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Scot empowers youths, students

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Patony Musendo (34), a lawyer by profession, formed Student Connect Trust (Scot) because he had passion and desire to assist students to be wholesome people, well-developed and useful to the nation. The need among Zimbabwean students for leadership and life skills training coupled with character building motivated Musendo to start this trust. Scot was formally […]

Patony Musendo (34), a lawyer by profession, formed Student Connect Trust (Scot) because he had passion and desire to assist students to be wholesome people, well-developed and useful to the nation.

The need among Zimbabwean students for leadership and life skills training coupled with character building motivated Musendo to start this trust.

Scot was formally established in 2006. It has been in existence for five years as a coalition of dynamic individuals who are passionate about positively impacting on the youths of Zimbabwe.

Scot was established to assist in filling educational training gaps in Zimbabwe. It was founded especially for students in high schools and tertiary institutions. Musendo does this work because he is passionate about young people.

The trust grooms youths and offers life skills training as well as building character. Musendo has a group of people who assist him.

Last year, Scot dealt with 17 schools. Some of the schools and us organisations that have benefited are Kwenda and Mandedza high schools, Kutama College, St Augustines, St Davis Bonda, Harare Girls High, Waddilove, Roosevelt, Denmak College, Anglican Youth Fellowship (Dangamvura Mutare), Lifelong, Mufudzi Wakanaka Leadership, Nyashanu and many others.

From January to April 2011, the trust reached 1 567 students.

A teacher from Langham Girls High School, Nyambuya, confirmed the good work being done by Scot to improve youths at the school.

The trust provided the school with computers and has helped to have the school connected to the Internet.

Scot also donated books for A Level students at the school.

This has benefited the school children because they are now able to research on their own without the assistance of teachers. The donation has also made the students computer literate. The A Level pass rate has improved because students now have more books.

If it wasnt for Scot, life would still be difficult for the students, Nyambuya said.

Leadership skills training has helped students to be confident. Since the introduction of this training there has been a mutual relationship between those in leadership and the rest of the students has been forged.

Musa, a teacher from Mavhudzi High School, commended the good work being done by Scot. She said life skills empowered students to face many challenges and avoid certain vices.

They are taught on different issues affecting the society such as HIV/Aids. Leadership seminars for prefects are also held at schools. This boosts their confidence.

Mavhudzi High School has been working with Scot since 2008.

Choga from Kutama Mission confirmed the help they received from Scot.

The Trust has trained our prefects. The Scot leadership courses and follow-up programmes have groomed our prefects into better leaders. The trust also motivated our students to participate in academic and cultural activities offered at their schools, Choga said.

Nyamukungwa from St Augustines Mission School is very impressed by the work being done by Scot at the school.

Scot has taught the students the importance of discipline. Most of the student who participated in Scot programmes passed with flying colours and I believe they are doing well in life. Scot inculcated in them the importance of teamwork and diligence.

Some Sot graduates Patience Chari is currently studying at University of Johannesburg and she is in the leadership there in one of the programmes at school. Dr Farai Katiro is now working with Scripture Union of Colleges. Christable Tsoto was motivated to join the Trust. Liberty Mashezha also joined the Trust. Mr Chibwanya is now working for Zimbabwe National Council for the Welfare of Children.