Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
40 disadvantaged children in Mashonaland Central province have received a boost after benefitting from the Help a Child Save a Nation scholarship programme, which will see their tuition and school fees being fully funded up to Advanced level.
The power of individual and community service was on display following the launch of the Help a Child Save a Nation scholarship fund in Bindura this Tuesday.
Help a Child Save a Nation Chairlady and supermodel, Yolanda Elizabeth Chimbarami, who hails from Guruve district, says the scholarship is her way of giving back to the community, hence identification of five children in each of the eight administrative districts of Mashonaland Central province to benefit from the scholarship.
“Our goal is to at least cater for a million kids. Our campaign is called a million kids to school, we don’t have much but as long as we have hands and legs, we can work hard, put in extra work, push those extra hours; we can definitely change our nation. As Our president says ‘nyika inovakwa nevana vayo’ we can start at home and eventually grow,” said Chimbarami.
The young beneficiaries of the scholarship were elated, promising to work hard at school.
“I am grateful to Yolanda for assisting me with this program that we help from Grade 5 to form 6.” said a student.
Another said, “This programme has greatly helped me and I promise to work hard at school.”
The scholarship programme received government support as it complements its efforts towards increasing access to education across the country.
“I pledge my unwavering support for the HASAN scholarship programme. This imitative aligns perfectly with our vision of equitable and inclusive development where no child is left behind as enunciated by President Mnangagwa,” said Mashonaland Central Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Christopher Magomo.
“Dropouts can be a result of a child failing to pay fees or failure to get adequate uniforms or having adequate stationery such that they will be feeling inferior,” said the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s representative Mr Fidelis Taganda.
Apart from the scholarships, the organisation is also financing construction projects at Nyanhunzi Primary and Nyandoro Secondary schools.
