By Decide Nhendo
Following the commissioning of a US$10,000 solar-powered borehole for two Bikita schools, Tagona Secondary and Chitenderano Primary, the Nyahunda area community in Bikita District, funded by Delta Corporation, residents, including Bikita South constituency Ward 29 Councillor, have called on other corporates to come and help refurbish schools in the area.
Councillor Wilson Mapazire applauded the helping hand by Delta and said the deed should inspire others to come and repair roofs and other infrastructure at local schools that were affected by the heavy rains in November 2023, which left a trail of destruction in the Province.
Mapazire commended Delta for the timely intervention and appealed to Masvingo Province and the whole nation, stating that there were other schools in need of assistance as they struggle to raise enough resources.
“I want to thank Delta Corporation for the solarized borehole, the refurbishment done on the Chitenderano Primary head’s house, which had been leaking for almost 19 years, and the roofing of the Grade Four pupils’ block, which had its roof blown off late last year. However, Delta has done its part, and I appeal to Masvingo Province and Zimbabwe as a whole for help because most of the schools in Ward 29 were affected by rains but haven’t been attended to since last year,” said Mapazire.
He added that since then, a number of schools had lost learners who transferred to schools in other wards with better infrastructure.
Mapazire also noted that due to the aftereffects of the heavy rains in November, most primary schools in Ward 29 experienced a drop in student enrollment as parents transferred their children to neighboring wards with more favorable learning conditions.
“Primary schools like Turwi, Mujiji, and Chibvuure had blocks, rooftops, and toilets destroyed by rains, and as a result, this year, these schools have seen their enrollment drop by close to 50 percent due to infrastructure challenges,” he said.
A Ward 29, Nyahunda area resident, Tererai Nyararai, said other corporates should follow Delta’s example and assist schools like Tagona Secondary and Chitenderano Primary Schools.
“What Delta Corporation did at Tagona means learners now have access to clean water during this period when cholera poses a great threat to our lives. However, relevant government bodies, NGOs, and those willing must continue to assist these schools as we have others facing similar challenges with cholera and classroom destruction, which are in dire need of help,” said Nyararai.
Tsokota Abodia, a teacher at Tagona Secondary, a day school, said that since the heavy rains in November, they lost a boarding house meant for students from distant areas, and to date, the house remains unrepaired due to lack of funds.
“A ‘bush boarding’ house, used by students from distant areas, had its window panes and roof destroyed by heavy rains, meaning those who should be using the boarding house no longer have shelter and have to travel long distances to school,” said Abodia.
The solar-powered borehole is helping two schools provide safe drinking water, clean toilets, and engage in agricultural activities like gardening, which were difficult to practice when water had to be fetched from Mujiche River, one kilometer away from the schools.
Delta also allocated US$15,000 to refurbish Chitenderano Primary Headmaster Jefrey Matina’s house, three toilets at staff quarters, three squat hole toilets at the school, and the roofing of the Grade Four block, which was blown away by heavy rains in November, as well as painting the school.
Tagona Secondary School now has three taps installed, one near the toilets, one in the schoolyard, and one at the staff quarters.
