MIDWEEK REPORTER
MASVINGO RURAL-NATIONAL Movement of Catholic Students in conjunction with Roundtable Iniative recently gifted Shumbayaonda Primary School in rural Masvingo with 400 stationery packs.
The stationery packs consisted of a ruler, pen, plastic and khaki covers and a pencil among others.
The donation at Shumbayaonda Primary School in Mapanzure was spearheaded by Charles Matsikidze who is the leader of NMCS and Roundtable Initiative which started in 2022 to assist less privileged in society especially learners in rural areas.
The donations were punctuated by a short musical where the young learners were encouraged to stay away from drugs and substance abuse and the dangers of engaging in the habit.
A delegation of 22 Round Table Initiative and NMCS members were in attendance at Shumbayaonda including Dorothy Muteke and Matsikidze where the team also paid fees for six pupils at the school.
NMCS membership is open to anyone anywhere in the country according to Matsikidze.
“We have permanent members who affiliate and pay subscriptions then we have Ordinary members who participate but do not pay subs.
The difference is permanent members volunteer to commit for a certain cause.
“We also operate an online support group as well as physical activities.
“We are not exclusively a Catholic grouping, but we are Christian dominated, though we had some Moslem members who supported our recent stationery packs drive,” said Matsikidze.
He also said they spent the whole day at Shumbayaonda Primary engaging in other extra mural activities for the pupils.
“The delivery of these essential supplies was not merely an act of charity but a heartfelt commitment to empowering the younger generation. During the event, members engaged with the students, emphasizing the importance of education as a fundamental right. The need for proper stationery was highlighted, with many students expressing that the lack of materials significantly hinders their learning capacity. Additionally, some students shared their struggles including lack of school uniforms, further underscoring the challenges faced by the community.
“Members conducted a campaign on drug and substance abuse, urging students to stay away from harmful substances and make healthy choices. This was part of a broader effort to foster a safe and supportive environment for the children. Furthermore, participants were equipped with knowledge about careers and AI.
“The day’s activities included breakout sessions where male and female students were grouped separately to discuss various challenges they face. This approach facilitated open dialogue and allowed the children to express their concerns in a comfortable setting. The overwhelming feedback from the students highlighted the critical need for educational resources and support.
“We also managed to erect a signpost at Shumbayaonda and special thanks are extended to all those who contributed to the stationery drive in various ways, making this initiative possible,” he concluded.
