The Sunday Mail
Desire Ncube
MRS Patricia Makore, a mother of three, believes that her son became a drug addict when he left home to camp at a school that is 40 km away from the family dwelling in Somabula.
Without a school within the community, just like other children, Mrs Makore’s son could not bear travelling 80 km to and from school everyday.
He was left with no option but to set up makeshift tents near the school.
Mrs Makore is convinced that away from the watchful eyes of his family, her son was exposed to illicit activities, including taking drugs.
He dropped out of school while in Form Two.
The situation was similar to many other high school students at Browns Farm.
However, Church of Christ in Zimbabwe came to the rescue and set up a satellite secondary school in the area.
“My son dropped out of school when he was in Form Two, while staying alone. I believe he hung around the wrong people and they lured him into drugs.
“If we had not allowed him to stay alone but rather sacrifice to walk 80km every day, I am convinced he could not have engaged in drugs. Camping near a school that has no boarding structures exposes children to sexual abuse, child marriages, drug abuse and eventually they drop out of school,” said an emotional Mrs Makore.
“We could not afford to send our children to boarding schools. As a result we allowed them to stay on their own during school days.
“We heard rumours that girls were being sexually abused and others were cohabiting with their boyfriends. Some girls eloped after being impregnated,” she lamented.
Now that a school is being constructed by the Church of Christ in Zimbabwe in partnership with the Government and the local community, most parents at Browns Farm are relieved.
Already, two blocks have been erected with 195 students attending classes at the new school which has been named Matinunura, loosely translated to mean that the community has been saved from its troubles.
Speaking on the sidelines of their annual youth conference, Church of Christ national youth president, Pastor Evan Mabani said the school is functioning well.
“The first block at the school was built by the Men’s Fellowship while the other one was built by women.
“lt’s now our turn as the youth to build our block, that is why we decided to host our annual Easter youth conference here.
“We are conducting fundraising initiatives in order to raise money and start building,” said Pastor Mabani.
He said the land on which the school is being built belongs to the church.
“The church national council assessed the needs in the community and decided to start by constructing a school and thereafter church conference facilities. Our dream is to furnish this school with boarding facilities and leave a legacy in the area,” he said.
“However, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education advised us that this place will not be an examination centre until we construct a library and an administration block.
“Our first Ordinary Level class is sitting in November. This means they will have to travel to Gweru for their examinations. That is more than the 40-kilometre walk that we are trying to avoid,” he said.
Gladmore Mudzungairi, a Form Three student at Matinunura Secondary School, said the new school came as a great relief.
“Our dreams were on the verge of being shuttered due to the unavailability of a school in this area but now there is hope and we thank God for that,” he said.
Sibongikhosi Nyati, a Form Two student, said her parents had told her she would not proceed to high school as they feared that she would misbehave if she was to camp near the old school.
“My parents would say l would not proceed to high school. Fortunately when I finished Grade Seven, Church of Christ in Zimbabwe opened Matinunura Secondary School and my parents allowed me to enrol here.
“I didn’t want to get married before finishing school like what my friend did. I enjoy Fashion and Fabrics and want to be a fashion designer when I complete my studies,” she said.
