Adventists support local school

Mukudzei Chingwere-Herald Reporter

A BATCH of 330 solar lanterns has been donated to Chidyamugwamu Secondary School in Nyaminyami, Kariba, by Panasonic Holdings Corporation through the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA).

ADRA, the official humanitarian arm of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, received the support from Panasonic Holdings Corporation under its “Light up the Future” project. The aim is to ensure schoolchildren have solar lighting.

Since 2020, ADRA has built 30 classroom blocks, six teachers’ cottages, three administration blocks and 12 latrine blocks in 17 primary and secondary schools in the two districts.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, ADRA Zimbabwe programmes director Mr Hardlife Takada implored students to shun vices like drug and substance abuse and focus on their education.

“There is nothing as fulfilling as seeing children doing well in school,” said Mr Takada. “All these children have their own skills and they need to be nurtured. I am appealing to you parents to allow learners who are of school-going age to go to school. Let us give our children a chance to live by allowing them to go to school.

“Also, to you learners please make the most of the opportunity you are getting and do your best at school. Let us not be fooled by things like drugs, there is no future there. The Government of Zimbabwe has consistently called for an end to drug abuse and we are in support of that, we want to build a good future for our children,” said Mr Takada. 

ADRA Japan project manager Mr Koji Ueda reiterated their commitment to continue supporting education.

“This school, Chidyamugwamu, is the first to get this donation of lights,” said Mr Ueda addressing stakeholders at the school.

“For you parents, these lights can be used at home but mainly they should be used for education purposes. That is why Panasonic says ‘Light up the Future’. We want learners to benefit and we will continue supporting the provision of education,” said Mr Ueda.

Form One learners Mopis Madziva, Owen Muchabaiwa and Shamaine Madzikanda were all excited, saying this will be a major boost to their learning.