By Virginia Njovo
Christ’s Hope Children Trust, a recently established Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), has paid school fees and donated stationery for seven pupils from Zishumbe Primary, Nyazvidzi Secondary and Chikara Primary Schools.
The Trust Director Stephen Mandivengerei said the trust was founded by his late brother, Christopher who had a passion for helping children pursue their education having been inspired by his experiences.
“The challenges that Christopher faced in his life motivated him to assist children in need though he passed on before he could fulfill this mission. I have taken it upon myself to fulfil his mission.
“I am following his footsteps by providing educational support to a select group of children until they finish secondary school. If they get good grades, we will also fund their tertiary education,” said Stephen.
The organisation uses a unique selection process where learners are involved in identifying classmates who excel academically but were unable to pay their school fees.
At Zishumbe Primary, three girls were chosen, two in grade two and one in grade six. At Nyazvidzi Secondary, two form one girls were supported. At Chikara Primary, a boy and a girl in grade two received assistance.
Nyazvidzi Secondary School Development Committee (SDC) Chairperson Antony Kamwire thanked the trust for the aid and said the beneficiaries were in genuine need of help.
“These two girls were the right candidates since they come from less privileged backgrounds. One lives with her stepfather, and the other is a victim of the child marriage system linked to the Marange Positori sect,” said Kamwire.
He said that the latter girl had been forced into an arranged marriage, and she had to pretend to be mentally ill as a way to escape it.
“Recently, she threatened her parents, saying she would report them to the police if they insisted on the marriage, she has gone so far as faking mental illness to avoid being forced into marriage,” Kamwire added.
