Books have arrived at Maori!

The books have finally arrived at Maori Primary School. Four cartons of children’s books were sent December 2022 and made it to the school in November 2023. This new addition to the library includes a wide variety of book for children of all ages, which were purchased by visitors to the Zimkid’s tent. Many thanks to everyone who made a donation to the Books Build Better Futures fundraiser.

Books Build Better Futures again!

Every weekend in August and the first weekend of September ZimKIds will be hosting the Books Build Better Futures event at ZimArt’s Rice Lake Gallery again this year. It was so successful last year that we decided to do it once more for the final year of ZimArt. ZimKids is asking you to purchase a book for Maori Primary School in Zimbabwe. All books have been carefully chosen with guidance from staff at Maori to reflect the diversity of our world. The universal themes of respecting our environment, courage in the face of adversity, kindness, family and acceptance of others are present in the selection.

Sincere gratitude to Denise Quick & Scott Wilkie, generous donors to Maori Primary School, for initiating and supporting Books Build Better Futures.

Zimbabwean Crafts will be on sale during the Books Build Better Futures fundraisers each weekend.

Selected children’s books may also also be purchased at Happenstance in Lakefield for donations to the Books Build Better Futures.

FUNDRAISER: Books Build Better Futures

Every weekend in August and the first weekend of September ZimKIds will be hosting a Books Build Better Futures event at ZimArt’s Rice Lake Gallery. ZimKids is asking you to purchase a book for Maori Primary School in Zimbabwe. All books have been carefully chosen with guidance from staff at Maori to reflect the diversity of our world. The universal themes of respecting our environment, courage in the face of adversity, kindness, family and acceptance of others are present in the selection.

Last year ZimKids supported the purchase of resources for the early learners at Maori. This year our focus is on building a library of books that hopefully will build discussion on topics of interest to all of us!

Sincere gratitude to Denise Quick & Scott Wilkie, generous donors to Maori Primary School, for initiating and supporting Books Build Better Futures.

Zimbabwean Crafts will be on sale during the Books Build Better Futures fundraisers each weekend.

Selected children’s books may also also be purchased at Happenstance in Lakefield for donations to the Books Build Better Futures.

Learning Resources for Maori Primary School

This year we were able to provide learning resources for the preschoolers and the first two grades. This goal came from requests articulated by staff and the community. The selection of materials we purchased, which ranged from floor mats and building blocks to a range of locally made musical instruments, was chosen by staff. We also supported the fledgling music program by paying for a local musician to visit the school and work directly with staff and students.

Staff Cabins at Maori

This was the second year that the school had to adapt to COVID protocols and school closures. There were also a number of staff changes and other logistical challenges to deal with. However, the school remained the hub of the community and student attendance was high when it was operating. It is hard to estimate how much learning has been lost over the past two years.

Staff very much appreciated the cabins ZimKids built last year. Basic but better accommodation has improved their living conditions and the borehole has been transformative. They have started a vegetable garden which they can plant and harvest year round.

As part of our commitment to help the school attract and retain good staff we had two additional toilet and shower units built this year. Previous facilities were inadequate given the number of teachers living on site with their families.

ART IN THE GARDEN FUNDRAISER

We had a wonderful day. With poeple’s generosity and assistance we raised 4218.50! Funds are still being received and we hope to reach our goal of $5000.

This will allow us to fulfill the request from the teachers at Maori Primary School in Kartu Village. They asked for educational materials for their youngest classes, and we will be able to ensure that the materials they have chosen are purchased delivered directly to their school.

Water and Solar Pump

Our fundraising initiative to raise $12,965 US (about $18,296 CND) to drill a well and install a solar pump at Maori Primary School this fall were successful, despite concerns about fundraising during COVID.

Students in Zimbabwe started returning to school following a country-wide COVID shutdown on September 26th. On October 7th, the drilling rig arrived and the rest as they say is history! There is a bit of fine-tuning needed on the solar pump, but it’s 99% there. Many, many thanks to all our visitors to the ZimArt gallery, who participated in onsite fundraising initiatives, and donors for making the impossible possible!

 

 

Fundraising for Water Project

A priority for our board this year is a water project at Maori Primary school. This requires drilling a bore hole, lining it with steel casing and installing a solar water pump. This will provide a reliable source of water for the students and staff. Now, more so than ever with the threat of COVID 19, the lack of running water at the school is unsafe from both a public health and basic hygiene perspective.

The total cost of the well project for the Maori school is $12,965 USD (approximately $18,296 CND). We are very fortunate to have received a $10,000 donation from a generous supporter, so we are now trying to raise the balance – approximately $8296 CND.

Water Project Fundraising Letter

Certificate of Completion for Maori Primary School

On June 12th 2019, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education issued a “Certificate of Completion” indicating the third classroom block had been constructed following correct procedures.

In January 2020 the school was officially opened by two Zimbabwean government ministers including the Minister of Home Affairs. A large community celebration was held at the school and ZimKids’ board member Fran Fearnley was in attendance. The Canadian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, René Cremonese and his wife MJ, spent a day with ZimKids board member, Fran Fearnley, visiting both Nyachuru Secondary School and Maori Primary School.

Fran Fearnley’s speech at the opening of the Certification of Completion ceremony January 2020.

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