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Mashudu Mambo, Sunday News Reporter
BEITBRIDGE District Civil Protection Unit is appealing to companies and well-wishers to help in the rehabilitation of schools that were damaged by rains and winds early this month.
Although she could not divulge the amount of money needed, Beitbridge District Administrator Mrs Kiliboni Ndou-Mbedzi said they have come up with a list of the material needed.
“We have not yet received funds or help to do the assessment. We have since submitted budgets for awareness meetings and bill of quantities for awareness of damaged schools. So far Child Line promised something but they have not yet delivered.
“Save The Children has an allocation of $15 000 for rehabilitating two damaged schools and it also has a budget of $2 500 for awareness meetings and capacity building for district protection committee,” she said.
A report produced by the Civil Protection Unit revealed the need for Disaster Risk Reduction following the rains that unexpectedly hit the area.
“On 4 October 2017, Beitbridge District received heavy rains and also experienced heavy blowing winds.
“The rains continued into the weekend and left a trail of destruction and damage to infrastructure across the district.
“Chabeda Primary School situated in Ward 11 in Beitbridge West Constituency had its two classroom blocks and a staff cottage affected by the rainy storms on 9 October.
The Grades Two and Five classrooms had their roofs blown off and 81 window panes broken,” the report revealed.
Dumba Primary school situated in Ward 15 in Beitbridge East was also affected and one classroom was seriously damaged.
The third school that was damaged was Malibeng Primary. Its roof together with 32 window panes and a lot of stationery were destroyed.
“Children are currently learning under the trees and they have no stationery. No one has since come to help the affected schools,” the report noted.
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