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Fungai Lupande
Mashonaland Central Bureau
Having missed the global Miss Supranational pageant held in Poland last weekend, at which Zimbabwe was not represented, reigning queen Miss Supranational Zimbabwe Yollanda Elizabeth Chimbarami has launched the “Help a Child, Save a Nation” scholarship programme in Bindura.
The programme is aimed at keeping underprivileged children in school at a time when about 200 students in the province reportedly dropped out of school due to hunger during the second term this year.
Yollanda, who hails from Mukombachoto Village, Chief Bepura in Guruve, said charity begins at home.
Taking a leaf from President Mnangagwa’s mantra that a country is developed by its people, Yollanda said Mashonaland Central is built by its people.
The programme was started in 2014 when she was in high school.
“We didn’t have any source of income then and we would help those in need by washing their clothes or keeping them company. In 2019 when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, many children in the country dropped out of school,” she said.
“We then started a campaign to keep a million kids in school. We hope to keep as many children as possible in school because education is the cornerstone of any society.”
As the country journeys towards Vision 2030, Yollanda said it was important to achieve Sustainable Development Goal number four which talks about quality education.
An economist by profession, Yollanda is also an actress who featured in a couple of movies in Canada and the United States, some of which were featured on Amazon and Netflix.
She is doing voice-overs for “Super Strikers” in South Africa.
The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland Central, Christopher Magomo, said the initiative coincides with the commitment by the Government to empower marginalised communities and invest in the future of children.
He said education is a key that unlocks the door to a brighter future.
“This is a testimony of the power of individual initiatives in community service. Hailing from Mukombachoto village, Yollanda did not clinch the beauty title but also dedicated herself to uplifting the lives of rural children,” he said.
“Yollanda is also assisting with construction work at Nyanhuzi Primary Nyandoro Secondary Schools, demonstrating that when we channel passion and resources towards the betterment of communities, incredible things can be achieved.”
Minister Magomo applauded Yollanda for remembering where she came from and urged the beneficiaries to use the opportunity to improve themselves.
During the launch at Bindura Primary School, Benjamin Kokerai, a Grade 5 pupil at Belgonnie Primary School in Mazowe, expressed gratitude to the beauty queen for significantly improving his life.
“I am short of words to thank the beauty queen for positively impacting my life. Thank you for uplifting the lives of the girl and boy children who are disadvantaged but academically gifted. We promise you nothing but hard work. We will never let you down,” he said.
Ruth Nyandoro, another beneficiary, shared how her dreams had been shattered due to a lack of education.
She expressed her gratitude to Yollanda for providing her with the opportunity to pursue her dreams and shape her future, emphasising her commitment to diligent work in school.
“Now dreams of gratitude keep me awake. I am using this opportunity to work hard in school,” she said.
The Provincial Education Director, Mr Fidelis Taganda said about 200 learners dropped out of school during the second term due to the El Nino-induced drought this year.
He said the province has 893 schools and plans are afoot to increase the number of schools to 1 000.
Online Reporter