Michelle Moyo
More than 200 learners at Trenance Primary School received stationery and sanitary pads in a donation aimed at easing the burden on families struggling to afford basic school supplies and helping girls stay in school during their menstrual periods.
The donation, made on Friday, included 800 exercise books, pens, pencils, rulers, and 100 sanitary pads.
Keotsephile Lerato Nare, 30, a donor based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, said the donation drive was her first and was inspired by the need to give back.
“Yes, this is my first time doing this kind of donation, and it is honestly very special to me. I have always believed that giving back doesn’t have to start with something big. Sometimes, it starts with simply seeing a need and doing something about it,” she said.
Nare said learners who received the support were identified with the help of her brother, Tinotenda Mudarikwa, Pastor Brian Machida, and the school.
“With the help of my brother Tino Mudarikwa, Pastor Brian Machida, and the school, we identified learners who genuinely needed the support. It was important that the process was handled with dignity so the children feel supported and reminded that their circumstances today do not determine what they can achieve tomorrow,” she said.
Nare said she hoped the donation would ease some of the pressure on parents and encourage the learners.
“More than anything, I hope this donation brings a little relief to the parents and gives the learners one less thing to worry about. If this donation can give the smallest relief, then I feel it has served its purpose. For the learners, I hope they walk away feeling encouraged and knowing that someone out there believes in them. This is my first time doing this, but I hope it won’t be the last,” she said.
Pastor Brian Machida, 28, one of the facilitators, said the initiative was intended to address some of the challenges faced by learners.
“Our impact is that we want to change lives by helping them with what they need most at school and reducing their challenges,” he said.
Machida said access to basic school supplies could help learners concentrate on their education.
“If learners have everything they need, they will definitely excel without any disturbances. It is easier for a child to learn when they have all the basics,” he said.
He said this was also his first time facilitating a donation and expressed hope that more charity work would follow.
“This is something we are starting, but we are looking forward to doing more charity work. I also encourage everyone to take part in giving, anything you have, especially in rural areas,” he said.
Mudarikwa, who facilitated the donation, said the gesture was intended to reduce the financial pressure on parents and guardians.
“This is to lessen the burden on parents. We don’t want girls missing school because of sanitary wear,” he said.
“We want all 200 pupils to have books and pens so they can learn properly,” he added.
Resta Sihwa, a senior teacher at Trenance Primary School, thanked the donors for the support.
“We are very grateful. We received 800 exercise books, pencils, pens, and 100 sanitary pads. The donation has helped a lot because most of our learners live in squatter areas. Some of their parents work in gardens and as domestic workers. Most of the time, they face challenges getting sanitary pads and stationery,” she said.
Sihwa said the donation would help learners access basic materials needed for their schoolwork and improve comfort for girls at school.
“This donation will go a long way in helping learners to write like others. It will also improve comfort at school. The girl child will now have confidence using pads because most of them did not have them and were using alternatives that are not recommended,” she said.
“We are very thankful that they identified and filled the gap. We were struggling as a school. We wish their work to be recognised, and we hope they continue doing this for others,” she added.
