Farewell Class of 2025

WRITTEN BY MERCY

A short month though it may be, December certainly is an emotional roller coaster for team, students, mentees and project participants. While the annual graduation, Christmas party, camp and community projects are all highlights of the month, the thought of Upper Sixes going off into the big wide world is never too far.

GIVING BIG WITH THE BIGGIVE

We asked you to give the gift of technology in our December 2025 BigGive challenge and we would like to thank everyone who participated! Our target was USD$10000 and you managed to raise a very respectable USD$8200! This will go towards gadgets for our A-Level students. Thank you! We couldn’t have done it without you.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE BLESSING

We are excited to update you on Class of 2023 student and 2025 Gap Year Intern, Blessing. She is currently studying in Algeria, and took the time to share these beautiful words with us:

“Thank you for opening doors to exciting opportunities in my life, helping me try new things, learn from them, and grow. That experience marked the beginning of my journey of discovering who I am and who I want to become. I cherish every memory and lesson I carried from Makomborero, guarding them jealously in my heart. I experienced personal growth, gained a true sense of belonging and a loving family. Thank you for funding my education, and shaping the person I am today, someone who dares to exceed expectations, has an open mind, and is ready to learn. During my time at Makomborero, I was being equipped for the journey I’m on now, thanks to you. I will forever be a part of the Makomborero family.”

We are so glad to hear that Blessing is off to a good start and we wish her all the best for this chapter of her life.

GRADUATION

Well done to the Class of 2025 for all their achievements throughout the last two years. They were celebrated at the Annual Graduation Ceremony. It was a well-attended and emotional occasion with speeches from students, Mrs Tambowoneyi, Mr Mahere and Mrs A. Current Makomborero students, Makomborero alumni, staff, volunteers, donors and sponsors enjoyed a cup of tea and a catch up as part of the event. Well done to the 16 Ndeipi Small Business Training participants who were awarded certificates for their hard work and innovative ideas over the course of 2025.

A-LEVEL CHRISTMAS PARTY AND CAMP

Residential and Non-residential students enjoyed a celebratory 3 days together at the annual camp. The three-day camp meant that all students had the opportunity to attend a Robotics workshop. After that, Mrs A led some fun games before a meal of hot dogs, chicken and salads. The evening came with presents for each student, ice-cream and cake and a massive downpour that signalled the rainy season in Zimbabwe might be a good one after all! As staff and students sat round in the lounge, memories and achievements from 2025 were shared by students – a beautiful moment that showed all of us just how far we had come.

COMMUNITY SERVICE
Day 2 of camp started early with team and students travelling to the outskirts of Harare to paint blackboards as part of the annual community service. There was evidence of late-night snacking and very little sleep in the slightly red eyes of the students and the slower pace they moved with. That said, we are so proud of the incredible work they did painting 11 blackboards that were 2-3 metres wide each. There were lots of laughs and team work as well as a chance for Lower Sixes to learn a new skill.

Most rural schools in Zimbabwe still rely on blackboards and painting them gives them a new lease of life and greatly improves visibility for students. This enhances the learning experience greatly particularly for the students with eye problems.

The final, final goodbyes came on day 3 after a hearty breakfast and a good clear up. We will certainly miss you, Class of 2025!

UZ RESIDENCE CHRISTMAS PARTY

Our UZ Residence had their own merriment before they all took a well-deserved break. If you guessed a braai and games, you guessed right! There was cake too in celebration of December birthdays.

THANK YOU

If you enjoyed reading the December goings on at Makomborero, pat yourself on the back! It’s your support that has made not only this month but this whole year possible. We would like to say a heart-felt thank you!

FINALLY

As we go into the new term and new year, if you would like to support our students in any way, please click here for various ways to give from all over the world.

After the busyness of the end of year, we leave you with this gentle reminder from William Wordsworth, ‘Rest and be thankful.’