Vusumuzi Dube
Faith Ndlovu and Yolanda Mlilo, Sunday News Reporters
A LOCAL organisation on Tuesday donated a consignment of computers and solar panels to Robert Sinyoka Primary School, in the outskirts of Bulawayo, as part of efforts to bridge the digital gap in the community.
Determined Resilient Empowered AIDS -free Mentored and Safe (DREAMS) made the donation after identifying challenges that are faced by learners at the school with the help of the community through the organisation; Community School Education Partnership (COSEPA ).
The donation included 22 computers and 10 solar panels.
The school head, Mrs Sanelisiwe Sibanda revealed that besides the computers and solar panels donation, the organisation had also bought a new pump and cables for their borehole which had been malfunctioning for some time.
“DREAMS bought us more than 22 desktops and we are hoping to buy 18 more to make them 40 so that each learner per class will have access to the desktop,” she said .
“This school has got 805 learners, approximately 100 are from better-off families, the rest are from child-headed, single-headed or foster families,” added Mrs Sibanda.
The school head revealed that only 97 learners have paid fees and as a school, they are very grateful to DREAMS for helping them function although the majority of the learners have not managed to settle the fees.
Bulawayo’s ward 17 councillor, Sikhululekile Moyo commended the efforts being made by the organisation in empowering the school.
“We are currently facing climate change challenges and the school now has a borehole, we cannot complain about water anymore.
“Further it is encouraging to note that a peri-urban school now has computers which will mean learners will be able to access the internet since we are living in the digital era,” she said.
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