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Professor Mavhima

Herald Correspondent
Scores of people in Mhondoro are set to benefit from a memorial library that was built by a Scotland-based Zimbabwean woman at Chikowore Primary School, a Government official has said.

Mrs Wilma Sweeney, built the library in memory of her late mother Grace Mutemasango, an upholder of girls’ education during her lifetime in the area.

Mrs Sweeney also donated over 2 000 books to the school through the aid of Zimbabwe Rural Schools Library Trust.

Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Professor Paul Mavhima said this on Saturday in a speech read on his behalf by Acting District Schools Inspector for Chegutu Mr Emmanuel Kudyarawanza during the commissioning of the Grace Mutemasango Memorial Library at Chikowore Primary School, Mhondoro.

“The local community including all people known to her (Mrs Sweeney’s) mother now late Gogo Grace Mutemasango in Denya Village where the school was built are entitled to benefit,” said Prof Mavhima.

“Do not look at your age, even if you are in 50s or above you are free to come and join, no one is restricted. She (Mrs Sweeney) is also supporting the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education which is now embarking on Early Reading Initiative to catch up the young so that they can read early.”

Prof Mavhima said that the ministry was embarking on Performance Lag Address Programme to support children lagging behind.

“Thank you Mrs Sweeney for your vision and all these programmes and initiatives are to build a better Zimbabweans who suit both nationally and internationally.

“The Zimbabwe Rural Schools Library Trust, we would like to greatly honour you for remembering rural schools of which most of these schools are marginalised.

“With an enrolment of 739 pupils, and staff compliment of 19 teachers and four ancillary staff members, this shows that it is one of the biggest schools in the district,” said Prof Mavhima.

In an interview, Mrs Sweeney said she was touched by the plight of children back in her home area.

“After I left for Scotland, I came here for the unveiling of a tombstone to my late mother and was touched by the plight of some orphans and vulnerable children,” she said.

“On constructing this library, it was in memorial of my mother who raised us single-handedly while advocating for the education of a girl-child.

“I wanted somewhere to where we could remember her but also have children be able to use that legacy to carry on.

“Fortunately, I was able to get money to construct the library and source some books back in Scotland.”

The school headmaster, Mr Elliot Mazhambwe, was also thankful and encouraged Zimbabweans to plough back into their communities.