Online Reporter
Business Reporter
ZB Financial Holdings (ZBFH) last week stepped up its community outreach initiatives by donating learning materials to St Charles primary and secondary schools in Sanyati, as part of efforts to support education in underserved rural communities.
The donation is part of the group’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, which focuses on uplifting communities through education support and social development initiatives.
Through the programme, the company donated novels and other books to schools and universities to enhance access to reading materials and improve the learning environment for students.
According to the institution, providing adequate educational resources plays a key role in building a strong foundation for national development.
St Charles Primary School enrols about 400 learners, while St Charles Secondary School has 349 learners, who will benefit from the learning material extended by ZBFH.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, ZBFH brand specialist Ms Gladys Mubaiwa said the financial institution believes its responsibility extends beyond banking services to improving the social and educational well-being of the communities it serves.
“ZB takes pride in taking part in community initiatives as this brings us closer to the communities we serve and gives us an opportunity to understand them better, which paves the way for better customer solutions. As a group, we believe in living our ethos of creating happiness and making a positive impact in people’s lives,” she said.
ZB Bank Sanyati branch manager Ms Rufaro Lugundiya said the initiative was motivated by the need to support schools found in remote areas that often receive limited aid due to accessibility challenges.
“The motivation behind these donations comes from the realisation that some schools are easily forgotten because they are located far away and are not easily accessible due to poor road networks,” said Ms Lugundiya.
She noted that rural learners often face multiple challenges, including limited learning resources, which can negatively affect their motivation and academic performance.
The donation is expected to enhance access to learning materials for schoolchildren while improving the overall learning environment in these schools.
St Charles Secondary School head Mr Innocent Tokwe said the institution had been struggling with limited learning resources and described the donation as timely.
“We are incredibly grateful for the wonderful donation of books by the ZBFH head office and the ZBFH branch here in Sanyati. We hope that our partnership will go a long way in fostering stronger relations.”
St Charles Primary School head Mr Brian Mudzengi said the support would significantly aid the institution, particularly as the community has been grappling with economic challenges brought about by recurring droughts.
“These donations will help us as a disadvantaged rural community. Over the past three years, we have experienced droughts and parents have had difficulties paying school fees. One of the major challenges has been the lack of learning materials, especially for the heritage-based curriculum, which is still relatively new and difficult to source,” said Mr Mudzengi.
Meanwhile, ZB Financial Holdings also donated learning materials, including books and a digital interactive electronic e-board, to the Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE) Kadoma Learning Centre in a move aimed at supporting digital transformation in tertiary institutions.
The donation, which includes learning materials and an interactive electronic board (e-board), is expected to strengthen teaching and learning while improving access to modern educational tools for students and lecturers at the institution. This signifies the group’s intensified CSR initiatives in the education sector.
The donation of such material is critical in digitalising tertiary learning in the modern age.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Ms Mubaiwa said the initiative is part of the group’s broader commitment to supporting communities and improving education standards across the country.
“We are proud to be associated with BUSE and proud that you have chosen us as your financial partner. At ZB Financial Holdings, one of our core values is to create happiness every single day within the communities that we bank, invest and insure in.”
Receiving the donation on behalf of the university, BUSE pro-vice chancellor Professor Christmas Denhere said the contribution would significantly strengthen the institution’s efforts to modernise teaching and learning systems.
“Today’s donation of books and an interactive board is a powerful investment in education. As a university, we are transforming our teaching and learning systems, and digitalisation is a key part of that transformation,” he said.
Tinaye Agere