Friends Of Pakati

…contains several items of interest to followers of Friends of Pakati, so let’s get on with it!

Firstly, what might these lads pictured below have to do with us I hear you ask?

Matt, Badley & Matt – presenters of the Iron Bru Podcast for fans of Scunthorpe United FC.

Well, I am currently in discussions about an event to raise funds for us, and it seems they are looking to run something themselves…so my idea is morphing into a joint event. We have a potential venue and tentative dates, and we are looking at possible guests to appear who might draw people to the event. Still early days, but I will post updates as we make progress.

Secondly, I hear from sources in Zimbabwe that schools are to re-open across the country on Monday, 7th February, following a decline in Covid cases there. Hopefully scenes like this below will be repeated at both Pakati schools that day.

Right now, school is empty, but it is looking very green and lush as it is the rainy season in Zimbabwe. The rains recently have been heavy, and the nearby Shavanhowe river is flowing quite high.

I am hoping for regular updates from both schools as we follow their progress.

Thirdly, here is the link to a recent short radio interview I did recently (as mentioned last week https://friendsofpakati.com/2022/01/23/wow-things-do-happen-quickly-sometimes-dont-they/ )…my part starts at 28minutes in (you should be able to fast forward to it) & it lasts for about 7 minutes:

https://podcast.canstream.co.uk/bcb/index.php?id=62991

The interview was with Bradford Community Broadcasting – BCB, and my thanks go to the presenters, Dom Burch & Lorna Kook for the interview, and Jo Kenyon for her assistance.

Fourthly, I have been promised some money from our friend Simon – https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/07/02/a-friend-of-friends-of-pakati-meet-simon/ – from the sale of some items on our behalf on ebay, including this item below, donated earlier this year.

Finally, back to the lads from Iron Bru…well one of them in particular. Bradley, who bought one of our badges recently (see below) is offering us some help, so I intend to take him up on that very soon…

He tells me he is the one who compiles & edits the podcast for the team, and is willing to help me with something similar for Friends of Pakati! That is a chance too great to pass up on, so watch -and listen out to – this space for more info in the near future👍Thanks Brad!

It is also highly likely that Friends of Pakati will appear on the Iron Bru podcast during the lead-up to 23rd April, as well as to our other suggested fundraising event, as we promote each other across all platforms. Read about what the original plans were here – https://friendsofpakati.com/2022/01/16/past-present-future/

Back with more next week!

Just last week, on Monday, I was starting to wonder about whether anyone was paying attention to the blog & what Friends of Pakati was trying to do. The statistics were unusually low in spite of what I thought was a great blog post last Sunday – https://friendsofpakati.com/2022/01/16/past-present-future/ – then THIS week…well, read on & find out more!

Assembly at Pakati Secondary school in 2019

The first thing that happened was on Tuesday, when the local newspaper here in Bradford – the Telegraph & Argus – published an article about one of oyr fundraising events planned for this year, the ‘Get TIED UP for PAKATI’. Here is the link to the article:

https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/19853278.bradford-based-scunthorpe-fan-calls-city-supporters-ahead-zimbabwe-fundraiser/

Not surprisingly, my work colleagues & several friends saw & read it, saying good things about the article.

Also on Tuesday, I plucked up the courage to go into the offices of a local radio station, BCB (Bradford Community Broadcasting) to see if they would be interested in what the paper had published. They said Yes Please! So, after work on Friday, I went back to them & had a very enjoyable interview on their evening slot around 5.30pm. Many thanks to all at BCB for the interview, and the open invitation to return. Definitely I will do that as often as they will have me!

Next, late on Saturday night, I got a message on whats app from someone I wasn’t expecting…but am.delighted to hear from her. Below is one Lucy Kamufetu, who is the daughter of one of my former students!

I am hoping this means I will finally get to tell the story of one family whose siblings were academically very bright, and I also found them to be very friendly when I once was invited to their homestead. In particular. I helped Hatipedzi Tsinyah with school fees in her final year at Pakati Secondary, while her brother Lawrence was also taught by myself and Debbie Chadbon. Below is Hati, Lucy’s mother, picture taken in 1991.

As if that wasn’t enough excitement for me, this morning I got a message from another former student…much more recent than Hati (above)…someone who would have completed Form 4 in 2020, but her exams were delayed into 2021 because of Covid 19. She is called Angeline Mavunga & still lives in the Pakati area. I hope to tell her story in time to publish next Sunday.

Other news

Planning is now going ahead for the two fundraising events discussed in last weeks blog. I am in contact with people who can help, and will give more details when I can. I have started to get offers of things to sell on our behalf, including some cycling gear from a fellow Scunthorpe United fan, Chris Brader. Football shirts & the FIFA22 mentioned recently are not likely to be the last things to help us rause the funds to meet our vision https://friendsofpakati.com/2020-vision-friends-of-pakati-the-project-continues/  & if you want to find out why I do this project, please read the rest of that page undermeath the vision.

Past, Present & Future

Past & present are easy to talk about, but what about the future? How will we continue with our plans? What are our plans for 2022 going to look like? Here is a hint of something coming up this year…see in the section below on our future

.

Past

Friends of Pakati was officially launched on Wednesday, 16th January, 2019. This was after around 4 months of research, preparation & setting things up. It conicided with the 30th Anniversary of me stepping into a classroom for the first time as a teacher at Pakati Secondary School.

Since meeting Head Mr Chifaka in 2018, we have had some great moments, including the delivery of our first set of IT & sports equipment…

…all of which went to the schools in September 2019, the scene of an official handover of the goods.

Present

Now, 3 years on from our official launch in 2019, we are looking forward to 2022, our 4th year of operating. It should be a momentous year, as we are presently preparing for a number of things to happen, among them the following:

• Charity registration
• Fundraising events
• Collaboration with VaTonatsa Foundation
• Collecting donated IT & shipping to Zimbabwe
• Overseeing delivery to Pakati

From a recent blog – https://friendsofpakati.com/2022/01/09/generous-gifts-are-always-welcome/ – we have been donated FIFA22 on Play Station 5, and our friend Simon has collected it this week.

With Simon’s help, we should be able to raise some much-needed funds for Friends of Pakati!

Future

Our most important mission this year – 2022 – is to collect the 20 promised computers from the hugely supportive Stephenson Group Ltd of Leeds, and deliver them to Pakati schools, just as we did in 2019. This means we have to add significantly to our funds, so already we are planning at least 2 fundraising events, with the possibility of more to come. For today, I will focus on the first two – one of which is still in the process of being designed, the other is something which Covid 19 prevented from happening in 2020.

First, let me start with the one which is already ‘designed’ so here is the 2022 version of Get ‘TIED UP’ for PAKATI

Already I have the Scunthorpe United Official Supporters Club (SUOSC) Chair, Neal Campbell, on board. He recently told me that “I will back this and help in any way I can.”

The next stage is for me to contact the supporters groups for Bradford City FC, and also both clubs themselves. I have had an interview to be published in the local Bradford newspaper, the T&A, quite soon. I hope therefore to get as large a number of fans of both clubs to wear a tie to the game on 23rd April, & each one to donate £1 to Friends of Pakati. Below is my own example:

The second event is just beginning to be organised. It is planned to be ‘An Evening With…’, and so far, I have someone who has agreed to be involved, and should attract some interest in Scunthorpe. Sir Nic Dakin is the former MP for the Scunthorpe area, who lost his seat in the 2019 General Election.

We are starting to search for a suitable venue, and are putting together other ideas to make the evening a success, to raise funds for us. Some of these may or may not happen, but things such as live music, quiz, raffle, food, merchandise stall – but we will decide these as time goes on. Publicity will be key to get a good number of people. We are looking at late May/June as a likely tine of year for it to happen.

Other News

The Consortium of Zimbabwe Charities  of which Friends of Pakati is a member, is gathering new members both UK and Zimbabwe based. Here is one recent post on their facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/105442821920359/posts/125599109904730/  – about one of those newer members. They are currently constructing a new website, details of wbich will be released soon.

….plus other news.

Firstly though, a very generous offer was made to me… recently I heard from a fellow Iron (Scunthorpe United FC) fan called Andrew Purser. He has had a bit of good luck:

“Hi Chris  I’ve just won a signed PS5 copy of FIFA22 from SUFC and was wondering if you would accept it to either eBay or auction for Friends of Pakati?”

Stock image of  Sony PS5

Not surprisingly, I said YES PLEASE!

But what should I do with it? That bit was easy – contact friend of Friends if Pakati, Simon Faulkner. Find out more about him.here – https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/07/02/a-friend-of-friends-of-pakati-meet-simon/

Simon is going down to the Sands Venue Stadoum/Glanford Park soon to collect the FIFA22, and will be advertising it for sale/auction on Ebay before too long.

I did ask Andrew why he decided to give his prize away…got this wonderful reply:

“I’ve always believed that if you are fortunate to receive a small bit of luck then it’s important to pass that forward, after following Chris on Twitter and reading some of his excellent blogs regarding the fantastic work of Friends of Pakati I felt as though there was no better place to pass forward my spot of luck #UTI”

Well, that is a massive ‘Thank You’ from all of us here at Friends of Pakati, Andrew! Details of when it will be offered for sale/auction will be released soon!

The next question is….do you have anything you would like to donate to ys for sale/auction/raffle? Memorabilia? Sports gear? School equipmenr? Anything useful? If so, please let us know via our usual channels:

friendsofpakati@gmail.com

http://Twitter.com/friendsofpakati you can DM us there

http://Facebook.com/Friends-of-pakati you cam IM us there

Or you can message us here on this website in the comments section.

More on this (and other potential events) in next weekend’s special blog – Past, Present & Future!

Other News

Firstly, I am reliably informed that the planned reopening of schools in Zimbabwe has once again been delayed due to Covid19, with the Omicron variant having a rapid spread across southern Africa. Those sitting exams will be allowed in, but under strict potocols.

Scenes of students returning to school delayed once more due to Covid 19.

As soon as they do re-open, we will bring you up to date on all things related to Pakati schools.

Secondly, the Author is currently also involved with the previously-mentioned Consortium of Zimbabwe Charities – see here for more information https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/10/24/collaborations-under-discussion-plus-other-pakati-news/  – as we gather more members here in the UK and in Zimbabwe. Structures are being put in place, and a website is being built. Already the Consortium has a Facebook page, and has posted several items sent in by members, be it events, news, blogs or whatever. Take a look here – https://www.facebook.com/consortiumofzimbabwecharities/ to see what has been published so far.

Thirdly, I have been taking stock of our assets & Here is a brief run down of what we currently have:

One pull-up banner

258 Badges

115 mugs (3 different designs)

32 coasters (3 different designs)

115 key rings, incl 30 old ones & 85 new ones, both sets in 3 different designs

…and 82 T-shirts in 5 sizes – Small, Medium, Large, XL & XXL

Xmas 2021 prices are still in effect! See https://friendsofpakati.com/merchandise/

Also see some of our satisfied customers https://friendsofpakati.com/our-merchandise-satisfied-customers/

Please let us know using the same channels shown above in the first section of this blog post.

Finally, a reminder to look out for next weekend’s special blog – Past, Present & Future – to find out what to expect from Friends of Pakati in 2022!

Why next Sunday, 16th January? What is so special about that date? Here is a reminder in the first paragraph of the first ever blog – https://friendsofpakati.com/2019/01/04/my-project-for-2019/

A very warm welcome to the first blog of 2022 – and let us at Friends of Pakati wish all of you, your families and your friends, a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I will now add a short video to pass on my own personal welcome to you all to the New Year, before the blog gives an update on several important issues which are going on in the background for us.

The main things to discuss on this blog are:

Who we are – the people behind Friends of Pakati

Stephenson Group

VaTonatsa Foundation

New Year plans

Consortium of Zimbabwe Charities

Financial position

Professionalising

Charity Status

___________________________________________________

So, to begin with – Who we are – the people behind Friends of Pakati:

Firstly the Author – me – Chris Walker, former Acting Head & Maths Teacher at Pakati Secondary School between Jan 1989 & Sep 1991, now living & working in Bradford, UK.

Secondly,  former student of both Pakati schools and now Teacher if English/IT in an International School in South East Asia, Bothwell Riside.

Thirdly, former student at Pakati Secondary School between 1990 & 1992, Lorraine Mapuranga, who currently lives & works in South Africa.

Fourthly, Stuart Pine, IT Manager at the Stephenson Group in Leeds, key donors of PCs & sponsors of Friends of Pakati.

And Fifthly, another former Maths Teacher at Pakati Secondary School between Sep 1991 & Dec 1993, Debbie Chadbon, who now lives & works in Bristol, UK.

Next, the Stephenson Group – http://Www.stephensonpersonalcare.com – who came on board with a donation of PCs in 2019, thanks largely to Stuart their IT Manager mentioned above.

Following a phone call with Stu very recently, it was confirmed they are planning to donate another 20 PCs at least, and I hope to talk to their Sustainability person soon about issues around getting them transported out to the schools in 2022. We are delighted to have them continue to partner with us to recycle IT they no longer use.

Following on from this is VaTonatsa Foundation, an organisation Friends of Pakati are delighted have partnered with before. Most notably was during 2020 with the Covid-19 pandemic at its height, with schools closed, we collaborated on producing revision booklets for exam students at 5 schools including both at Pakati.

We are now looking to work more closely together in the future, drawing up a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate where our visions overlap – support for students, schools and communities in Ward 14 of Murewa District, where Pakati schools sit. A full blog on this will happen in the near future.

Picture from the meeting at VaTonatsa Foundation where among other things they passed the resolution to sign an MOU with Friends of Pakati.

New Year plans…all will become clear when I release a special blog on 16th January – the 33rd anniversary of when I took my first lesson as a teacher at Pakati Secondary school!

Next up is the Consortium of Zimbabwe Charities, of which Friends of Pakati is an active member. Currently the set up of the two branches – UK and Zimbabwe – is taking place. Roles are being agreed & allicated, with both branches to mirror each other while allowing for legal & practical differences.

Our Financial position as of 31/12/2021 has been affected by the purchase of goods to sell – merchandise – so there is an amount of money that we have, but Friends of Pakati also has assets – that merchandise. Every penny from future sales will go into the funds available.

See more details at  https://friendsofpakati.com/income-expnditure-monthly-information/

Friends of Pakati needs to Professionalise. It has been going for 3 years now, and if it is to succeed in growing & expanding, it needs to up its game. A more professional appraoch, particularly in terms of fundraising, events, communications and sponsorship/donors/supporters. More details will be released in the New Year.

Charity status has been delayed somewhat during & because if Covid 19, but I think it is time to get it sorted. I have started to go back over the process, and hope to have the application in early in 2022.

That’s all for now, and so…

 

 

Welcome to the Author’s Annual Review for Friends of Pakati! I hope you enjoy it & can help us by sharing across your contacts & social media platforms.

Let me have a quick word while I can…

I am going to cheat a bit for the first 6 months – here is the link to find out what we did between January & June this year: https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/06/26/friends-of-pakati-6-months-review/

Now, let’s take a look at the most important things to happen to Friends of Pakati in these last 6 months – some of them are potentially very significant for our future.

So, in July this year the first thing that happened was something potentially bad – the Author had a (thankfully) mild heart attack.

Due to the efforts & expertise of the NHS here in the UK, I was treated swiftly & relesaed after only 3 nights in hospital. Read about it here – https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/07/08/from-the-author-thank-you-to-the-nhs/ I am very glad to be able to say I am back to full health & taking the medication & advice I need to prevent a reccurrence.

July provided some important news for us, not least the promise by http://Stephensonpersonalcare.co.uk to have more computers to send to Pakati schools as soon as we are safely able to. Read about it here: https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/07/17/great-news-more-it-for-pakati-schools/

During my recovery from the heart attack, at home I was able to spend time on Friends of Pakati, and it allowed me to make sure I was well enough to attend the ‘Positive Change Makers’ event in August. It was wonderful to meet the members of http://theteamcarofoundation.org.uk who had lived up to their promise to fund our website.

Here are two key posts about our preparations for, and attendance at that event – https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/07/31/promoting-friends-of-pakati/ and https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/08/15/an-amazing-evening-for-friends-of-pakati/

Strangely, we have only had two new profiles of people to introduce to you, but they were ones I had been trying to get hold of for some time. Both were former students of mine, and were sisters. I have very fond memories of my time at Pakati, and remember both sisters very well. Read all about them here: https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/07/24/from-pakati-to-london-weekend-star-epiphania-chiroodza/ and https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/08/11/pakati-sports-star-profile-of-juliana-chiroodza/

Every now & then I blog from more of a personal perspective, rather than reporting what is happening at the schools or with interested parties. These next few posts are good examples of that…https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/08/22/wherever-you-have-friends-its-the-best-place/ plus these two posts about my concerns regarding Friends of Pakati: https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/09/28/founders-concerns-advice-needed/ and https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/10/03/founders-concerns-follow-up/

Both Pakati schools have provided information, photos and updates on what has been happening, here are a couple of them for you, firstly at the Primary https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/10/17/ecd-block-back-in-use-plus-other-news/ then at the Secondary https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/09/09/pakati-students-return-to-school-plus-some-other-news/

In the last couple of months, Friends of Pakati have become involved in two different, but overlapping collaborations. Firstly, the idea has emerged that we should become ever more closely tied to one of our partner organisations, VaTonatsa Foundation.

Secondly, a Consortium of Zimbabwe Charities is now being formalised, an initiative by TeamCaro for organisations in both the UK and Zimbabwe. Both ourselves and VaTonatsa are now members. Read about all this here: https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/10/24/collaborations-under-discussion-plus-other-pakati-news/

Both of these collaborations should develop significantly in the New Year, and will feature in the blog accordingly.

The consortium is already active, as seen in our recent blog about an event in Harare, Zimbabwe: https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/12/07/consortium-event-a-great-sucess/

We are gaining publicity and interest among the NGO community, not least thanks to the NGO News Digest recently, who have come on board in support of the Consortium – see https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/12/19/hold-the-front-page/

Sometimes I don’t have a theme, or main story to tell, but a number of smaller items to discuss. Here are the most recent examples: https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/11/14/bits-pieces/ plus https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/11/28/odds-ends/ and https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/12/12/this-that/

During this year we also added new social media platformsto our list – Instagram & Youtube. Here is our full social media presence:

http://Twitter.com/friendsofpakati  http://Facebook.com/Friends-of-pakati  http://Instagram.com/friendsofpakati  http://Youtube.com/friendsofpakati

In addition to the stories, we have added more pages to this website, most recently this one: https://friendsofpakati.com/our-merchandise-satisfied-customers/ Others are updated regularly, such as these two pages: https://friendsofpakati.com/income-expnditure-monthly-information/ and https://friendsofpakati.com/pcs-to-pakati-check-our-progress/

Our main aim at the start, 3 years ago, was to get some computers to the two Pakati schools. This remains the principal aim, along with others, as can be seen in our Vision page https://friendsofpakati.com/2020-vision-friends-of-pakati-the-project-continues/ A blog will be released to go through our finances, and our plans for 2022

If you can help in any way, please contact us by email friendsofpakati@gmail.com If you can donate, large or small, then please use http://Paypal.me/friendsofpakati

…..plus a couple of other things..

This week’s NGO News Digest has been kind enough to highlight our efforts, with a front page spread and major article following an interview by the Editor Mr Evans Dakwa. Thank you Evans!

It is an honour to be recognised for what Friends of Pakati are doing and planning to do for the two Pakati schools, and hopefully the community & other nearby schools. Below is the article in full, with a couple of corrections where relevant.

Here is each column in close up with any corrections below:

Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) rather than VIS

During the year 2022, rather than at the beginning.

Debbie Chadbon, rather than Chaddon.

 

We look forward to being able to back up this story with actions in the coming year!

Our future plans are being formulated at present, but developing closer working relationships with VaTonatsa Foundation, and with fellow members of the Consortium of Zimbabwe Charities, will definitely help us to meet our vision https://friendsofpakati.com/2020-vision-friends-of-pakati-the-project-continues/

We are looking to raise more money towards that vision, and expanding sales of our merchandise will contribute to that, as well as other fundraising activities. We are also looking for other donors, large or small, to allow us to expand our reach beyond Pakati schools.

Our next blog, due on 26th December, will be a review of the year 2021 for Friends of Pakati. I can tell you there is a lot in it!

Last, but not least, let me say a huge ‘Makorokoto/Congratulations’ to former Pakati student and occasional contributor to this blog, the now DOCTOR Reverend Aggie Fombo Maravanyika of Mutare, seen here above with her family, having received her Doctorate recently, and looking relaxed but happy below!

“We have a Masters and Doctor of Theology in the house…Dr Rev Aggie”

This week we have another collection of things to tell you about & show you what has been going on… all somehow related to Pakati schools and Friends of Pakati. I hope you enjoy what we produce, and that you will spread the word to help us help the schools and local community there. Read on…

This photo was taken just a few days ago at Pakati Secondary school, by one of our folowers who is a former student and local resident, Jerry ‘Jedza’ Chavura. It was an unusually cloudy day during what are the hot summer months in Zimbabwe. As previously mentioned, chools across the country are to close on 17th December, and re-open on 4th January for the new school year there.

Last weekend saw us blog about the Primary school – https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/12/05/pakati-primary-exam-time-other-news/ – and mentioned about problems with the power supply at the Secondary which are still to be resolved. We also showed wind damage to part of Mapanga Primary school in the same area. It hasn’t stopped the school from carrying on with classes, as seen here courtesy of their Head, Mrs Maenzanise:

We ran a bonus blig on Tuesday last week, celebrating the successful event held in Harare the Friday before – see https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/12/07/consortium-event-a-great-sucess/  – and we were not the only ones to recognise the importance of the event.

The NGO News Digest Newsletter in Zimbabwe also published a review, and three members of the Consortium – TeamCaro Foundation, VaTonatsa Foundation, and Friends of Pakati – were all quoted in their article ‘PVOs NOT AN ESCAPE ROUTE FROM UNEMPLOYMENT’ (PVO – Private Voluntary Organisation – equivalent of registered local charities in Zimbabwe)

Here is the Author’s contribution:

Other Consortium members are also involved in actvities, below are the details of those I am aware of.

Firstly, the Zoe CTT…a youth-supporting event coming up soon:

Registration already in progress and last day of payment is 17 December for logistics purposes

Secondly, Thabani Patience Manjenjenje Gambiza of the TPMFoundation and Vari Mayez of VaTonatsa Foundation were seen together recentky…

Thabani reported “Currently with Varaidzo at Zimbabwe Small Holders Organic Forum Campaign to End Violence against Women and Girls @SOS Training Centre, Waterfalls Harare.”

Also at the event were another Consortium member organisation – “Takudzwanashe Sprout Women Empowerment Trust Representative presenting and standing in for Caroline Mutimbanyoka”

Not to be left out, the TeamCaro Foundation have been spreading some Christmas cheer as they expand their support work here in the UK too:

‘This was The TeamCaro Foundation today. This is a Hospice we will be working with and they are as excited as we are so that’s a good start. Well done team👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾”

One of the members of the Consortium not previously mentioned here are the Rebirth Correctional Services Trust:

“We are a registered Trust that exists for the purposes of rehabilitation of inmates and successful re-entry of ex-inmates(prisoners) into society.

We focus on empowering inmates spiritually and physically.
With a strong focus on children in prison with their mothers.

3 main thrusts.

🖊️ Education
🖊️Health and wellness
🖊️ Family Cohesion.

We are pleased to be part of this great move to transform people’s lives.

We hope and pray to be learning a lot from this networking.

Blessings.”

Important to add that their vital support extends to the families of those in prison.

_________________________________________________

Thank you for reading – please pass on to your contacts!

To donate please use http://Paypal.me/friendsofpakati

To contact please use friendsofpakati@gmail.com

Last Friday, 3rd December, several members of the Consortium of Zimbabwe Charities attended an event based in Harare and/or by Zoom.

It was suggested on the Consortium’s WhatsApp group chat, and eagerly taken up by Vari Mayez of VaTonatsa Foundation. A HUGE THANK YOU & WELL DONE!!! to Vari for all the hard work she did in preparing and presenting this event👏👏👏

Friends of Pakati were delighted to support the event, and spread the word across our social media platforms accordingly. As our banner was also on the poster above, I decided to send a brief pre-recorded message of encouragement to the participants via Vari. I had work commitments so was unable to attend via Zoom unfortunately. See below what they would have heard had it not been for technical problems on the day, which also affected Zoom participants:

Below is a summary of the event, with reactions from participants, starting with the program for the event:

Opening prayers were conducted by Pastor Rego. following opening remarks by the moderator, Thabani Patience Manjenjenje Gambiza.

The event was closeded by Mr Fungai Gwiriri of the ZOE Trust, a member of the Consortium based in Zimbabwe. Here he is giving the ‘thank you’ speech for the pesenters and to the participants:

The first speaker on the programme, though the second to actually speak, was Mrs Spiwe Chakawa, a widely-respected practitioner and advocate for development in Zimbabwe, particularly for children, youth and women. She holds two Development related degrees from two Universities in Zimbabwe.

She has contributed to numerous national programmes for children, serves on several boards, hss mentored non-profit start ups, and is currently the Executive Director for the Chiedza Child Care Centre since 2013.

In addition, Spiwe is Chairperson of the PVO Board in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Development. All of which made her MORE than qualified to present her topic, PVO Registration – What You Need To Know! Here she is in full flow!

Video courtesy of Fungai from Zoe CTT

She gave very good infirmation about PVO’s in Zimbabwe, how to register, what the legal requirements are, how to present your case. A topic very appropriate to many of the participants judging by the positive feedback received.

Vari Mayez seen absorbed by the presentations she had organised on behalf of the Consortium of Zimbabwe Charities. Photo coutesy of Fungai from Zoe CTT

The second speaker due on the programme was Mr Taurai Kativu, though he actually spoke first. He is a Lawyer of 6 years experience, with 5 years in private practice. He has done a secondment at an International NGO. He is the holder of a Law Degree and Bachelor of Social Science Degree.

Taurai talked about registration, administration of NGOs, and proposed amendments to the PVO Act. See below as he gives his presentation to the participants:

The third speaker on the day was Mr Kudzai Midzi.

Kudzai is passionate about contributing to the transformation of societies through improving the financial management and the governance capacity of organisations, as well as giving back in whatever ways he can. He is currently the Managing Consultant of KFM Consultants and shared his advice on how NGO’s can become financially sustainable.

Kudzai gave his presentation online. Below are the first 2 slides of his presentation:

His presentation definitely resonates with me having seen the slides. He expanded in more detail on each slide, providing very valuable information, ideas and guidance to the participants in what is a very important aspect of such organisations – financial sustainability. Greatly appreciated by all those present. Here they are enjoying his presentation, clearly engaged with it:

I am going to include a few more photos taken at the event, and give my thanks to those who shared them & allowing me to use them on this blog.

There was some very good feedback, including here ftom a participant sent to the Consortium’s WhatsApp group chat:

“Morning all. Hey! It’s good to be here, I feel very honored to be on this platform.

I m one of the participants that attended the Masterclass. Wonderful experience that, and great eye-opener. Very insightful vision to come out with this process. Now it’s clearer, the fog is gone and there appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel. I had registered a PVO (that focuses on capacitating small holder farmers and environmental awareness), but I realise now that, even though I had, it was just trudging in utter darkness. I was humstrung and stuck. but now I think with the advent of this Development /Consortium I m getting re- focused, revitalised and rejuvenated. With such collaborations, I m completely and entirety positive we will make it.

Thanks for the vision, the sacrifices and the sharing. Looking forward to greater heights.”

All in all, it was a very successful event, well attended, well preoared & presented, and above all, well appreciated. Makorokoto/Well Done to all involved!👍

With my thanks to Pakati Primary Head Teacher Mr Mahachi, I can report on the Grade 7 exams being undertaken by students.

The reults from these will give the Secondary schools a good idea of the abilities of the students as they arrive into Form 1 in January. The vast majority of those currently sitting their Grade 7 exams at Pakati will go into Form 1 at the nearby Pakati Secondary school.

The students completed their exams for the day, then were allowed to relax before being allowed out & dismissed to go home.

Some of the students, mostly those who live close to or at the school, stayed around to help the teachers who had been invigilating the exams.

Mr Mahachi tells me that schools are due to close on 17th December, before re-opening on 4th January 2022.

Other news

In the same area, Mapanga Primary school have reported further problems…Head teacher Mrs Maenzanise tells me the following story:

“Our school assembly roof was blown off by a strong wind last Tuesday afternoon”

Pakati Secondary school is also reporting a problem – something similar to Mapanga’s woes seen here earlier this year – https://friendsofpakati.com/2021/04/06/the-plight-of-mapanga-primary-school-not-far-from-pakati/ This from Head Mr Chifaka yesterday:

“Hi Chris.On a sad note, our transformer went up in smoke yesterday, it’s no longer functional. I notified ZESA but they haven’t responded yet. We are busy roasting meats that were in fridges!🤣”

More on this to come soon.

One of the members of the recently-formed Consortium of Zimbabwe Charities, the Zoe Counselling Training Centre Trust, have offered to invite the next group of Prefects at both Pakati schools for some training early in the New Year:

“Hi Chris. I hope I find you well. As Zoe Counselling and Training Centre Trust we may want to offer joint prefects training and team building for Pakati Schools. So is it possible to help the schools raise a budget for 2 nights and 3 day Training away from the schools. It is our mandate to impart assertiveness and confidence in our pupils, and we want them to have an exposure which help them even when the go to colleges and universities. We wont charge for our own services but admin expenses only.”

I have put them in touch with the Heads of the two schools so it can be organised if possible. Costs may be an issue, but Friends of Pakati might be able to help in some way. More on this in future posts.

Latest news

The Consortium of Zimbabwe Charities had one of its Zimbabwe-based organisations, our partner VaTonatsa Foundation, running an event for PVOs & NGOs both in person and via Zoom. An bonus blog will be released when we have the full details from Vari Mayez of VaTonatsa.

Finally..

Debbie Chadbon, former teacher at Pakati Secindary & key supporter of Friends of Pakati, has bought some more merchandise – just posted out Saturday!

Let us know if you want any merchandise yourself – email friendsofpakati@gmail.com