Boost for new Uzumba boarding school

Herald Reporter

CONSTRUCTION of a second boarding school in Uzumba district of Mashonaland East Province has received a major boost after a local company donated an assortment of building materials worth nearly US$100 000 towards the project.

Energy firm, Power Giants (Pvt) Ltd, handed over the materials, which include an electricity transformer, 20 door frames, 20 000 bricks and cement as part of its corporate social responsibility programme.

The company also pledged to sink a borehole and provide internet connectivity when Champion International College opens its doors next January, becoming the second secondary school with boarding facilities in the district after the Government-owned Uzumba High School.

Champion College director Dr Tendesai Mushamba thanked the company for the intervention, saying it would go a long way in ensuring the success of the privately funded project.

“According to the 2022 census, Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe has a population of at least 124 226 people but there is only one boarding school in the area.

“In line with the Government’s pledge to leave no place and no one behind, we have found it prudent to invest in this project to ensure that children here have access to quality education.

“At the moment, boarding facilities in this area are only offered at Uzumba High School, which is owned by the Government, and we want to complement this by setting up another school,” said Dr Mushamba.

Power Giants chief executive officer Engineer Edzai Kachirekwa said the move was their way of giving back to communities, particularly those in need of critical social services.

“As a responsible corporate citizen, we will continue exploring ways of supporting communities in need of social services.

“Some areas still lack adequate schools, hospitals, telecommunications and roads and we should not only wait for the Government to provide everything,” said Eng Kachirekwa.

“We will continue exploring ways of helping communities which are in need of social services and we will support the Government in bringing development to all corners of the country,” said Eng Kachirekwa.