Rehabilitating classrooms

Dear Friends,

School is a place where children can call home. They spend almost 70% of their time at there, learning different life skills for the future. The impact school has on children is so great, and cannot be overlooked. Children learn how the world operates and acquire knowledge and information that enlightens their young minds about the future. School is also a place where children learn to make relationships and various life decisions. In other words, school is another world separate from the homes they come from; a place where their dreams have the possibility of coming true.

On Wednesday the 7^th of September 2016, Team Nhaka together with a representative from a possible donor embarked on a field trip to Govera Primary School in Domboshava. Domboshava is a rural area situated in the Goromonzi District. Prior to this visit, another assessment to conduct Classroom and Playground Renovations had been carried out. This marked the 2^nd visit for the same purpose. The dusty roads and the African-designed homesteads welcomed us as we further drove towards the school. For those of us visiting the school for the very first time, great anticipation gripped us as we could only imagine what lay ahead. Upon arrival, I was greatly reminded of my father. He grew up in Govera and even attended the same primary school. Since it was founded in 1927, no renovations of any kind had been undertaken at the school. 8 decades later, this new generation of children have to call the same school their own, and adopt it as a second home. 

As we started assessing the entire school, my heart was deeply overwhelmed with sadness at the great dilapidation that has taken place over the past 89 years. 2classroom blocks had to be condemned by the local council authorities and the Ministry of Education, as they were a possible endangerment to the children’s safety. Harsh winds left some rooftops blown off, weak roof beams that are gradually being harvested by ant termites support the dilapidated rusty roofs; meaning when it rains children cannot conduct their lessons in these classes. Now that summer is here, it would mean the children are exposed to the sun throughout their learning slots, a situation that could expose them to excessive sun burns leading to serious skin damage and/or skin cancer. The structures that are considered to be in good condition have broken windows, and chipped floors. Bricks are wearing off from the corners of some blocks, leaving them extremely imbalanced. This situation could create a bigger threat to the children’s safety once the rainy season starts. However, because the number of children enrolled at the school requires more than just the 3classroom blocks that are currently functional; teachers have taken the risks and still conduct lessons in the condemned classroom blocks. Despite the current situation, children still attend school, neatly dressed and engage in the day-to-day school activities with positivity.

Every child has a right to a safe learning environment! Partner with us in order to make this a reality for children at this and many other schools in the District.

Until next time,

Roshnee Musonza
Media Intern