Sidumisile Mabena
Obey Sibanda
Six schools in Luveve and Emakhandeni suburbs have started reaping the benefits of a poultry rearing project that is aimed at empowering educational institutions and educators.
Each schools received 250 chicks and stockfeed with Province and two districts receiving 500 chicks each last month in an initiative driven by the Brian Samuriwo Foundation.
On Saturday, the foundation visited the Bulawayo schools that benefited from its revolving fund, following a Teachers4ED Bulawayo chapter empowerment training workshop held at Hamilton High School last month.
During the visits, the foundation said the programme aims to strengthen local schools through practical skills and income-generating projects. It follows last year’s poultry rearing workshop, which targeted teachers and Bulawayo residents by equipping them with chicks and stock feed to support school-based poultry units.
In August last year, more than 250 residents, youths, and teachers from 12 local schools in Luveve and Emakhandeni suburbs gathered to learn poultry rearing. The initiative sought to turn ordinary classrooms into practical learning spaces by training participants on how to manage chicken projects.
The workshop provided hands-on training in poultry management, covering road runners, egg layers, and broilers—breeds the foundation said are central to a sustainable school-run venture.
After the training, the foundation donated chicks and feed to schools to start their chicken projects. With the first batch having been disbursed, broilers are now expected to be ready for harvesting, as the birds typically take about six weeks to reach maturity.
Emakhandeni High School deputy headmistress, Ms Estery Dewa, said the project has shifted learning from theory to real-life practical training. She added that the programme is also encouraging learners to develop entrepreneurial skills.
“The project, besides being an income-generating venture, has helped us teach practical lessons. We are going to develop students who are strong in entrepreneurial skills,” Ms Dewa said.
Teachers4ED representative and Matshayisikhova teacher, Mrs Sehlile Dube, said the skills gained will be applied not only in the classroom, but can also help educators improve their livelihoods through personal chicken-rearing initiatives.
“We will also use the acquired skills to start our own chicken-rearing projects at home. This project has shown us that it is doable,” Mrs Dube said.
Mrs Dube further said proceeds from the poultry project will be channelled to school needs, easing financial pressure affecting school operations. She said the programme offers a practical alternative to relying solely on handouts.
“The proceeds will be channelled to projects that need money. Instead of relying only on handouts, we will be able to meet some of our intended goals,” she added.
Proprietor of the Samuriwo Foundation, Mr Brian Samuriwo, said the initiative is driven by sustainability, with the long-term goal of ensuring each participating school runs a viable poultry enterprise within a year.
“I am very happy with what I have seen so far. The project is coming out well, and recipients are taking it seriously. I was afraid that in some schools we would only find stories instead of results, but this will motivate the foundation to keep channeling more funds to schools that are yet to benefit,” Mr Samuriwo said.
Online Reporter