Update on School
Equipment and Books to Zimbabwe
report by Les Lee,
Chairman of Dist 1260 International Committee
2 Aug 2001
As previously reported on the website the project started by a phone
call
from Jean and John Hawkins about School Equipment available for a local
school is still very much alive.
On 2nd August 2001, another 7 tonne lorry (the third) of furniture,
science equipment and books was taken to Gatwick Airport. The local
education authority provided transport and excellent support. The goods
will be flown to Zimbabwe courtesy of Zimbabwe Air when cargo space is
available. At the other end, a reliable personal friend of Lady Baker
receives and arranges distribution.
Lady Joy Baker, the Founder and Chief Organiser of Schoolaid, thanks Rotary
Again for the support for her projects with the village and rural
schools,
that some of the larger organisations tend to neglect.
As an example, I give below a copy of a message received
from one school that received part of the shipment sent out earlier and
reported in this site.
Whilst this organisation like all others will accept financial
contributions, they do need good quality school equipment and books.
If anyone would like to know more about Schoolaid please contact Les Lee
DISC1260
______________________________________________________________
Letter from Zimbabwe
16th June 2001
My name is Roxy Danckwerts, and I am the responsible authority for the
primary school on our farm. Danckwerts Primary School.
Today, we took possession of a huge number of items that you have
organised to be donated to us. I cannot
begin to tell you how excited we all are, and how great We have never received any help before for
our school, and your kindness is going an awfully long way to help us in our
endeavours to improve the school.
I went and collected the headmaster and some of his staff to come and
have
a look - they couldn't believe their eyes! I thank you so very much indeed
for this kindness and generosity.
I should like to let you know what we have received:
37 tables, 20stacking chairs, 3 wooden desks, and 2 shelving units…!
My husband started Danckwerts Primary School in 1996, primarily to help
the
children of the workers on our farm.
The school has grown so much and now
caters for over 600 children all from this area. We are located just
outside Harare, near the airport. We are registered with the Ministry of
Education, who provide 15 teachers.
It is a "C" grade school, with many
underprivileged children, including "aids orphans". The parents pay what they
can (less than the equivalent of PDS 1.00 per term!) and we, together
with
two other commercial farms in the area, subsidise the rest at a very
considerable expense.
We have seven classrooms, so have a "hotseating" system
whereby two classes use one classroom, either in the morning or the
afternoon. We have built a school hall,
which is also used for adult literacy classes and church
services. There are two sports
fields and all children have the
opportunity to learn some form of sport.
I have just completed the construction of a pre-school which caters for
about 70 children. I am also in
the process of constructing an
administration block and library.
This is due to be completed in about a
week or so. I had no money left
to furnish the building, so much of your
donation will be going straight into the library. It could not have come
at a better time!
If you are in agreement, I would like the exercise mats to go to the
preschool. The young children
need something to sit on instead of a
concrete floor when having meals or singing or whatever. These mats will
be ideal for the purpose.
Once again, on behalf of the whole school, I thank you most sincerely
for
you generous gifts and look forward to communicating with you in the
future.
Yours sincerely
Roxy Danckwerts.
Return to: