Friday, 31st January was a very important day. No, not Brexit, nor the football transfer window in the UK….but the first sports competition of the year for Pakati Secondary school!
At St Pauls, Musami
The following secondary schools were competing at the Zonal athletics this year, being held at St Pauls Sports Grounds, Musami:
Pakati, Dombobzvuku, Mabika, Munamba, Chemhondoro and Chikupo.
Teachers from the various schools were involvrd in admistering the events. Mrs Pindura, Deputy Head at Pakati, seen centrally, was Chief Recorder.
I am reliably informed tbat Pakati Secondary managed to win 6 golds on the day, cheered on by virtually the whole school, which is around 15km from the sports ground. Full details and report to follow soon, along with more photos hopefully.
I will update regularly on the progress of the Primary and Secondary schools sports teams as soon as I get information direct from thr schools themselves.
Tomorrow -Friday 31st January – sees the first of many sports competitions in 2020, the Zonal Athletics event at St. Pauls Secondary school sports arena at Musami, some 15km away.
As a result, sports coaches at the participating schools are putting their students through their paces. Pakati is no different. Mr Magabaza and Mr Chizenya have been taking training sessions on Tuesday of this week, with more today.
Shot PutJavelin
The athletics competitions have seen great success for Pakati over the years, with students reaching the District, Provincial and even National competitions in the past. Good luck to all those from Pakati who compete this year!
High Jump – need to try again!High Jump – success!
**IT**
Pakati Primary and Secondary schools are keen to get the most from the computers donated last year by the Stephenson group from Leeds, and those bought from donated money to friendsofpakati.com
Students here are shown using the school laptop & setting up the desktop PC’s for use earlier this term.
Students playing games…PC’s donated last year in use at the Primary school
If we can get more funds and computers donated, we can turn Pakati schools into a hub for the community. Add internet and printers, then porper IT lessons can happen too. More security is also needed, along with books and furniture. Thats what more donations will do for Pakati schools. Please help… http://gofundme.com/friends-of-pakati
The Author has been busy this week, as he is on annual leave from work until next Monday. Here are some of the things he has been up to in support of friendsofpakati.com
I have been out walking again, pounding the streets around the area of Bradford in which I live, day and night. All to help with my weight loss campaign, now showing a reduction of 4.8kg/9lbs since I began 2 weeks ago.
Yesterday I launched the next part of this years fundraising activities – ‘Get TIED UP for Pakati’ (see the previous post) – and managed to get on BBC Radio Humberside’s sports programme for an interview. It happened during the half-time break in the game last night between Northampton Town and Scunthorpe United. In my eyes, it went very well, with questions which gave me the chance to explain all the details of the event, my interest in Pakati, and what we are doing to try and help the schools. Much more to come with this story in the coming weeks.
I have been in touch with former Teacher Debbie Chadbon by email, and soon I should be able to announce details of her plan to fundraise for us, using the same page http://gofundme.com/friends-of-pakati for donations.
Being in touch with staff at the two schools allows me to keep up to date with what ever is going on there, and share it with you. To come from the Secondary school tomorrow will be pics and stories about students using computers, and the training in advance of the Zonal athletics competitions on 31st January -this Friday. Below is a picture from the Primary school last week soon after students return to school.
Quite a lot of work still to be done here, but with help from our donors, and all those supporting us in the background, I hope we can meet our main objectives in order to give the students what they need to get a good education.
Exciting news! Latest event to fundraise for Pakati schools to be held over the Easter weekend.
Pakati Secondary school heads past and present, all ‘Tied up’ in 2019
The publicity for this is already in the pipeline, with BBC Radio Humberside looking to do an interview, Iron Bru are agreeing to a brief slot on one of their upcoming podcasts, and Scunthorpe United media team getting involved – possible articles on the club website and at least one Iron matchday programme. Further support for ‘Get TIED UP for Pakati’ is promised from SUOSC – Scunthorpe United Official Supporters Club – and once more from Iron Trust.
TIED UP at Pakati, September 2019
All of this came about from the pictures I posted after the Ceremony at Pakati in September last year, when we officially handed over ther donated goods with the support of the local dignatories. A friend of mine from twitter and fellow Iron follower, David Scott, saw me in a tie and thought of the idea of getting fans to wear a tie at an away game, then offered to pay friendsofpakati.com £1 per fan who obliged. SUOSC’s Neal Campbell has offered to promote it and ask fans themselves to donate £1 each too.
Handover of donated goods in September 2019, the author accompanied by local dignatories at Pakati
Other fundraising activities are ongoing – the Author losing weight among them – and others are being planned. Expect more announcements in the coming weeks from friendsofpakati.com not just from the Author….
Last year, the main fundraising activity was the sponsored walk from Bradford to Scunthorpe, which, if we include the donation by Scunthorpe United chairman Peter Swann, raised the bulk of the total of £2700 before the visit to Zimbabwe in September 2019.
Early on day 1 of last years walk
This years campaign is more varied. A number of smaller, different things are hopefully going to raise plenty for the cause. One of those has already been announced, and is under way – the Author losing weight. Donations have begun already, and so far we are up to £100 this year.
Weight loss under way!
Once more fan groups of Scunthorpe United are organising to help again this year…an initiative from one Iron fan is starting to gain traction. Later this week I will reveal all, as I am getting the idea off the ground and will be launching a publicity campaign behind it.
Scunthorpe United CEO Mr Jim Rodwell hands over Mr Swann’s donation, along with one of several club shirts to friendsofpakati.com in August 2019
Here are the things we are raising money for this year:
Internet: The first few computers delivered in September will come into their own once the internet is available. It offers students and teachers access to so much more information, advice, and educational material.
Some of the computers delivered last year.
Printer and paper: With a lack of available text books, then once internet is set up then a printer for each school will be useful, so they can print out copies of relevant material, e.g. things like past exam papers.
Security: Both schools will need additional, improved security for the rooms in which the computers will be used. Better burglar bars on the windows and additional door security is needed.
More computers: In order to offer formal IT lessons, each school needs at least 10 computers. Currently they both have 5, so extra ones are needed. This will raise another question though – electricity supply. At present the supply is irregular, and both rely on solar power during the day.
Text books: It is sad to see that even now 30 years on from my time as a teacher at Pakati Secondary school, there are too few text books for the number of students.
Desks/seating: As with books, not enough desks and/or seats for the students. On top of that, there is now a requirement for seats with back support for the students.
Help us improve educational facilites here at both Pakati schools pleasw
The challenge is on to help Pakati schools again this year.
This week I have had contact with Pakati Secondary school. According to the Head, Mr Chifaka, he spent the first week back enrolling new students into Form 1, along with welcoming all returning students.
Some of the Pakati Secondary school students during break time today
The classes have resumed for returning students, although economic problems have made the situation difficult for many, particularly in the rural areas which have been hit by drought, thus affecting their crops and income. The school has had to raise its fees, so fewer students are likely to enrol.
Break time today…with the hill Ngomamowa in the background to the left
I am hearing of staffing issues at the school, as one of the teachers has not returned from the Summer break. However, lessons are proceeding as normal in most subjects, apart from those without teachers.
Mrs Pundura, Mrs Munatswa, Mr Chifaka and Mr Chizenya in 2018
Last week the Deputy Head Mrs Pindura went to Murewa to buy supplies of stationery for the teachers – chalks, pens, notebooks and covers – while they wait to see what funds they have for text books from school fees raised.
Murewa centre last week
i understand from the staff that the athletics competitions for this year are beginning soon, with the Zonal competition first on 31st Janaury. Sports training afternoons are on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Pakati Secondary.
Much more to come in the following weeks from both Primaty and Secondary schools, showing everyday life at both, including lessons, break-times and sports. Pictures and full reports from all competitions. Hoping to get some more personal stories from teachers and students at both schools too.
Today – Tuesday 21st January 2020 – the second weekly weigh-in at work took place
Day 1 – first weigh-in
Weigh in at start – Karen Harper Weight in imperial 10st . 4lb
Weigh in today – Karen Harper Weight in imperial 10st . 3.5lb
Result: -0.5 lb
Day – weigh-in results/evidence
Weigh in at start – Chris Walker Weight in both measurements: 17 St. 9lb or 113.4 kg
Weigh in today – Chris Walker Weight in both measurements: 17 St. 3lb or 110 kg (kg reading not as accurate this week – that scale wasn’t working…)
Result: -6lb or -3kg
Evidence of todays weight – loss of 6lbs/3kg
Latest on donations:
Today brought in another donation through http://gofundme.com/friend-of-pakati which was from a work colleague. I promote the project at work by all-office emails, and include/copy in senior managers who have supported me since I started the project last year. Today, one senior manager has said she will donate £1 for every pound (lb) I lose…so her total thus far is £6, but hopefully we will raise the figure substantially come 1st June.
Hoping for more computers, Internet, security but also ptinters, books & classroom furniture
Following on from the recent blog ‘Coming up on friends of pakati very soon’, I have delivered on much of what was promised:
Launch of the Authors fundraising ‘event’ for this year – losing weight!
First day I had a weigh-in to show a starting point, and now I have also started walking again, similar to last year, around my local area of Bradford. The good news is that donations have started to come in once more, and already I have had a number of promises of more.
Bradford by night
Still waiting for confirmation of Debbie’s precise involvement in fundraising activities
Email from Debbie suggests she is looking to do a sponsored event, either walking, running or cycling in the Bristol area. All funds raised to go to friendsofpakati.com
Debbie in 1992
Pakati Primary school sends pictures from the first few days of Term 1
Mr Mahachi, Head of Pakati Primary school sent a number of photos this week of the start of the first term in 2020 for students and teachers alike.
Grade 4 learners in class
Former student revisits Pakati Secondary school
Lorraine Mapuranga went back to Pakati Secondary school for the first time since she completed Form 4 in 1992, and sent her report in recently.
Lorraine happy to be back….
I will continue to update the blog with all aspects of the project, from Zimbabwe and the UK, to keep followers, donors and interested parties involved throughout the year.
This week saw schools re-open on Tuesday across Zimbabwe. Pakati Primary school Head Mr Mahachi sent me a number of photos from the first few days of the new term. This is the first term of the school year in Zimbabwe.
Mr Mahachi in his office
The children at Pakati Primary semm happy to be back at school after their summer break
Grade 5 learners back in class
The school garden needs some work doing…
Plenty of weeding to be doneThe maize crop
Students around the school….
The computer room is yet to be used this term as it has been used for secure storage of school stationeryOnce everything is distributed then the room will be used for computer lessons
Many thanks to Mr Mahachi for organising the photos! We look forward to hearing more about progress at the school this term.
Well I sent an all-office email out today, declaring my intention to lose weight over the coming months. I got a great response from several colleagues, and hope that by 1st of June I will have lost enough to generate a good amount of money for friendsofpakati.com
Colleagues took pictures as I got weighed today
At 1pm today I was weighed officially, and below are my results:
Evidence!
17 stone 9 lbs / 113.4 kg for me.
My colleague & friend Karen registered a weight of 10 stone 4 lbs
I want to lose as much as I can by 1st June so we can use funds raised in good time before late September when I hope to return to Pakati.
