Mahwindi4ED pays school fees for 150 learners

A Zanu-PF affiliate, Mahwindi for Economic Development (Mahwindi4ED), has paid school fees for 150 vulnerable learners at 10 government primary schools in Mutare, easing the financial burden on struggling families.

The payments were made on Friday by the organisation's Manicaland chapter at schools in the high-density suburbs of Sakubva and Dangamvura, with 15 pupils selected from each institution.

In Sakubva, beneficiaries were drawn from Zamba, Sakubva, Dangare, Chisamba and Mutanda primary schools, while in Dangamvura the programme covered Rujeko, Sheni, Gimboki, Dangamvura and Chirovakanwe primary schools.

The initiative was led by former Mutare Central Member of Parliament Esau Mupfumi, Zanu-PF Mutare district coordinating committee secretary for education Shepherd Jojo, Mahwindi4ED adviser Jealous Mukorera and the organisation's chairperson Herman Nyika.

In total, the group spent more than US$8 000 on school fees, helping to keep the learners in school and safeguard their education.

Speaking to NewsDay, Mukorera said the programme was motivated by growing concern over school dropouts and rising drug abuse among children unable to attend classes due to unpaid fees.

"After realising that some children are failing to go to school because of school fees and end up taking drugs, we sat down with our leader and former Mutare Central MP Esau Mupfumi," he said.

"As Mahwindi for Economic Development, we managed to raise money and have paid school fees for 150 schoolchildren. Since we are still starting, we are going to grow bigger in the coming school terms."

Mukorera also dismissed claims that the group was violent, saying its work was centred on community support and development.

"We have heard some people saying that we are violent. We are not violent; it is just a name people gave us. We help people and we are ready to assist communities in line with Vision 2030," he said.

Nyika said the initiative would be expanded in future to include the provision of stationery and other learning materials.

"We are going to continue with this initiative in the coming terms. We are also going to provide stationery and other requirements, and we are ready to work with other stakeholders," he said.

School heads who received the assistance on behalf of the learners expressed gratitude, saying the support would go a long way in ensuring that vulnerable pupils remain in school.