Where to begin? Well after the extraordinary events at Pakati, I then stayed in Harare and around. My principal host in Harare was Donna, in Marlborough, where the computers had been delivered to and stored. She lives with her two boys, TJ and Kuku. As with Bothwell in the previous post, they were wonderful hosts. I cannot thank them enough for their hospitality under the challenging circumstances.
Donna with the authorTJKuku
The next few pictures are concentrated on the Secondary school at Pakati….
With Mr Chifaka, Head of Pakati Secondary schoolWith Mrs Pindura, Deputy HeadWith Mr MagabazaWith Mrs MunatswaWith Mr Nehanda, school clerkWith Mrs MwaashidzanaWith Mr ChizenyaWith Mr MutyavaviriMrs KatonhaWith Mr Katonha
The next few photos show some of the other people I have met, either old friends or new.
Honourable Jonah Sewera, MP for Murewa West, his Brother-in-law, Mrs Sewera and the authorWith Alderman Israel Maliki, councillor for Murewa Ward 14Bothwell, plus Holly and Vari from Vatonatsa Foundation (also Holly’s Granddaughter), and the authorWith Stayce Chadenga, Form 1 student at Pakati Secondary school – daughter of my former student Elliot Munyaradzi ChadengaWith Lorraine Mapuranga, former student of mine and contributor to this blog, as is Bothwell RisideLorraine, Keith, Michelle, the Author, Esther, Admire, PamelaWith Mr MasawiTalking with Thomas Gombera, first time I have seen him in over 25 years
There were so many more people I met, but the Njenje family greeted me on arrival near the school signboard….but then I am one of them after all.
The author’s long-awaited trip to Zimbabwe is now over….I will do a separate post regarding several people I met during my return to Pakati. However, special mention must be given to the family who live closest to the school – Bothwell Riside (see previous posts on here) and his family.
Faresi, Bothwell, and his mother Mrs Beauty Mafema
I stayed for several days and nights in their rural home, and let me say this: no 5-star hotel can compare with the welcome and care I receieved there. Special thanks to Bothwell’s mother and his cousin’s wife – Mrs Beauty Mafema (mbuya Svova ) and Faresi – see pictures for an insight into life in Rural Zimbabwe…
Inside the living roomThe rondavel is the kitchenMain part of the homestead – Living room and bedroomsView from the homesteadMy favourite part of the day – as the sun goes down in the Pakati area
My thanks also go to Bothwell in particular, who was a terrific host, driver, translator, storyteller, confidant and friend throughout my stay.
Bothwell in full flow translating my speech at the hand-over ceremony at Pakati
This is the second instalment of the story of how IT arrived at Pakati. It begin with the a meeting in 2018 with the Head of the Secondary school, Mr Chifaka. As I sat in his office ww discussed developments at the school since I left in September 1991, most obvious being the new buildings – Admin block, new classrooms and more teachers houses. When I asked what developments he would wish to see, he said one word: Computers. That day this project was born.
The day our ideas came to fruition
There were 2 other significant things to come from those initial discussions for which Mr Chifaka must take credit – firstly. we should include the Primary school so in future, students moving up to Secondary will then have a basic knowledge of IT already, and secondly, we must follow local protocols and include local councillors, the Council themselves, plus the local MP along with villge elders and School Development Committees.
Handover ceremony for the local dignatories and school Heads
MP Honourable Jonah Sewera along with the CEO if Murewa Rural District Council, Alderman Israel Maliki, village elders and School Development Committee members ensure the Heads of the 2 schools can now set up and use the donated equipmemt.
All goods were unwrapped at the Secondary school
Following the ceremony we set up the computers at both schools. See below how it happened at the Secondary school.
Once fully set up, as with the Primary school, Mr Riside helped by running a brief basic IT lesson for a few Form 3 and 4 students.
Stephenson Group from Leeds donated much of the equipment now being used, and I learned recently they have more items to pass to friendsofpakati.com -possibly another 8 PCs to share with the two schools. A tremendous gesture by them everyone here at Pakati thinks.
Also welcomed by Head Mr Chifaka are the football jerseys donated by Scunthorpe United Football Club. He strongly believes these gifts will “…motivate our students to do well academically and in our sports competitions.”
This is the first instalment about IT at both Pakati schools, thanks to the donations by the Stephenson Group based in Leeds, to cash donations by Scunthorpe United and the many individual contributions via the http://gofundme.com/friends-of-pakati page.
Unwrapping all the goods at Pakari
With all the goods unwrapped and securely stored at the Secondary school until after the handover ceremony, they had been separated into what equipment was to go to which school.
The donations were eventually formally handed over to, and accepted by, the two Pakati schools
Next day, we delivered all the donated items which were chosen for the Primary school, including computers and sports equipment.
Mr Mahachi, Head of Pakati Primary school, with the author
Myself, Alderman Israel Maliki and Bothwell Riside then proceeded to help Primary school staff set up the equipment for their first use.
Getting the computers set up for the first time
Once set up, we asked the staff to gather some Grade 6 pupils for an impromptu initial trial lesson, given by Bothwell Riside. He demonstrated his teaching skills , thoroughly engaging the children in the lesson.
Following on from the demonstration lesson, at which the pupils began to learn about hardware, software and how to use keyboards, mouse and the monitors, the staff gathered around to hear advice about setting the equipment up themselves and secure storage. They warmly thanked everyone responsible for the donations, especially the Stephenson Group from Leeds.
Primary school staff with the author
Left to Right: Mr Mahachi, Mr Masamha, Mr Gonye Mr Mupaikwa, Mr Chakanyuka , Mrs Farirayi, Mrs Kupara, Mr Chorichi (with head only visible ), Mr Walker, Mrs Bvirakare, Mrs Mandingaisa, and Mr Kupara.
Primary school staff also thanked Scunthorpe United Football Club for their donation of football shirts – very gratefully received! Mr Mahachi, Head of Pakati Primary school said that “…these donations of computers and sports kits will help transform the lives of many of our students. We wish to record our thanks to all who donated to friendsofpakati for their contributions.”
See below the pictures and brief reaction to the donated sports kits…
Football shirts donated by Scunthorpe United FCDonated shirts by Scunthorpe United FCShirts donated by fans of Scunthorpe United FCShirts donated by fans of Scunthoroe United FC
see below for one reaction to the donations
Pakati Secondary school student gives his view on the donation of the shirts
The handover ceremony took place in the presence of the local dignatories as mentioned on the previous post.
In order to follow protocol a symbolic sample of the goods were passed by me to the MP, then to the CEO of the Rural District Council, to the local councillor before being handed to the two school representatives.
The 2 principal donors, Stephenson Group for computers and Scunthorpe United FC for the football kits and a substantial cssh donation plus all induvidual donors were all greatly thanked and appreciated.
Thank you to those Iron fans who donated football kits
It was great to get the support of the local MP, CEO of Murewa RDC, the local councillor and so many other local organisations as well as the community around Pakati
It was also great to have a local organisation such as VaTonatsa supporting our event. Please look out for them on social media to find out more.
We had a meal of local foods afterwards much to my delight!
The Iron has a new supporter!
Many thanks to EVERYONE who made the day such a great succes!!
I met with the Head, Mr Cifaka, and we discussed all aspects of the day ahead. I also met with local dignatories including the local MP Hon. Mr Jonah Sewera, local councillor Alderman Isael Maliki and other councillors, Dr. Gurajane CEO of Murewa Rural District Council, Heads of local villgaes, School Development Committee members, local donors and supporters of development for women and girls organisation VaTonatsa members, along with staff from both schools.
Mr Walker and Hon. Mr Jonah Sewera, MP fir Murewa West constituency
Along with many parents, students from the Primary and Secondary were also present.
Mr Bothwell Riside with Mr Walker
Throught the day I was helped tremendously by my friend and host Mr Bothwell Riside. He translated throughout the proceedings with good grace and much aplomb.
I arrived at Pakati on Thursday 26th September, after a journey of around 2 hours from Harare, via Musami.
At Musami…just 15km to go….
As I arrived at the school signpost I was warmly greeted by members of the Njenje family.
A very warm welcome indeed
I then proceeded to the Secondary school, where I was greeted the the staff and students. We took the goods into the staffroom, then unrwapped them all.
We then set up one of the PC’s to check things were working ok
Mr Mugove Chifaka, Head of Pakati Secondary school inspectng the goodsMr Chizenya, trying out the equipment for the first time
Delighted to see that every item arrived safely. Then everything was safely stored in the Administration block, ready for the celebration event next day and the setting up of the goods at both schools ready for use.
I arrived in Zimbabwe around lunchtime yesterday, and am currently in Harare. Later this morning I will head to Pakati with the goods from the donations of equipment and using money raised via the http://gofundme.com/friendsofpakati page also.
From me, the author, Chris Walker, I want to give my personal thank you, before the official event at Pakati tomorrow to celebrate and officially accept all the donations, for all who contributed either in cash or kind, large or small amounts, businesses, football clubs, fan groups, or individuals – family, friends, colleagues, football fans, strangers – and not least those who accompanied me on the Walk in April. Thanks!!
