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NMB Bank builds gazebo for Tinokwirira Special School
04 Oct 2016 at 08:25hrs | Views
Tinokwira pupils and staff with NMB officials outside the NMB Art Centre at the school
NMB Bank on Friday (September 30) officially handed over to Tinokwirira Zimcare Centre in Mabvuku a gazebo it has constructed on the school's premises for use as an art centre.
Tinokwirira is a special school for children with intellectual disabilities. At present there are 31 boys and 12 girls enrolled at the school, which concentrates on practical and basic life skills that can help them in their day-to-day life.
The NMB Art Centre, as the gazebo has been named, will be used for sculpture and art lessons.
Previously, the children had these lessons in the open with only the trees for shade. A local sculptor, Robert Bonjisi, teaches sculpture at the school for free twice a week.
The gazebo is airy, since its open sides allow a cool breeze to flow through it. It provides shelter from the sun and the rain. It has a storeroom for storing equipment and the artwork the children produce.
Handing over the NMB Art Centre to the school, NMB Bank chief finance officer Benson Ndachena said when the bank heard about the school's need for a gazebo it did not hesitate to agree to provide it, because it saw it as a worthwhile initiative.
"We believe that the work that is being done at this school is valuable and deserves our support and that of the community at large.
"I understand that, despite not having an arts classroom, children at this school have been having sculpture lessons every Tuesday and Thursday out in the open. While the trees may have provided some shade from the sun, I imagine that classes have had to be abandoned when it rains.
"This new art centre should provide protection both from the sun and from the rain, enabling classes to continue even when it rains," he said.
Some of the students' artwork was exhibited at the recently held Harare Agricultural Show. It has also been exhibited at other exhibitions, including the annual Disability Expo and the Zimcare Trust Awareness Day.
"That says a lot for the talent and skill which some of you have when it comes to sculpture and the success of your teacher in passing on some of his own skills," Mr Ndachena said.
Quoting the late Nelson Mandela, who once said education was the most powerful weapon to change the world, he said education was important for every child.
"It is important that every child is given the opportunity to develop the talents that he or she has," he said.
The children at Tinokwirira Special School have varying mental and physical challenges, among which are epilepsy, cerebral palsy, Downs syndrome and autism.
Tinokwirira School headmaster Chrispen Mpofu expressed his appreciation for the initiative by NMB. He said the NMB Art Centre would be of great benefit to the children and the school.
School Development Committee deputy chairperson Janet Kaseke also thanked NMB Bank for the donation. She said special schools such as Tinokwirira were often looked down upon and did not receive as much recognition as other schools.
Tinokwirira is a special school for children with intellectual disabilities. At present there are 31 boys and 12 girls enrolled at the school, which concentrates on practical and basic life skills that can help them in their day-to-day life.
The NMB Art Centre, as the gazebo has been named, will be used for sculpture and art lessons.
Previously, the children had these lessons in the open with only the trees for shade. A local sculptor, Robert Bonjisi, teaches sculpture at the school for free twice a week.
The gazebo is airy, since its open sides allow a cool breeze to flow through it. It provides shelter from the sun and the rain. It has a storeroom for storing equipment and the artwork the children produce.
Handing over the NMB Art Centre to the school, NMB Bank chief finance officer Benson Ndachena said when the bank heard about the school's need for a gazebo it did not hesitate to agree to provide it, because it saw it as a worthwhile initiative.
"We believe that the work that is being done at this school is valuable and deserves our support and that of the community at large.
"I understand that, despite not having an arts classroom, children at this school have been having sculpture lessons every Tuesday and Thursday out in the open. While the trees may have provided some shade from the sun, I imagine that classes have had to be abandoned when it rains.
"This new art centre should provide protection both from the sun and from the rain, enabling classes to continue even when it rains," he said.
Some of the students' artwork was exhibited at the recently held Harare Agricultural Show. It has also been exhibited at other exhibitions, including the annual Disability Expo and the Zimcare Trust Awareness Day.
"That says a lot for the talent and skill which some of you have when it comes to sculpture and the success of your teacher in passing on some of his own skills," Mr Ndachena said.
Quoting the late Nelson Mandela, who once said education was the most powerful weapon to change the world, he said education was important for every child.
"It is important that every child is given the opportunity to develop the talents that he or she has," he said.
The children at Tinokwirira Special School have varying mental and physical challenges, among which are epilepsy, cerebral palsy, Downs syndrome and autism.
Tinokwirira School headmaster Chrispen Mpofu expressed his appreciation for the initiative by NMB. He said the NMB Art Centre would be of great benefit to the children and the school.
School Development Committee deputy chairperson Janet Kaseke also thanked NMB Bank for the donation. She said special schools such as Tinokwirira were often looked down upon and did not receive as much recognition as other schools.
Source - Agencies
