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Opportunities Abound Trust which was successfully hosted for the first time in March 2012 at the Celebration Centre in Borrowdale, Harare.
The zwTeen Expo targets teenagers and brings together players from academic institutions, corporate organisations, civil organisations and Government institutions on an interactive platform to showcase their products and services to school administrators and other exhibitors.
Terence Phlint Razerera, one of the event organisers, said many organisations will be present to market their services to teenagers as well as providing career guidance.
This year’s event will be running under the theme “Entering the Realm of Entrepreneurship Development”.
The main aim of the event is to empower the youths to make informed decisions regarding their future.
The zwTeen Expo seeks to equip and inform teenagers on further education, scholarships, study skills, career opportunities, teenage health issues, sports/arts, legal rights, financial skills, community participation and teenage risk and safety issues.
“We have local colleges and universities, regional and international universities and their agencies as well as corporate organisations, civil organisations showcasing career opportunities as well as empowering teenagers since they are the leaders of tomorrow. Lots of issues will be dealt with from legal issues, health as well as academic issues.
“Concurrently, seminars will be held as an initiative to further inform and educate on the concepts of teen aspects.
Seasoned Speakers
“Several seasoned speakers will be conducting these seminars.
“The platform allows the teenagers to voice their concerns and get the answers they require. Teenagers should be armed with enough ammunition to tackle the immediate aspects of their lives, be it study, academic progress and career objectives allowing them to carry a positive attitude for the future challenges,” he said.
Razerera said the first event, which was hosted last year, was a success as well as the second one which was hosted in July in Mutare at the Queens Hall.
He said he was expecting a large turnout this year compared to last year.
“The students that attended the inaugural event last year had the privilege of viewing the stands of Monash University from South Africa, Joshua Nkomo Scholarship Fund, Childline Zimbabwe as well as EducationUSA among other exhibitors.
“The speakers at the event included Gary Thompson, Rebecca Mano (EducationUSA), Roland Mhasvi (JNSF), Brenda Bell (Brain Train) and Heather Bangwayo (Monash SA) among others.”
He added that the second event, which was hosted in Mutare, was even better than the first one with more than 20 exhibitors and over 700 students gracing the occasion.
“In Mutare, we had more than 20 exhibitors and more than 700 students who took part. Exhibitors included the British Council, Global Academy, IOM, Blackfordby Agricultural College and Worldwide Scholarships, among others.
“This year we are expecting more exhibitors including the ones we have worked with before, almost all them have confirmed their attendance,” he said.
Razerera said it was his wish the expo in future becomes a major event on the school calendar and ceases to draw schools from the locality, but rather countrywide.
“For this event we intend to host several schools in Chitungwiza and Harare. We encourage the schools to bring more of the A-Level and O-Level students, however, a few lower forms would be welcome to gain this knowledge early in their lives.
“As organisers we will also co-ordinate with other youth organisations and community groups to avail this opportunity to out of school youths and the disadvantaged teens.”
Students who attended last year’s event also expressed their excitement on attending this year’s event.
Takudzwa from Mazowe High School said: “Last year’s expo was quite an experience, it was very educative and beneficial.
“It made me make up my mind on what I want to become in future, so hopefully this year’s event will be helpful as well,” he said.
Razerera also highlighted that they were going to engage corporate organisations, Government institutions to partner the event.
“The zwTeen Chitungwiza Expo 2013 will be engaging the local corporate organisations and Government institutions to partner in this cause and make this event possible and valuable to the teenagers as well as a memorable one for Chitungwiza,” he said.
Online Reporter