KAROI — A group of 145 orphans from Magunje in Hurungwe district, has embarked on a grueling 235 kilometre walk to Harare to raise money for school fees and subsistence. Report by Own Correspondent
The walk, organised by the Hanukah Christian Group for Orphans, began on Monday when the participants left Magunje. By yesterday, the group was in Banket having covered some 135km. They are expected in Harare on Friday.
Hanukah director Lloyd Mapfumo was optimistic the long walk would stir a sense of compassion from the corporate world and individuals and donate towards the education of the children, mostly orphaned by the Aids pandemic.
“We are appealing to the business community and individuals to assist us in our cause to ensure that these orphaned and vulnerable children access education and get decent livelihoods.
“Our target is to raise $35 000 and we hope to channel it towards paying tuition fees for the pupils, who are all at primary school level.
“The cash would also be used to set up a horticultural project to sustain the initiative so that it does not rely on donations in future,” Mapfumo said.
In Zimbabwe, many orphans are reportedly out of school due to failure by their surviving guardians, mostly the elderly, to pay for their tuition fees.
The government -initiated the Basic Education Assistance Module meant to assist such children was struggling amid claims by Education minister David Coltart that 380 000 children needing assistance were unlikely to benefit due to lack of funds.
