Chinese community entrenching right to education f...

Chinese community entrenching right to education for vulnerable Zim kids

Patience Muchemwa

Senior Reporter

The caregivers at Nhakayevana Community Organisation Centre in Goromonzi sighed in relief when on of their biggest challenges was wiped away just like that.

Fees for the kids under their care will be paid up too tertiary level and the kids who thrive ware assured of employment in a local company.

“These children are the light of tomorrow, and education is the key to brightening their future,” said Richmark managing director, Mrs Diana Gao when she made the announcement.

Richmark in the mining contractor for Prospect Lithium in Goromonzi. Ms Gao and other Chinese business women had made a visit to Nhakayevana and another centre during the winter season to bring some warmth in the form of blankets, food and solar products.

Kudakwashe Mudyiwa, chairman of Nhakayevana said Richmark’s support and that of other Chinese well-wishers is a game changer for the organization that currently cares for 38 children with no grant in place.

Ruvimbo Takadii, an assistant at Nhakayevana, said that the support from companies like Richmark will assist the centre to embark on self-sustaining initiatives.

Enabling disadvantaged children to access education has become a vocation for the Chinese community in Zimbabwe.

The Government of China, through the Embassy, built 17 schools across the country including the flagship Friendship School in Hatcliffe.

The government has also sent hundreds of Zimbabwean students to Chinese Universities on fully sponsored tickets to study in various areas, thus strengthening Zimbabwe’s skills base.

Like Richmark, other Chinese corporates operating in the country have also played their part in supporting education, especially the big miners.

Prospect Lithium has invested approximately $220,000 to improve educational facilities in local communities, donating 5,500 textbooks, 400 desks and chairs, and constructing classrooms and teacher apartments.

After noticing the dilapidated state of the classrooms at the local primary school, Kamativi Mining Company executives launched an intensive renovation effort, upgrading the school.

"We appreciate the selfless assistance by Kamativi Mining Company. Our classrooms have been transformed and our pupils can now learn in comfort and with peace of mind. This gesture by KMC does not only enhance the quality of our education, but also stimulates pupils’ enthusiasm for learning,” said the school head at the handover ceremony.

Sinomine operating Bikita Minerals, another major player, is building new classrooms at Mara Primary School in Masvingo North.

They also assisted with staff dormitory for the primary school at a total cost of around US$128,000.

In addition the mining company has a dedicated fund of over US$11,000 a year to help cover utilities, and school activities.

Southern Mining Company has donated over US$500,000 to establish a community library in Hwange, which can accommodate around 120 people.

The library features both traditional and digital learning spaces, including eight computers and other electronic devices to support a modern educational experience.

Even before starting operations at its Sabi Star Lithium Mine in Buhera. Max Mind reached out to the community to find out how they could work together to improve general welfare. And the very first project was construction at a local school.

There are many other examples of Chinese CSR investment in education like in Mahusekwa, just off the highway to Masvingo where there is a school built by a Chinese tobacco company.

The China Zimbabwe Exchange Centre, a trust organisation, is dedicated to sourcing money from Chinese enterprises to award scholarships to hundreds of kids at different levels including basic education and tertiary education locally and in China.

Through these initiatives, Chinese companies are improving the physical infrastructure of schools and also fostering a brighter future for Zimbabwean children by ensuring they have access to quality education and resources.

Diverse Chinese individuals are also heavily invested in supporting education for disadvantaged kids in Zimbabwe.

A group of women who call themselves Chinese Loving Moms are now known as angels of mercy in carious areas.

They helped found the Hosanna Love in Africa Children's Home in Hatcliffe in 2016 where they built an orphanage and a primary school.

The women reached out to compatriots to help fund the infrastructure at the home and one of the responders was a Chinese worker committed a percentage of his monthly salary to the home.

The Loving Moms have supported numerous homes and sent many kids to school.

Through the Embassy, corporates and individuals, the Chinese community in Zimbabwe is now one of the biggest pillars supporting access to education for the most vulnerable children.