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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu – [email protected]
AN educational entrepreneur from Gwanda, Mrs Roseweeter Chimberengwa, has scooped the African Influencer Awards (AIFAs) 2024 Woman of the Year Award in recognition of her impact in serving the community.
Mrs Chimberengwa, who is the founder of Gwanda Christian School and the first-ever early childhood development facility in Gwanda Town — Barney and Friends Pre-School — has set the bar high by being the first entrepreneur from the mining town to gain such prestigious recognition.
The fourth edition of the African Influencer Awards was held in Bulawayo on Saturday and sought to honour the contribution of grassroots entrepreneurs to economic growth in Zimbabwe and across Africa while helping create a viable network for them.
Mrs Chimberengwa established her preschool in the mining town in 2010 and has graduated it to a primary school, which at the moment enrolls Grades One to Five learners. The facility also offers a variety of extracurricular activities including diverse sporting disciplines and music.
It took a lot of hard work to gain the trust of parents when she started the project.
“After moving to Gwanda, I wanted to send my son to pre-school but there wasn’t any. I then came up with an idea to start a preschool to address that gap,” she said.
“When I opened Barney and Friends Pre-School, there was a lot of demand for places. After some time more pre-schools were established in Gwanda and this caused some parents to transfer their children.
“Some wanted to try something new, others were considering proximity, among other reasons. I told myself that no matter the situation I had to give my clientele quality service.”
Mrs Chimberengwa said she has always endeavoured to ensure her institution lays a solid foundation for the development of learners. Hence their journey with the children does not end when they graduate to another level, but they also make a follow-up with the school they are annexed, to see how learners are developing.
Mrs Chimberengwa said she established a primary school after realising that her contribution to the education sector would not be complete if they only catered for pre-school. She said Gwanda Christian School opened its doors to learners in January last year with 18 children in Grade One and Grade Two classes.
Mrs Chimberengwa said the response from parents was overwhelming, with many begging her to introduce more classes. By the end of last year, the school had Grade One to Four pupils and now has an enrolment of 120 pupils.
“We hold events as a school where we invite parents and engage them. These events serve as a platform for us to showcase what the learners are being taught and to ensure that parents play a part in their children’s learning process because when away from school, children will be with their parents and guardians,” she said.
“We have an upcoming concert where children will be showcasing their talent through dance, choral music, poems, marimba, among others. We also have our annual activities such as sports, spelling B, reading, public speaking and mental math challenge, among other events.
“In these events, parents also participate. We also hold events for parents such as Father’s Day braai and girls and Mother’s high tea. There is a need for us to offer a support system for parents and guardians as we need children to come from sound homes,” she said.
Mrs Chimberengwa said they strive to develop learners holistically while at the same time bringing parents on board to play their role in the development of children.
She said her passion and love for children have driven her to do her level best in grooming children under the education banner.
Mrs Chimberengwa said winning the African Influencer 2024 Woman of the Year Award has rejuvenated her. She said platforms like these give equal opportunities to entrepreneurs despite geographic location.
“I’m glad that we are being recognised as entrepreneurs from small towns and we are being given a platform to market ourselves. There is a lot of potential in Gwanda and all we need is a platform,” she said.
“I’m glad that within the available space that we have, we are doing the most. I’m grateful for this award and I would like to thank the organisers for this opportunity.
“I would also like to thank my family, which has been very supportive throughout my journey. My husband has been my pillar of strength and source of encouragement,” she said. — @DubeMatutu
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