline of happenings around me.

I have moved out of Zimbabwe. Chris’s coming as l told him, was putting my plans on a back pedal a little, but my eyes and thoughts were already destined for a some overseas country and South East Asia in particular. As we were tearing down the Murewa roads, my travelling itinerary had already been put in place, therefore in November last year l finally said goodbye to Zimbabwe and set off on an excruciating 20 hour long flight journey to one of the South East Asian countries, through South Africa. This country is 5 hours ahead of Zimbabweans time and 7 hours ahead the UK time. The time zone differences have been making me be unable to communicate with most people and Chris has been the worst victim. When I wake up at 5 am he would be going to bed at around 10 only to wake up when l am at the peak of my work around 2 pm my time . There is nothing funny and thrilling here, in case someone might have thought otherwise.

As we may all know l have been the most decorated trailblazing educationist at operational management level in my province, and my curriculum vitae has too many achievements that can fill up a couple of pages. Just to mention a few, l had the best grade seven results in the province, the record was only broken in 2019. I have won several accolades in sporting, arts and cultural activities at district, provincial and national level.

When l got to South East Asia (SEA) l went to the school that had shown interest in me and all due process was done. I am half enjoying life here although home is the best. I have managed to fit in the system which are synonymous to the ones at Rydings (in Karoi, Zimbabwe). To tell the truth working under several supervisors moulds you in life. It makes you be able to adapt to any environment. I have worked with several leaders in my life, some are good, compassionate, courteous, encouraging and show leadership traits that are so good. I have worked also with leaders who show little regard for your life, who possess zero traits of abilities and some who do as if they are a mafia taken from Mbare. I think leading an educational institutions is more of a calling.

When you get to an institution you don’t need a year to assess the Quality work life index.
If there is a place that brings me smiles here it is my workplace. I have found a family, colleagues, confidantes and so on here in SEA.

Asia is not an easy place to explore for Africans. Despite your qualifications, your nationality and skin colour play a lot of matrix. Racism is subtle but can be conspicuous where you need some favours. However these can be overshadowed first by your qualifications and gradually by performance. I am the only purely black staff member at my new haven. With education, you can go anywhere in life. While my background is always strapped in my brains, it has never deterred me from reaching the sky. There is nothing impossible on life.

Pakati school remains a priority and is in my thoughts every day. I am looking forward to be back in September. I hope the fund raising efforts will cushion the schools from the economic turmoil that is not sparing educational institutions too.”

Authors comments:

Since Bothwell first contacted me in 2019 offering to help during my stay last September/October we have become close friends. I value the friendship very highly and thank him for his contributions to this blog and unwavering support. I know how far he has come, from vey humble beginnings, to the well rounded, well educated professional he has become. That he still remembers his time at Pakati so fondly speaks volumes for his character. I look forward to our next encounter….hopefully back in Zimbabwe in September.

Once more I have Mr Chorichi to thank for the following pictutes and information from the Primary school.

Back in September 2019, you may recall that 5 computers (4 Pc’s and 1 Laptop) were each delivered to both the Primary and Secondary schools at Pakati.

Both schools have been using them to introduce their students to computers for the first time. This brings them into line with Government requirements to help students use IT as part of classroom life.

With the promise of more computers to come – see https://friendsofpakati.com/2020/02/15/great-news-for-pakati-schools/ to find out more – then it can only be a good thing for more students at both schools, and their teachers too.

General conditions in class for most students are rudimentary, and the school reports a shortage of equipment. Friends of Pakati are keen to help both schools where we can, but it requires financial assistance – please visit http://gofundme.com/friends-of-pakati to donate.

These keen learners deserve a better learning environment, the teachers would love to do more for their students but are hampered by the shortages described above. To find out more about how to help, please contact friendsofpakati@gmail.com

Want to learn more about Pakati schools? Follow us on Twitter and Facebook : http://twitter.com/friendsofpakati and http://facebook.com/Friends-of-pakati

One of the priorities this year for Friends of Pakati is to try and get help with classroom furniture, as Government now requires seating with back support – see our priorities https://friendsofpakati.com/2020-vision-friends-of-pakati-the-project-continues/– and as recently provided to some students at nearby Mapanga school – see https://friendsofpakati.com/2020/02/14/locally-supported-development-in-the-areas-close-to-pakati/

Author’s weight loss challenge – Week 5 weigh in…results below

Good news this week! – a loss of 3lbs on last week, down to 16st 10lbs. In total, since beginning 5 weeks ago I have now lost 13lbs/around 6.5kg. Going well so far…

Comin up tomorrow: Pakati Primary shows us life in the classroom and use of IT…

This Saturday shows the return to the blog of a good friend of Pakati, and of the Author…find out what he has been up to recently

Within the two articles are several links to previous blog posts, and to our key links which can be found on the ‘Important Links’ page at the top of the homepage.