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Sen Mahofa

George Maponga in Masvingo
President Mugabe has appointed a team to work on improving conditions at Copota School and Workshop for the Blind in Zimuto communal lands where nearly 350 visually impaired students are battling a severe water shortage, among an array of chal- lenges.

The team, led by Retired Brigadier- General Felix Muchemwa, has already visited the institution to have a first-hand appreciation of the magnitude of problems the school faces.

Copota School and Workshop for the Blind is owned by the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe, but of late the institution has been relying more on donations from well-wishers, with the church battling to adequately fund it.

Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Senator Shuvai Mahofa confirmed that a team delegated by President Mugabe had visited Copota School and Workshop for the Blind in the wake of severe challenges affecting it.

She said President Mugabe wanted the institution to continue assisting visually impaired students.

“President Mugabe appointed a team that has already visited Copota School and Workshop for the Blind to assess challenges on the ground. The team discovered that the institution faces severe water shortages and lack of toilets, among other issues,’’ she said.

“The team also discovered that learning materials and equipment for the visually impaired students were in short supply. There is need for new equipment because what they have is now ob- solete.”

Sen Mahofa appealed to well-wishers to chip in to help revive Copota School and Workshop for the Blind.

She said the cost of materials and equipment needed to normalise the situation was being worked out.

“While the team tasked by President Mugabe to establish what is required is still working out the figures, we have resolved as the Masvingo provincial leadership to work on improving the toilet system and drilling boreholes,’’ said Sen Mahofa.

President Mugabe has been assisting Copota School and Workshop for the Blind for many years.

A few years ago he assisted in the construction of a complex in Masvingo city where visually impaired students from the institution sell their handicrafts such as baskets and chairs.

The students currently walk long distances to fetch water from unprotected sources because boreholes at the institution are either not working or are failing to cope with demand.