Byo NGOs donate to Binga school
BINGA-A coalition of three non-governmental organizations based in Bulawayo has introduced new technology and donated essentials to pupils at Donga Primary School in Binga district, Matebeland North.
Ulwazi Technologies, Touch The World Foundation and Young People for Jesus Foundation jointly gave away a number of essential items that include stationery, sanitary wear, and sanitizers to the rural learners.
During the outreach, the organizations also carried out career guidance sessions tailored to encourage students to take up Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) based careers in future.
The children were also introduced to new technology gadgets in a bid to close the digital gap. They were taught how to use laptops, smartphones, internet and generators
Speaking on the sidelines of the outreach program YPJF President, Shylette Ngwenya, a medicine student at the University of Zimbabwe who hails from Binga said there is hope for the children to rise from poverty if they concentrate on their studies and attain good professional skills in future.
” I hope the children will be inspired by my academic achievements since I came from the same environment and background. Girls should not rush into marriage or seek jobs as maids once they come of age but should dream bigger,” she said.
Lack of development is conspicuous at the school premises. The school has mud grass-thatched class rooms and only one modern class room block consisting of only two classrooms.
The founder of Ulwazi Technologies Mthokozosi Moyo, who facilitated technology education and career guidance during the outreach said that tech education should be prioritised in remote schools given the digital divide gap.
“Children in Binga live in one of the remotest parts of the country and most of them do not get a chance to see or use a laptop or smartphone, yet there could be some of the most intelligent and innovative minds in their midst” he said.
According to Moyo, every child has a dream but most of their dreams are crushed by lack of opportunity.
“Ulwazi Technologies’ mission is to use technology to develop remote communities and we are prepared to groom the young minds into adopting new technology in future,” he added.
At the tail end of the outreach, the school Headmaster of Donga Primary expressed his gratitude towards the organisations’ kind gesture and assured them that the children are inspired especially by Ngwenya who is a former student in Binga, who prevailed against all odds, despite the numerous obstacles.
