adminMasvingo Correspondent
JOHN Tallach High School from Matabeleland North has won the 2012 National Blood Services of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) national award after its pupils donated 332 units of blood. The school has contributed immensely to the national blood bank, which has increased by seven percent.The collection of blood in the country increased from 75 949 units in 2011 to 81779 in 2012.
The school which has won the provincial award for the fourth year running won five desktop computers, a laptop and a printer, a dongle for Internet connectivity, T-shirts, two shields which the school will keep, courtesy of NetOne.
The school which was represented by its head, Mr Bonakele Ncube, was presented with the award during the World Blood Donor Day commemorations at Mutendi High School in Masvingo on Saturday.
Mutendi High School also won computers after its pupils donated 292 units between June 2012 and March 2013 ahead of other schools in the province.
Addressing delegates at the occasion former Minister of Health, Retired Brigadier-General Dr Felix Muchemwa praised the schools for supporting the nation by giving blood but underscored the need for adults to also contribute to the national blood bank.
“Youths continue to be the leading contributors to the national blood collection, contributing over 70 percent, 29 percent coming from adults yet adults consume 80 percent of the blood. 40 percent of this blood is consumed by mothers who experience complications during child birth, and need a transfusion to save lives,” said Retired Brig-Gen Muchemwa.
In an interview on the sidelines of the commemorations, Mr Ncube praised is pupils for fostering the culture of giving and said the school would keep on saving lives through donating blood.
“I am so much excited for winning this award. We are a Christian school and one of our ethos is giving. Jesus gave his life to us for free. We have fostered a culture of giving and donating blood to our pupils has become the norm. We want to keep on saving life because blood is life. “Blessed is the hand that gives than that receives and this has been our inspiration as a school,” he said.
NBSZ-Bulawayo public relations officer Mr Sifundo Ngwenya also praised John Tallach administration for educating their pupils on the importance of donating blood.
“The school head understands the essence of giving blood and he managed to sell the idea to the pupils. That shows that even the pupils understand that there is nothing more important than giving life to the nation. John Tallach is the best school both at provincial and national level in giving blood. I am really inspired by this school,” said Mr Ngwenya.
Online Reporter