News / Press Release
4 Matabeleland students to represent Zimbabwe in SA
22 Jun 2017 at 13:13hrs | Views
Mopane Foundation international's 4 beneficiaries from Somakwilili Primary School in Nkayi, MatNorth to represent Zimbabwe in the Northern Gauteng expo for young scientists.
Mopane Foundation international is thrilled to announce that 4 of its 35 beneficiaries are representing Zimbabwe in the Northern Gauteng expo for young scientists on 08 august 2017 at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. This is first ever and a life-time opportunity for these underprivileged orphaned kids from Somakwilili Primary School, in MatNorth, Zimbabwe.
The following students are going to join other young scientists from Zimbabwe and South Africa in showcasing their innovative science projects at Expo.
L-R; Luise, Given, Menelisi and Andile
These kids come from one of the most remote areas of Matebeland and exposure is one of the things they lack. Nomsa Neke, the Mopane Foundation's project leader just returned from the annual field trip and spent the day with these kids on the 5th June 2017. On being asked as to what they aspire to be on completing their studies all wish to be teachers and one wishes to be a driver as he thinks the only way you can spend more time in a car is being a driver. It is therefore the Foundation's wish to help them explore all the options in life and hoping this experience will fuel their desire to dream more. Previously, it has always been the kids from the cities that has entered this competition and in the last month a Zimbabwean entrant won an Award and scholarship in California. These students come from a school without any science equipment or lab but we trust the activity will broaden their horizon and allow them to think and use what is within their reach.
Our Zimbabwe team just arrived in Nkayi last night and will be there until weekend supporting with preparation for the upcoming science competition. Leading the team is Rev Hlanganani Dube along with Zimbabwe Science Fair delegates to support our first ever kids from such a background and such a remote area to have such privilege to partake in such a prestigious competition. Mr Dube can be reached at Somakhwilili Primary School in Matebeleland North was built in 1957 as St Andrews under Roman Catholic Church approximately 240 km from Bulawayo and 73km from Nkayi centre. The school currently has an enrolment of approximately 300 children and is in a very remote area with extremely inaccessible roads. Children attending the school are from four villages of Gayela Umfundi, Mkhulunyelwa and Mandindi.
The school infrastructure is at a very advance stage of dilapidation except for new toilet blocks that were recently built with the assistance of World Vision. There are only two classroom blocks in the school with some classes having to carry out their learning in the open.
About the competition
The Zimbabwe Science Fair provides a research and technology inspired platform which encourages Zimbabwean students to come up with inventions, innovations and research projects to meaningfully contribute to the development of communities; and to advance Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education.
The Mopane Foundation International since it depends on public support is still appealing for financial support. Contact the team concerning this trip:
UK: Nomsa Nekevane on +44 7450 287082 nekenomsa@yahoo.co.uk
Zimbabwe: Rev Hlanganani Dube on +263 716 084 184
Alternatively email info@mopanefoundation.org on contact us through website
www.mopanefoundation.org
FB: Mopane Foundation International
Mopane Foundation international is thrilled to announce that 4 of its 35 beneficiaries are representing Zimbabwe in the Northern Gauteng expo for young scientists on 08 august 2017 at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. This is first ever and a life-time opportunity for these underprivileged orphaned kids from Somakwilili Primary School, in MatNorth, Zimbabwe.
The following students are going to join other young scientists from Zimbabwe and South Africa in showcasing their innovative science projects at Expo.
L-R; Luise, Given, Menelisi and Andile
These kids come from one of the most remote areas of Matebeland and exposure is one of the things they lack. Nomsa Neke, the Mopane Foundation's project leader just returned from the annual field trip and spent the day with these kids on the 5th June 2017. On being asked as to what they aspire to be on completing their studies all wish to be teachers and one wishes to be a driver as he thinks the only way you can spend more time in a car is being a driver. It is therefore the Foundation's wish to help them explore all the options in life and hoping this experience will fuel their desire to dream more. Previously, it has always been the kids from the cities that has entered this competition and in the last month a Zimbabwean entrant won an Award and scholarship in California. These students come from a school without any science equipment or lab but we trust the activity will broaden their horizon and allow them to think and use what is within their reach.
Our Zimbabwe team just arrived in Nkayi last night and will be there until weekend supporting with preparation for the upcoming science competition. Leading the team is Rev Hlanganani Dube along with Zimbabwe Science Fair delegates to support our first ever kids from such a background and such a remote area to have such privilege to partake in such a prestigious competition. Mr Dube can be reached at Somakhwilili Primary School in Matebeleland North was built in 1957 as St Andrews under Roman Catholic Church approximately 240 km from Bulawayo and 73km from Nkayi centre. The school currently has an enrolment of approximately 300 children and is in a very remote area with extremely inaccessible roads. Children attending the school are from four villages of Gayela Umfundi, Mkhulunyelwa and Mandindi.
The school infrastructure is at a very advance stage of dilapidation except for new toilet blocks that were recently built with the assistance of World Vision. There are only two classroom blocks in the school with some classes having to carry out their learning in the open.
About the competition
The Zimbabwe Science Fair provides a research and technology inspired platform which encourages Zimbabwean students to come up with inventions, innovations and research projects to meaningfully contribute to the development of communities; and to advance Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education.
The Mopane Foundation International since it depends on public support is still appealing for financial support. Contact the team concerning this trip:
UK: Nomsa Nekevane on +44 7450 287082 nekenomsa@yahoo.co.uk
Zimbabwe: Rev Hlanganani Dube on +263 716 084 184
Alternatively email info@mopanefoundation.org on contact us through website
www.mopanefoundation.org
FB: Mopane Foundation International
Source - Mopane Foundation
