FIVE orphaned students from different universities dotted across the country recently received each a state-of-the art laptop to use in their studies from a United Kingdom-based philanthropist Henry Chitsenga.
Jairos Saunyama
Billiat Mwatura (19) (LLB Law, University of Zimbabwe), Custon Nzvenga (19) (Business Studies, University of Zimbabwe), Nobbert Musarira (23) (Business Studies, Zimbabwe Open University), Bongani Mwanesa (20) (Peace and Governance, ZOU) and Tendai Mwandiyamba (Banking and Finance, Midlands State University) could not hold back tears of joy as they were presented with the laptops and other academic paraphernalia in the capital last week.
The students, who were all drawn from Manicaland Province, are also getting assistance in the form of fees from Such Hope, a non-governmental organisation until they finish their studies.
In an interview after the handover ceremony, the students expressed their gratitude and said that technology played a great role in their studies.
“I do not know how to express my joy, but all I can say is that I am now into the world of technology like others. It is now hard these days to conduct our studies without the aid of technology or Internet, and now that we have received laptops, the learning journey will be easy,” Mwandiyamba said.
Mwanesa echoed similar sentiments.
“I was having a torrid time especially when we were told to submit assignments on soft copy, but now that I am technologically-empowered, I am heading for greatness. I would love to thank Such Hope for their generosity,” she said.
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Chitsenga, who is the co-ordinator of Such Hope and is on a philanthropic mission to Zimbabwe, said he was touched when he learnt that the students were having problems in their studies due to lack of technological devices.
“Of all the children whom we assist in getting education, these five are the only ones who are at university level. So after paying their fees, I realised that they needed laptops or computers to aid them in their studies.
“They do not have to strain themselves and I sourced money to buy them these laptops.
“My philosophy is to leave this world a better place as I found it, and my donation means a lot to me as I know that these students at least are catered for.
“Some of these children have no parents at all, while others have single parents and it is my desire for them to prove their academic excellence at all costs.
“I raised the money to buy laptops through running a 10km marathon back in the United Kingdom,” he said.
Moreover, the students are given monthly allowances.
“We give them $3 per day for breakfast, lunch and supper or simply $90 per month. They were in arrears before and, therefore, they have been given $120 per month for the previous two months.
“This is not inclusive of their tuition fees per semester,” Chitsenga said.
