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I went to Chidiya Secondary school that was in 1989 for my form 1. 1n 1990 I transfered back to my home school, Pakati Secondary, because of unforseen circumstances at Chidiya where I was staying with a relative.

It was good meeting my former primary school student friends again, one of whom is Wilbert Chanetsa, and am delighted that I have just reconnected with him some two weeks ago. There are a lot more but I have forgotten most of them. I was so glad to reconnect with them after a very long time.

I was very good in Engish and Shona. I still remember some of my teachers Mr Nyamauya, Mr Vheremu, Mr Siyawamwaya, Mr Chifamba.. not forgetting Mr Walker. Miss Ison, Miss Beattie and Miss Chadbon. We had a blessing to have such teachers at the school – why ? Because I have a testimony to share.

1n 1992 when I was in form 4 there was a severe drought, and my parents could not manage to pay for my exam fees, probably because they could not afford it, or because the girl child was looked down upon.

My parents advised me to go back to form 3 and would sit for my O levels the following year. Miss Chadbon and Miss Beattie seeing me in a form 3 class asked why…I told them my reasons. Little did I know that good samaritans had knocked on my door. They told me to go back to my class and then they paid for my Exam fees. I was very grateful to them for that.

After completing my O levels worked for my community under Agritex, and when the contract expired I moved to Harare where I met my husband, who encouraged me to do a course. I did a secretarial course with Trust Academy, then I worked for Karina (pvt) Ltd but sadly the company collapsed because of a liquidity crunch.

I’m a proud mom of Keith and Michelle. Keith is 23 and has just completed his four year Programne with Airforcre of Zimbabwe. Michelle is 18 and is waiting to go to university. Unfortunately my husband passed on and I have been hustling to make a living in Zimbabwe, but after realizing that things were not working well I relocated to South Africa, where I am currently working with a Doctor (Occupational Therapiist) in her office- so far so good.

Mr Walker was my Maths teacher and the other white teachers at the school made us proud, to an extent that when you hear me communicating, you would think this is not a woman from a grassroots school.

I got a lot of inspirstion from Mr Vheremu who would always teach and encourage us to work hard, and I qoute”vapfanha verengai otherwise muchatengesa shiri dzirikubhururuka muchiti ndedzenyu” close quote. He meant we must study hard and not sell what does not belong to us e.g. – if you don’t make it in life you will end up pointing at a bird that is flying and claim it is yours and then demand money for it!

There is a distinct possibility that we will hear more from Lorraine soon…

My name is Joakem Musindo Njenje, and I was born in 1977 at St Pauls Hospital, Musami. I lived in Njenje village near the bus-stop known as pachuru.

I was at Pakati Primary school from 1986 to 1992, then at Pakati Secondary school from 1993 to 1996. My favourite subject was Geogeaphy, and I was an actor of dramas, together with my friend Bothwell Riside. My favourite sport was soccer.

After OrdinaryLevels I spent the whole of 1997 farming, before working as a store keeper from 1998 in Harare where I stayed for 5 years.

In 2001 I then married my intelligent and lovely wife, Lydia Mangwani. She went on to join the Ministry of Health for 3 years as a student nurse. She qualified in 2007, and she currently works at St Pauls Hospital in Musami. We are blessed with 2 girls (Devine Njenje & Hamilton Njenje) and a boy (Disney Njenje).

I later worked for Bakers Inn for 4 years, but due to economic hardship I had to start my own piggery. Unfortunately this was also affected by economic crisis in Zimbabwe. Now we have opened Oasis Poly Clinic, at Musami Cross, along the Harare-Mutoko highway.

I am still in touch with some of my former schoolmates, notably Bothwell Riside, Regina Tsinya and Eddie Dzapasi among several others.

My name is Lorraine Mapuranga. I was born in 1974 in Harare Central Hospital. Both my parents were peasant farmers, and I was born in a family of 3 girls with me being the second child.

Growing up in a family where we were only girls made life a bit difficult for me, because we had to do all household chores, some of which are culturally men’s duties, like herding cattle or milking cows, and though it was our major source of protein I hated it so much.

I also had to make sure the goats and our chickens were cared for by me and my sisters, so we would take turns to do it. As growing up girls we were also taught to till the land sometimes before we went to school.

I had also to fetch water from as far away as 2 kilometres, and sometimes halfway back from the well I would fall and had to go back again to fetch more. This time around I would will be crying. Then there was fetching firewood, where you would come across snakes in the mountain and sometimes get stung by scorpions.

Our daily food was sadza (finely ground maize made into a thick porridge) and vegetables, with peanut butter. I can also say we use to survive on seasonal foods. This is an umbrella term to describe what a girl from the grassroots survived on.

I did my primary education at Chanetsa primary school from 1982 to 1988. Something to smile at now is that my parents used to buy me a bigger size uniform so that it stays longer as I grew. However for me it was fine like that.

What was very interesting about waking up for school was we had our own brown rooster. It would guide us when to wake up and prepare for school. But then it sometimes used to get confused, like when the moon was too bright it would end up waking us up at 1am!. I would set a fire and prepare everything, only to find out later that it was actually midnight and not time for school….When going to school we were guided by the sun setting on a particular muhacha tree, but now this kind of watch was not reliable because it would differ with seasons.

As I write this im actually laughing at myself because now I can’t wake up at a certain time without an alarm, but you would wonder how I did it for so long, as young as I was. I will write a full book about this one day!

Now let me go to my high school. At grade7 (end of Primary schooling) I passed well and I vividly remember Enniviolata Chingoriwo who would always take number 1 and set me on second position. My other threat was from Kennedy Saide. I wish I could one day meet them again.

More from Lorraine in part 2 coming soon!

Thank yoou to the sponsors/supporters & all donors to friendsofpakati

I am pleased to report that as far as I have heard the Cyclone has not affected the area in any way.

However, I have had reports from some sources, of relatives and friends living in the affected areas around Chimanimani, some of whom have perished.

If I hear of any details I will add them in to future posts on here. If anyone wishes to send information to be published please use any of the contacts shown on the ‘Important Links’ page. Thank you

“….I had also to fetch water from as far as 2km and sometimes halfway back from the well I would fall and had to go back again to fetch more, this time I would be crying.”

My name is Locardia Mandishayika. I was born in 1979 at St Pauls Hospital, Musami.

I was at Pakati Primary from 1987 to 1993 and Pakati Secondary from 1994 to 1997. My favourite subjects were Science, Commerce and Shona.

At primary I still remember Mr Zimbudzana teaching me in grade 1, also Mr Marambakuyana, Mr Kupara, and Headmaster Mr Rugoyi. At secondary school I still remember our Commerce teacher, the late Mr Sagonda, the late Science teacher Mr Goronga and Mrs Chingoriwo, Agriculture teacher. During those years our headmaster was Mr Senzere.

I remember doing my school work and reading with my friends Christine Bayo and Happymore Makuwaza during lunch. I still keep in touch with my classmates including the two I mentioned. I wrote 5 subjects instead of 8 in O level as no one could pay the extra 3 after welfare paid for only 5.

My father died in 1993. I am the 3rd born, I have 1 sister and 5 brothers. Every morning at 3am we watered the garden, then we went to school. We came back at 5pm and watered the garden until 9 pm We farmed vegetables, tomatoes, onions, and sweet potatoes while our mother cooked. We did the dishes at 10pm, so that when I tried to study I was too tired.

I would read during break at school. We were 30 in a class with 3 people on each desk. I am currently working in South Africa (as an Au Pair in Sandton, Gauteng Province), and I take leave from work at the end of May to 30 June to sell the produce and during my leave I still help at the farm near Pakati.

My name is Moses Chadenga, I was born in 1974 at St Pauls Hospital, Musami. I was at Pakati Primary from 1981 to 1987, then at Pakati Secondary from 1988 to 1989. My favourite lessons were Geography, Shona, Science and Mathematics. My favourite memory at Secondary school is when I topped at ZJC in the subject of Shona and it was announced at the Assembly point.

When I left Pakati I transfered to Harare High school where I finished my O levels. I then got a job and worked for Lever Brothers for 2 years, then later joined Tedco Management Services where I worked for another 2 years.

In 1998 I formed a company with my brother, and we operated for 3 years. The company I formed was manufacturing batiks. We operated in Glenlorne area of Harare. I was also into sign writing, I am the one who designed and painted the Pakati sign post.

I then came back in Mrewa and started a farming business, until i was contracted by Pakati Secondary school and worked as a clerk from 2012 to 2015. When I was working I started studying with Bindura University.

I was inspired by Mr Walker & am now following in his footsteps. I finished the diploma in Science Education with Bindura University specialising in mathematics. I am waiting for the results, after which I will be a qualified maths teacher. I now have a contract with Chanetsa Secondary school, a neighbour and sister school to Pakati.

This week, on Thursday morning 14th March 2019 at 6:25 am, my Mother passed away in Scunthorpe General Hospital after a long illness. I think it is fitting I remember the time my parents visited Zimbabwe while I was working at Pakati.

My Mum, Pat as she liked to be called, had quite a sense of adventure, a bit more than my Dad to be honest….some of this only came out when they visited Zimbabwe.

My Dad also found something recently that she had written in 1990 & 91. I will quote directly from those notes in here, as it tells us a lot about my mum. Enjoy reading it, enjoy the photos and at the same time, I will enjoy the memories…

“What a year 1990 turned out to be…Each of my 3 sons had surprises for me. One got married, one got engaged, and one was teaching in Zimbabwe. I shared in the joys of the wedding, and of the engagement too, but the most unexpected thing for me was my chance to visit ZIMBABWE.

I cruised down the River Zambezi, saw crocodiles on the shore, hippos bathing and elephants galore. I excitedly left London on a 10 hour overnight flight, & Chris greeted me in Harare at 6am, as did the African sun.

I went on safari drives & saw zebras, more elephants, buffalo herds, giraffes, baboons and colourful birds. I also went to the Great Zimbabwe ruins, an old fortress with thick high walls.

I visited Victoria Falls, gazing in awe…looking down on the beautiful scene from the ‘Flight of Angels’

High sprays caused a rainforest, leaving trees & leaves glistening and those stood too close get wet through…

At Pakati School, where Chris was teaching, life was very different…no electricity or running water, but a very warm & sincere welcome from people there. They might not have much material things, but they laugh & dance & sing. Being happy inspite of a hard life, they could surely teach us something.

I had such fun, enjoyed the sun, and went again in 1991.”

There is very little I can add to this, other than to say I feel as proud of my mum as she clearly was of me…