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Mangaliso Kabulika
TYRONE HAVNAR (33), founder of ‘I Reach Out My Hand’ organisation, has launched the Great African Exposure Visit and Trust Fund (GAEVTF), to provide educational opportunities to underprivileged children in Zimbabwe and throughout the region.
The initiative aims to raise funds to support education for young people in rural areas and marginalised communities.
So far, more than 20 students have been assisted in Zimbabwe with fees, stationery and backpacks, while in Zambia, four communities were reached and 84 young people of school-going age were helped.
The next visit will be to South Africa next month.
“The primary objective is to raise financial revenue that will be utilised to support education for young children and youth in rural areas and marginalised communities,” he said.
Tyrone has managed to reach communities in Mutare, Makwiro in Chegutu, Norton, Gweru and Bulawayo.
“In Lufwanyama, Zambia, we reached a total of 84 young people of school-going age between 5-22 years.
“We reached four communities in Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe and Kalulushi.
“My next visit is to South Africa in October for 21 days.
“I will be in Rustenburg, Hartbeespoort and Pretoria before I go to Durban and Cape Town,” said Tyrone.
He said raising funds for this programme has been a colossal task.
“We are driven by our faith to keep serving our communities so, the lack of general financial support delayed the journey from commencing, but did not stop it.
“We encourage contributions from individuals, organisations and government agencies,” he said.
He said by the end of this journey, he would have incorporated at least 14 communities from seven African countries.
According to new data released by UNESCO, 98 million children and youths between the ages of six and 18 years are still out of school in sub-Saharan Africa.
Bongani Ndlovu
Mathew Masinge