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THE Zimbabwe Red Cross Society last Friday donated a public address system and musical instruments to Checheche High School. Red Cross brand ambassador, Alick Macheso, handed over the donation amid pomp and fun fare last week.
The donation to the school’s Red Cross club is a befitting recognition to efforts done by Mr Hazviperi Musandaka (37) to revive the club at the school with the blessing of the headmaster, Mr Charles Manditsvanga.
“I revived the Red Cross Club in 2013, but it was going to be all embracive. To that end, it has diversified activities. We deal with first aid, disaster management, health promotion and climate change adaptation,” said Mr Musandaka who is the club patron.
“We play traditional music using marimba and mbira, indeed, that is a replica of our tradition. Because we have been consistent ever since we started, a number of international visitors have come to see how we do it. For example, the Norwegian Red Cross accompanied the Zimbabwe office and were really impressed with what we are doing,’’ Mr Musandaka said.
The club is using the Internet to keep its stakeholders informed.
Chipinge District Education Officer, Mrs Chiedza Beta, thanked the Red Cross for training teachers in various courses related to disaster management.
“It is my humble gratitude to the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society for the splendid work it is doing in wards 16, 20 and 24 as it has trained a cumulative 42 teachers in disaster management. As a district, we are humbled that Checheche High School has been singled out to be a beneficiary of a wonderful gift in the form of the PA system and musical instruments. We expect behaviour change through drama, poetry and music.
“We should appreciate the fact that schools emanate from communities. The Checheche community makes Checheche High School. Let us put the donation to good use. We hope to see budding musicians from this school churning out music in the not-so-distant future,’’ she said.
The crowd was overjoyed when Macheso took to the podium.
He said the school was extremely privileged to have a PA system, but the community had to be partners in development as well. He castigated child abuse.
“Gone are the days when parents beat up their children who attempted to be musicians saying it was a low class profession. My grandmother used to discourage me from singing, but today she is enjoying the fruits of my music career. Today, I have set foot in many countries thanks to my music. Therefore, I urge the young generation to utilise their God-given talent. Please don’t abuse children,” he said.
Chipinge District Administrator, Mr Edgar Seenza, also thanked the Red Cross for the donation.
“As the chairperson of the district Civil Protection Unit, I can only say to the Red Cross family, keep it up. You have shown to be an all-weather friend to Checheche High School. I can only encourage the girls and boys here who gave a polished performance to continue to scale greater heights,” he said.
Meanwhile, 63 teachers from Nyanga will receive First Aid certificates from the Red Cross.
Funding for the training was sourced from Solon Foundation (Calben Trust) whose director, Mr Willie Dhandlala, has committed his organisation to partner the Red Cross and Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in equipping primary and secondary children with First Aid knowledge and skills. The first of equipping the teacher has been achieved and the schools have since acquired First Aid kits for use by the trained teachers.
Online Reporter