BULAWAYO – A United Kingdom-based charity, Mopane Foundation, has come to the aid of 35 rural children who are academically gifted but disadvantaged economically by paying their school fees, buying uniforms and stationery so that they stay in school.

Mopane Foundation project leader, Nomsa Neke, who lives and works in the UK, felt that there was a pressing need to improve the continually dipping life of rural learners.

As someone on who grew up in rural areas, Neke narrated problems she herself encountered and now sought to provide potential solutions that would help children in villages.

With the support of friends and well-wishers, she founded Mopane Foundation.

Neke told ZimLive.com the idea of forming Mopane started from a feeling of a deep concern with the deteriorating state of Zimbabwean education, especially in rural areas.

She said: “I came down from the UK to spend two weeks with children from the rural areas. We have 35 learners in total and I am grateful to Founders High School which offered us accommodation. Five children came from Shurugwi, six from Tsholotsho, seven from Nkayi, five from Matopo, seven from Zamanyoni in Kezi and five from Nyashongwe also in Kezi. Initially two children had stayed behind because their guardians had failed to raise the bus fare so we had to send the money to them.

“We have a number of programmes lined up to keep the children busy, educated and most of all entertained. We will tour a number of sites in Bulawayo and already we have been to the water works so that the children appreciate how water is purified and transferred to taps.”

Neke explained Mopane Foundation aims to enhance learning levels for rural children to make sure learners remain engaged, energised, and with a sense of self-worth such as their peers in urban centres.

“Our initiative is to help rural children. I grew up in the rural areas and I know there is no exposure that will enhance their understanding. But if they at least attain a basic education, these children would have a starting point,” Neke said.

“Mopane Foundation pays school fees and buys stationery that is required in their schools. Currently, we have limited funds to buy food which they can consume at their homes.”

For this trip, Mopane Foundation partnered with some teachers and social workers to build knowledge, skills, and attitudes in order to mold the rural learners.

“I work with those who want to support us among others in order to influence our rural children and at the same time working on bringing potential solutions to their plight,” Neke said.

She hopes to forge close relations with local organisations to enhance and grow their work.

“We’re happy so far with the support we receive and Edgars also came on board and donated uniforms and goodies. The foundation is also run by enthusiastic members, eager to improve the lives of the rural learners. To me Mopane Foundation is a launchpad that finds, funds, and supports rural children who are academically gifted but economically advantaged,” she said.

Education advocate … Nomsa Neke’s charity changing lives for rural learners

Some of the children ZimLive.com spoke to hailed the foundation for coming to their rescue.

Lungeni Ncube, a Grade 6 learner from Zamanyoni Primary School in Kezi, said Mopane has helped her academic journey.

“My goal is to reach Form 6, which would have been just a dream without Mopane’s help,” she smiled.

Her sentiments were echoed by Iphithule Ndebele, a Grade 7 learner from Gwayi Primary in Tsholotsho.

“Mopane has paid for my school fees, bought uniforms for me and that has kept me in school,” he said.

Another learner, Nqobani Dube, who is in Form 1 at Mqabuko Nkomo High in Kezi confirmed that Mopane had been assisting him since he was in Grade 6 and continued doing so.

“I’m grateful for this assistance,” he said.

A social service worker, Sopha Ngwenya-Ncube, who had accompanied children from Zamanyoni in Kezi said the gesture by Mopane Foundation would go a long way in empowering rural children.

“I came here with seven children, three from secondary and four from primary. As a social worker who advances the cause of disadvantaged children I support this initiative. It will keep these children in school and not be statistics of those who are uneducated. Plus the educational tours that the children partake in are very crucial to widen their scope and expose them,” she summed.