Story by Tamuka Charakupa
BENEFICIARIES of the Schools Feeding Programme have praised government for guaranteeing food and nutritional security among learners, amid the El Nino-induced drought.
The programme provides critical support to vulnerable learners, especially in rural communities, shielding them from malnutrition.
At Rafingora Primary School in Zvimba, the programme feeds over 1 000 pupils per day, with parents chipping in labour to complete the noble initiative.
“We did not get enough harvests last year due to the drought such that our children were attending classes on empty stomachs and this was affecting their concentration in class,” said a parent.
“We have since established a community garden where we are producing vegetables. As parents, we are also playing our part through cooking for our children. We appreciate what President Mnangagwa is doing for us ensuring that no place and no one is being left behind,” a parent added.
Local councillor Mr Chamunorwa Chipita also expressed gratitude to the government for rolling out the devolution policy which is propelling rural development.
He said, “Since the introduction of devolution funds we have managed to develop our local community through rehabilitation of boreholes, construction of classroom blocks etc. The school feeding programme is ensuring that our children are safe from the effects of drought. However, it is also important for schools to ensure they engage in productive projects to ensure self-sufficiency.”
Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution who is also Zvimba North legislator, Honourable Marian Chombo, who commissioned two solarised boreholes, an ECD play centre and a teachers’ shelter at the school, reiterated the government’s commitment to improving rural livelihoods.
“I have commissioned two solarised boreholes at this school and a teachers’ shelter. These projects were funded by the school on its own, but what is appealing to me here is the school feeding programme where the government, through the able leadership of President Mnangagwa, is ensuring that every child gets something to eat at school. We are going to fund the establishment of a school garden so that we complement this noble initiative,” she said.
Meanwhile, the need for a whole societal approach to safeguarding learners from the scourge of drug and substance abuse, prostitution and early marriages, was also brought to the fore.
