The 2nd term is always extremely long and busy! We started the term with the incredibly exciting move to our new Residential Resource Centre, which was so generously donated to us! What an incredible property it is and we have so enjoyed settling into it and making it our new home for Makomborero. The students have particularly loved the extra space, the peace they find in the garden etc. We ran our first Global Giving Campaign to fundraise for some renovations and it was a successful campaign, which really has opened doors for us in the future with fundraising! We came 3rd overall in our qualifying campaign! But it also means that very necessary additions to the house can be made. We had two opportunities to celebrate this house – we had an informal blessing with students – past and present and their families and then had a corporate event where our corporate sponsors attended a tree planting ceremony. Both these events were very special and such a celebration of all that we have been given.
Zimbabwe Achievers Awards
We were thrilled to be nominated and then go on to win the Zimbabwe Achievers Award in the UK for our Charitable work. Thank you to all those who voted for us.
Past Students
We have had students back on their summer holidays and as always this is always wonderful. They have all changed and matured and we love spending time with them. Some of them have been doing internships locally and we had the privilege of having Tari (Leaver 2013) intern with us. He did a fantastic job of setting up our mobile laboratory and doing motivational talks at his old school. We launched the laboratory with a group of 17 students and this was amazingly special to see a dream become reality. We really hope to have the laboratory fully operational with funding for the running costs by January 2017. The students who attended our launch pilot day had never used scientific equipment before!
Last year’s leavers start at the University of Zimbabwe this month benefiting from the Makomborero University Grant. Prince found out that he will be going to Scotland on a Mastercard scholarship to study at the University of Edinburgh in September, Michael heads to Ghana on a Mastercard scholarship at Ashesi and Yeukai got a local scholarship through MBCA Scholarship to study at the University of Zimbabwe.
Current students
It is always with excitement that the Science Olympiad results are waited for! And this year did not disappoint – 10 Students went to South Africa including 3 external students – leaving the country for the first time ever on an incredible all expenses paid trip. Our students all did so well but special mention goes to Ngoni who won 1st Prize – an iPad and R200 gift voucher, Bruce Migeri – 3rd Prize iPad and R200 gift voucher and Prince Mugebe -5th Prize laptop. These rankings where in SADC in the Physical Science Category.
Hellenic and St Georges Lower Sixth both had their leadership camps this term. These are a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn new skills, as well as helping them bond with their fellow classmates.
Tatenda and Prince participated in the Canadian Waterloo University Eudid Maths Contest and both got distinctions and made it into the 75% competitors category in the world. Tatenda wrote the 2nd round of the Old Mutual Maths Olympiad and awaits results.
Bruce received commendation in Design and Technology, Computer Science and Maths and was privileged to have tea with his headmaster.
Sharon received academic commendations in all her subjects and was selected for 1st team netball.
Nigel, an external student, has been elected the Junior Mayor of Harare for this year.
2016 Akwanya students
I had the great pleasure of attending the Akwanya get together at Rochester University in the States with 4 of our students about to start at their Universities on Akwanya-Mastercard Scholarships. It was a brilliant time to help them with the transition but to also meet other African partners and University councillors. This is an incredible partnership which we are so thankful for. We have learnt so much since being part of Akwaya and we so value the way they nurture and look after our students during their scholarship.
Giving back
August school holidays always see us giving back to the communities our students come from and we were able to provide lessons for students from Tafara 2 and Epworth. Students whose family situations are incredibly hard. We might not be able to change their academic accomplishments this late on but we plant a seed of hope in their hearts again. We love watching our students give back and seeing relationships built and hearts believe again. We had an fantastic team of
volunteers both local and from overseas and they make this week the success that it is.
Sponsors
Thank you again to our sponsors for your continued support. Without you we would not be able to accomplish all that we do.
We would like to welcome Hunyani on board as a new partner and we are so thankful for their sponsorship this year.
We are also thankful to be part of Zimbabwe Cares – a group of small charitable trusts working in Zimbabwe. They are a huge inspiration and encouragement to us.
