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I really would like to talk about the state of things at Pakati schools, and broaden the help this website/blog can try to bring to both Primary and Secondary schools. Take a look at the photos in this post, and read the text please.

Pakati Primary and Secondary are typical of rural schools across Zimbabwe. Relatively large class sizes, lack of facilities, minimum state funding, a local community of subsistence farmers whose income are unstable and often badly affected by inconsistent weather patterns. Reliant on school fees for basic materials, these schools often struggle to provide necessary equipment such as books, desks or items needed for practical lessons. However, whatever limitations there are at Pakati and many similar schools, there are some very strong positives to mention.

Firstly, the dedication and hard work of the staff cannot be denied, even when delays in salaries being paid happen, or the economic hardships in Zimbabwe mean those salaries are relatively low. Many teachers grow crops to feed themselves.

Secondly, the students themselves are highly motivated to do well in their classes and exams. They are well aware that success here can help them escape a difficult life.

Thirdly, the attitude of the parents and local community towards education is also a very positive one. They are very supportive of the schools where they can, and welcome developments aimed at improving the level of education Pakati students are given.

These are schools which need some help….with things such as computers (which I am involved in providing,) but also with books. Equipment. Desks. Decoration. Maintenance. Sports equipment. Parents provide what they can but it is difficult sometimes. I see this now as a LONG TERM project to try and support these schools to provide a better standard of education. I know the students can get better results if they have a better educational environment, I have seen students coming out of Pakati with 5 GCSE/O Levels. What could they acheive with better equipment? Books? IT? Well maintained buildings? Proper equipment? Access to support and deve,opment for teachers? Let me tell you. As well as any student anywhere.

Mrs Munatswa with some learners fetching water from the well to the garden

Thanks go to Mrs Pindura, Deputy Head for the pictures

1. Sports – disappointment for Pakati Secondary school in the District football competitions. Two games played, against Kambarami and Chenhuta, were both 2-0 losses. These two teams actually made it to the tournament final. Full report and pictures still to follow soon.

2. Football shirts. I have been given a number of football shirts, and have just taken them to Simon, my friend who is a collecter and trader. He has already started on getting interest from people he knows, and informs me that a number of them could raise a decent amount, a couple in the range of £50-60 each. All funds raised will go to http://gofundme.com/friends-of-pakati

3. Signed picture of Scunthorpe United from several years ago, apparently is going to be auctioned in the near future to raise funds for http://friendsofpakati.com and I believe there may be other items available too.

Left to right: Stuart Pine, IT Manager at Stephenson Group; Chris Walker, founder of http://friendsofpakati.com ; Richard Musgrave Marketing Manager at Stephenson Group. Photo by Tom from Stephenson Group, taken at their premises in Horsforth near Leeds, West Yorkshire. Stuart can be seen holding one of the seven donated computers.

Football coach Mr Magabaza (seen below) has been discussing tactics and formations – I am told he is going for 4-4-2 – for the team in tomorrows District competitions, which are being held at Chemhondoro High Scool, a journey of around 25km.

Much more to follow at the weekend, including a full report and pictures from the tournament.

https://www.stephensonpersonalcare.com/ official website of the Stephenson Group based in Horsforth, near Leeds, in West Yorkshire

Back in January 2019, Stuart Pine (IT Manager, Stephenson Group) heard my interview on BBC Radio Humberside’s Sports Talk programme on his car radio, on his way home from work.

He got in contact with me by email, saying he thought the company could donate some computers to me for Pakati Schools, as they were in the process of upgrading their IT systems.

Today, Wednesday 10th July 2019, saw me visit the company and meet Stuart for the first time. I also met the company’s Marketing Manager, Richard Musgrave, and photographer Tom who took pictures for their forthcoming publicity.

Once I get the publicity material I will post another blog with full details.

The promise of some computers finally came to fruition today, and I have collected the 7 PCs , 3 monitors, 7 keyboards & box of cables, mice and a webcam. I now have them stored, and will be contacting someone about organising shipping to Zimbabwe in time for my forthcoming visit later this year.

As an extra bonus, Richard has donated several football shirts, which I am now told have a good market value – they are heading to Simon my friend the shirt collector and trader to raise more funds in the coming weeks for http://friendsofpakati.com Thank you Richard!

Many thanks on behalf of Pakati Schools to Stuart and Richard and to the Stephenson Group for the generous donation of IT equipment!!! I hope this might inspire others to follow suit…

Following a discussion with Mr Kahuni, the Sports Director at Pakati earlier today, I can confirm the details of the Boys Under-20s football District competitions.

Day/date: Friday 12th July

Venue: Chemhondoro High School (close to Musami Cross – near the junction of Harare/Mutoko and Musami/Maronera roads).

Teams competing: Chemhondoro High, Murewa High, St Pauls High, Nyahuni High, Chenhuta Secondary, Shumbahainyare Secondary, Rota Secondary and Pakati Secondary.

Mr Kahuni spoke earlier to Pakati Centre Back Fradreck Makuvaza, who said ” We are going there to win. We will fight to the last match. I am confident in our team”

Very best of luck to Pakati!!!

● First computers being donated by the Stephenson Group this Wednesday

● Publicity around the donation of computers – details afterwards including photos

● More updates on football shirts/memorabilia either for sale/fundraising or for the Schools at Pakati

● Update on fundraising http://gofundme.com/friends-of-pakati

● Updates to the website/blog

● New content including videos following upgrade to the website

● New directions for http://friendsofpakati.com as we look to expand help to the school

● Updates also promoted via http://twitter.com/friendsofpakati.com and http://facebook.com/Friends-of-pakati

● Will be asking for more help – ideas on fundraising, on publicity, on social media please!

Date: Friday 5th July 2019, Venue: Mabika Secondary school

Zonal Under-20s boys football competition – participants: Mabika, Dombodzvuku and Pakati Secondary Schools. Munamba did not participate.

All games played were played at 60 minutes each.

First game – Mabika v Pakati – result : victory for Pakati by 1-0, the scorer was Delight Chizema

In the second game of the tournament Mabika beat Dombodzvuku by 1-0

The third and final game saw Pakati take on Dombodzvuku. It ended as a 1-1 draw, with penalties deciding the winner. Delight Chizema again scored Pakati’s goal.

Pakati took the honours by winning the penalty shoot-out 5-3, the scorers being Frederick Makuvaza, Nigel Shamba, Christian Cheza, Large Rupiya and Tinashe Cheza. Keeper Panashe Zhuwao was on form, helping Pakati to victory.

Sports Director at Pakati – Mr Kahuni – gave his thoughts about their chances in the next round, the District competitions:

“We managed to win the Zonal competition, but as we go to the District, the competition will be more tense. The team played well but they need to improve in defence. Our keeper and the defenders should communicate well and pass accurately to the next player”.

More details of the District level games to follow.

Well done to Pakati for winning the Zonal competition!!!

•Sports Update

Tomorrow (Friday 5th July) sees the boys Under-20s football team compete at nearby Mabika Secondary school in the Zonal competition. They are hoping to progress to the District competition, then maybe the Provincials, in the following weeks.

This just in from Mr Kahuni, Sports Director: “The Head Mr Chifaka met with the boys today and encouraged them to fight hard to win the games and have team spirit.”

•Computers Update

Fantastic news! This coming week I am invited to the Stephenson Group’s offices just outside Leeds. I will finally be meeting Stuart, the IT Department Manager, who heard one of my radio interviews back in January this year. He contacted me via email friendsofpakati@gmail.com offering some IT equipment as the company were buying in new computers.

I am also meeting Richard, their Marketing Manager. He is organising the publicity, which should help both the company, and friendsofpakati.com as they hand over their generous donation to Pakati schools.

It is possible this may be the start of a very good relationship between the Stephenson Group and Pakati.

•Health Update

Thanks to Israel Maliki, local Councillor for Murewa Ward 14 which includes the Pakati area, for this update on the figures regarding the recent Health Event held at Pakati Secondary school.

The event was done by PSI (Population Services International) and the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health, attended by the local MP Jonah Sewera and Guest of Honour, Mr Munemo from the District Education Office.

The figures given were 85 for circumcision, 42 for cervical cancer screening and 103 for HIV Testing services.