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Fungai Lupande Mash Central Bureau
Villagers in Ward 23 (Kandeya Village) in Mt Darwin have managed to complete the construction of a classroom block at the new Nyamwinyu Primary School, with the assistance of the District Development Fund (DDF), which will ease the critical shortage of primary schools in the area.

The school has no budget and the community mobilised stones, sand, bricks and builders, while DDF provided technical expertise and help.

Roofing of the first classroom block is almost complete and construction of a second block has started.

The villagers are optimist their children will use the two blocks next month.

Speaking during a media tour, DDF chief planning offer Mr Knowledge Murenje said they got involved after they were approached for assistance.

“The councillor Mr Shingirai Ruya approached DDF permanent secretary looking for funding. We agreed, but there was no budget.

“We started constructing the school in 2016 without a single cent. We engaged the community to provide locally available material,” said Mr Murenje.

“Class one builders volunteered, this school is a product of local initiative.

“We have appealed to a lot of people, including Government for funding.

“It’s a rectangle plan which houses everything, including offices and library. It becomes easier to construct and is cost effective.

“Children in this ward travel 15km to access either Mt Darwin or Ruya primary schools, which makes it difficult for early childhood development pupils to access schools.

“Nyamwinyu Primary School is equidistant from both Mt Darwin and Ruya schools and becoming a breaking point.

“The school will serve eight villages with a population of 1 350 households. In rural planning, for every 140 households there must be a school, this gives a picture of the critical shortage of schools in this area.”

The school secretary Mrs Dorica Bako said she is excited with the completion of the first school block and is optimistic that children will start using the school in January next year.

“Many children, especially ECD pupils, were failing to attend school due to the long distances to the nearest. Parents would keep their children home and wait until they turn eight years before allowing them to start Grade 1,” said Mrs Bako.

“There are two rivers, Chitonho and Karive on the way to Ruya Primary School, which are difficult to cross when flooded, but there are no rivers within the proximity of the new school.”

About 34 youths from the National Youth Service also assisted in the construction of the school under their Youth Build Zimbabwe programme.

The team leader Mrs Tariro Mhari said beside giving back to the community through provision of labour, they have gained valuable skills by being part of the project.

“We moulded bricks and (we are also) assisting with roofing the classroom block. This also helped the youths to spend their time productively.”