SOUTH END (UK) — A British primary school is opening a library at a school in Esigodini, Matabeleland South, to give the children the education they need.
Report by Echo
The Deanes Secondary School has shipped over 5 000 books to Mzinyathini Secondary School, meaning the doors to the school’s library can finally open.
The 900 children at the school were set the challenge of each bringing in a book in a 1 000 Book Challenge, but instead brought in five times the amount of books.
Anne Twomey, events co-ordinator at the British school, said the response from the children had been extraordinary.
“They really took to it. Every single child played a part and they have all helped someone much less fortunate,” she said.
“It is inspirational. In the future, we want a partnership to develop that could see school trips to Zimbabwe and see how the library has grown over time.”
Mzinyathini Secondary School, which was founded in 1968, is situated 36km from its nearest city, Bulawayo and schools 500 pupils.
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However, its only funding is through capital grants by the government, meaning the empty library is totally devoid of books.
Twomey who has visited Africa several times before, said the idea started when she was speaking to her Zimbabwean colleague Sobantu Sibanda.
She said: “This could revolutionise the lives of the children at this school and lead to a strong partnership in the future. “The school is beside themselves with excitement.
“Many of the children haven’t seen a book before and now 5 000 books will be winging there way to them. I am thrilled we were able to help them in such a way.”
The staff and students have also sent over boxes of toys for Esigodini Hospital next to the school.
The children’s hospital, which is close to Bulawayo, has no toys for the children to play with or take away.
The educational books and toys were sent to Tilbury port yesterday where they will make their three week journey to Namibia before being driven by truck to the school.
Books sent over include old GCSE English and Maths books, poetry and fiction. They also sent old televisions, DVD players and DVDs that were unused.
