Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
ZHONGJIAN Investments (ZJI), a Hwange-based company, has donated school bags to learners at Ingagula Primary School in an initiative aimed at improving access to education and supporting vulnerable pupils.
The donation is part of a broader programme under which the company has distributed more than 3 000 school satchels to schools across Hwange District.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, ZhongJian Investments public relations manager Ms Charlotte Chipaya said the company was committed to giving back to the community through education support and empowerment initiatives.
“As a company, we feel we are one of the big organisations in the town of Hwange, so we have felt we also need to plough back into the community. We are focusing on students because we want learners to know about us and also to be happy with whatever contribution we make towards their education.”
Ms Chipaya said the initiative extends beyond the provision of school bags, highlighting the company’s commitment to supporting academically gifted but underprivileged learners.
“We also sponsor scholarships for less privileged learners who manage to get to A-Level but cannot proceed further because of finances. We have a programme where we assist at least 10 students per university semester,” she said.
She noted that the company had prioritised rural areas, where learners often face greater challenges in accessing basic school necessities.
“We felt that in rural areas that is where we find less privileged learners. During the rainy season some children carry books in their hands and when it rains their books get damaged, affecting their learning. That is why we decided to start with rural schools to motivate those learners.”
In addition to education support, ZhongJian Investments has invested in improving access to clean water by drilling boreholes in several rural communities around Hwange.
“We noticed that Hwange is a dry area and most villagers do not have access to clean and safe water, so we felt compelled to assist,” said Ms Chipaya.
The company’s safety, health, environment and quality manager Mr Kelvin Sithole said community development remains central to the company’s operations, with corporate social responsibility forming a key part of its mandate.
Ingagula Primary School head Mr Luka Mchimba welcomed the donation, describing it as a significant boost for learners and the wider community.
“These satchels will go a long way in assisting and motivating our learners. They will help learners carry their educational materials safely to and from school while also strengthening the relationship between the school, the community and the company,” he said.
The handover ceremony was attended by community leaders, School Development Committee (SDC) members and other stakeholders, who commended the company for its continued investment in education and community development.
Ingagula Primary School has an enrolment of 200 learners and seven teachers.
Ward 3 councillor Brian Chikumbo expressed appreciation for the gesture, noting that it was a rare intervention for the school.
“This donation means a lot for the school. It is the first donation of its kind in a very long time. All along, we have depended on other stakeholders for assistance, but we are happy that more companies are now coming on board to support our schools,” he said.
The initiative is aligned with Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which emphasise inclusive development, improved access to quality education and stronger partnerships between Government, communities and the private sector.
