UNICEF brings hope to Buhera children

By Elizabeth Kucherera

Shantel Madzinga (13) faced a daily battle that few could comprehend.

Living in Buhera district, Manicaland province, she was trapped in a cycle of severe deprivation of access to extra lessons during the night due to the distance from her home to the school, the absence of good lighting at the school, and also fear of the dark. The school is located 2km away.

Madzinga’s life was dominated by fear of how she would fare academically as it appeared all cards were not in her favour.

In an interview with this publication, she pointed out that in addition to the 2km daily walk to school, she had no access to lighting at home.

“We had one lamp which we shared with my mother. It was difficult for me to take away our family light for me to read even for only an hour. My mother has a toddler, so l would prefer to give her light for the benefit of our baby,” she said.

But all her worries are now a thing of the past, thanks to the United Nations Education Fund (UNICEF) solarisation project in collaboration with the government of Zimbabwe and funded by the United Kingdom International development (UKaid). Madzinga is now a top student from being just an average scholar through extra lessons at Ndyarima primary school in Buhera, which now boasts solar lighting.

“I started attending extra lessons at school in September 2023 when solarisation was introduced and my grades lifted from being an average student to a best student at the school.

“I am now able to study at night. The solarization project has really helped me,” said Madzinga

The school headmaster Mr Wilforce Bashukwa also appreciated the efforts of the government and its partners.

“Prior to the solarisation project Ndyarima primary school faced numerous challenges.The lack of electricity meant that students had to travel 45km to Murambinda growth-point to access photocopying and printing of past exam papers. This posed a significant burden on the students and their families,” said Mr Bashukwa.

However, with the introduction of solar power the school and society has experienced a remarkable turn-around.

“Before solarisation it was a nightmare for security officers to patrol during the night at school but now our school properties are now safe because of lights,” said Mr Jefta Pedzisai the SDC chairman.