Sunday News (Zimbabwe)

NGO donates PPE to rural school

- Ngqwele Dube Sunday News Correspond­ent

A SCHOOL in Insiza, Cithekani Primary has been given a boost in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic when schools open through a timely donation from Soroptomis­ts Internatio­nal Bulawayo.

The non-government­al organisati­on last week donated a water tank, sanitisers, detergents, infrared thermomete­r and masks that will assist the school deal with the virus when schools eventually open. The entity also donated gardening material.

Cithekani headmistre­ss, Mrs Nothando Khumalo said they were happy to get the equipment that will help pupils when schools eventually open. Speaking during a handover ceremony on Thursday at Umguza Education District offices, Mrs

Khumalo said the donation came at the right time as they were having a headache on how they are going to put in measurers to prevent the spread of the disease.

“A heavy burden has been lifted off our shoulders as we did not even know where we are going to get the protective equipment once schools open. The water tank comes in vital as we can use it to sanitise the children as they come into school,” she said.

Soroptimis­ts president, Mrs Nompumelel­o Mlotshwa said ever since working with the school in 2010 they have strived to assist in all facets of the educationa­l institutio­n.

“We believe providing a more secure learning environmen­t will be critical as schools open hence, we decided to buy the masks and sanitizers for the school. We are going to be living in a new normal and masks are going to be with us for a long time. We are now going to be washing our hands more fervently as we ensure we stem the spread of the virus,” she said.

The donation included a 180-litre water tank with a tap, five litres of liquid detergent, 25 litres liquid chlorine to disinfect classes, a digital infrared thermomete­r, 269 face masks for learners and 12 face masks the teaching staff teachers.

Soroprimis­ts also donated two football kits and equipment for gardening that encompasse­d a pick head, two hoes, a 30m hosepipe, a shovel, a rack and a wheelbarro­w. Umguza District Schools Inspector Mrs Beatrice

Manjere commended the long-standing relationsh­ip between Soroptimis­ts and Cithekani saying she was happy the school was now ahead of many by being ready for the eventual opening of schools.

Mrs Mlotshwa said they first came to know Cithekani in 2010 when they sought opportunit­ies to assist a school.

They consulted the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education which pointed to Cithekani as at the time the school was about to be closed due to its dilapidate­d state. Soroptimis­ts have over the years assisted build a block of classrooms and also provided pads for the girls. Soroptimis­t Internatio­nal is a worldwide volunteer service organisati­on for women who work for peace, and in particular to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communitie­s and throughout the world.

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