Second chance education for orphans in Mbare

Dear friends and partners!

We are always grateful for your support which have seen children like John Dado* have a fresh hope in life. In this  update, we are bringing you the story of John Dado, a boy who is doing wonders in the formal school after having undergone learning through the out of school study group that you are supporting us to maintain. You will realise that the grammar may not be that good but we have decided not to edit the grammar so that you have the direct communication from John.

"I John Dado* joined Chiedza Child Care Centre in the year 2010 after I dropped out of school in the year 2007, when my father had lost his job and it was in that same year that my mother had passed on and life was very tough.

Later on, in the year 2010, I was informed by a caregiver in my area that Chiedza (Chiedza Child Care Center) was assisting orphaned and vulnerable children with an Out of School programme which  I approached the centre and joined. I was accepted at Chiedza and I was introduced to level one. In this level I was not comfortable at all because, I was learning with small children compared to my age and it was during this level that I felt that I had to be serious with what I was being taught because it pained me a lot to be in the same level with small children.

From level one, I was moved to level 3 after I had produced highest marks in class. This achievement gave me courage to continue working hard in my grades. At this time I was more than happy because of my performance, even though I used to met some difficult situations. Most of our learning materials would remain at the center which made it impossible for us to revise most of our work and we were also allowed to attend lessons for only three days per week which also affected me in achieving my actual goals. Fortunately, I did not took it for granted, I only focused on my target and this gave me more confidence in education.

Eventually I was transferred back to formal school where I am at the present moment and the whole centre is now even more impressed with the way I am performing in mys studies. When I was taken back to formal school for the second time, I was not comfortable because it had been a long time since I dropped out of school. I was introduced to a Grade 6 class at Gwinyai Primary according to my standard because we were given a test before we were introduced to any of the grades. What I like more in this class is that all of the pupils in this class were friendly regardless of where I came from or my background.  For my first term in this class, I did not perform well because of fear for the first time. But as time went on, I began to produce good grades and for that reason, pupils in my class began to neglect me but I did not turn back because I knew that I still have far to go. Finally, a long awaited time came when I wrote my Grade 7 (public) exams and produced execellent results, hence I was chosen to go to  Outward Bound in Chimanimani (retreat outing) for leadership course.

For my secondary school  I am now learning at George Start High School and I have been producing good grades since form one and I am currently in  Form 2"

This is all because of your generous donation. Thank you very much. More children like John still need your support to learn in the out of school study groups as well as reintegration in formal schools. We need money for school fees, stationery, furniture, texbooks, volunteer stipends and uniforms.  

Kindly look out for our new project coming soon to support more children like John to go back to school.

Thank you

John Dado*- not his real name

Links:

• website

Dear Partners and Friends,

We have been quiet for some time-something great was cooking!

We have been busy since January with the construction of a new classroom block. It is now completed; ready for use. Some of you would recall in 2013 when we were running the "Build a classroom block campaign" which was part of this project. Your efforts finally yielded the results. We took long to feedback since we were pulling the resources together but we had not forgotten to share with you the good news.

We are in the process of building 2 classrooms for our second chance education pupils. This year we have 103 children attending classes getting prepared for the formal education. These are children who would have dropped out of school due to poverty and other social challenges. We take them and assist through community based study group learning. When they are ready we send them to the formal school to join their peers. We will then provide educational support. For the planned 2 classrooms, one is already finished and the other one still under construction.

Esther * one of the pupils could not hide her joy " I never dreamt of learning in a proper classroom, I thought I would spent all my time here learning under a tree". The teachers, staff members, board members and parents are all excited about the project. Thank you a million times!

We still need your support for school fees, furniture for the classes, food for the children, uniforms and stipends for the volunteers. We are proud of your unwavering support over the years.

Thank you heartily,