STUDENTS IN DREAM RURAL RETREAT

Leeroy Dile

SCORES of students from Makseth International School had the time of their lives in a dream rural retreat in Ngezi where they were taken through a rich cultural experience.

The activities were held at KwaTerry restaurant in Mhondoro-Ngezi, which has become a beautiful model of a fine restaurant stuck in a rural area.

The students were taken through a number of traditional activities, including designing using clay.

One of the teachers, identified only as Bako, highlighted the importance of the occasion.

“Most students from these urban schools lack cultural experience, it is through occasions like this wild safari adventure that they can experience what rural life is all about.

“The environment, which we found here, is a true taste of our Zimbabwean culture and it is what we have been looking for our kids to learn.

“People like Tunga and Terry have that cultural vibe based on what they do and it’s like the role played by Tunga in that famous drama.

“Terry owns a traditional restaurant, which is located deep in the rural areas, hence our choice for the place and the hosts.”

The students did a lot of rural activities like molding using clay soil and playing traditional games like pada, hwishu and raka raka.

They also enjoyed riding horse-drawn scotch carts and riding quad bikes.Tunga, whose real name is Takura Kachambwa, said:

“There is always a cultural gap between urban students and rural students and by doing something like this, the gap can be closed.

“The experience teaches the students a lot of things like teamwork and practicing patience and, at the same time, some of these games are physically challenging and help to make them fit.

“Some of the students were surprised to see our traditional bread (chimodho) and, during lunchtime, they were served with traditional dishes like sadza rezviyo, bush meat and road runner chicken.”

Terry said:

“I love kids and I have passion for them and I can dedicate every second of my time to teaching them everything rural, since I have the experience.

“Today, I feel proud and honored to host these kids from Mekseth and, of all the places they could visit and experience the cultural vibe, they chose KwaTerry.”