Welcome Titambire

WRITTEN BY MERCY

The team in Zimbabwe has had a busy and exciting July! They welcomed 267 students to the First Round of the Testing Process for the 2027 A-Level Scholarships. They also welcomed our UK Chairperson, Tunde, who spent a week getting stuck in during the busiest week in the Makomborero Zimbabwe calendar.

THE FIRST ROUND OF TESTING

Reading of application forms

Well done and thank you to the team of 14 who read over 700 application forms for the 2027 A-Level Scholarships. Going through each and every story was emotionally tough for the team of trustees, staff and volunteers. With rising costs in fuel, school fees and basic needs in the Zimbabwe, it was no surprise that some of the applicants’ stories were nothing short of harrowing. Short listing only 250 students to go through to the 1^st round was difficult, in the end it was 264 students who were selected. Applications were received from all over the country, as close as Harare inner city schools and as far as the four borders of Zimbabwe.

Preparations for the testing process

Once the students were shortlisted, staff in Harare focused their attention on planning the logistics of the 1^st Round of Testing. This year, the team took a risk and decided to test all students on the same day as opposed to over two days which was the norm. Of the students from towns and cities outside of Harare, 28 did not have anywhere to stay and were hosted at the Makomborero University Residence. These students arrived the day before the testing day and left the day after the testing day. Thanks to the team, they all had warm and comfortable beds to sleep in, some delicious food and a great team of Makomborero alumni welcomed and looked after them. Counting out and preparing 264 bits of pencils, erasers, scrap paper, test papers, answer sheets, cups, snacks and lunch packs was a task that stretched over weeks! The day before the testing process was all about collecting out of town students from their drop off points as well as dropping off all necessary materials and food to our testing venue. Biceps were well and truly exercised on that day and the step counter recordings were sky high!

The testing day

The risk paid off and the 1^st Round of Testing ran smoothly thanks to Makomborero alumni volunteers, staff and trustees! It was a gloriously sunny winter day in Harare and the applicants were chatty and hopeful, if a little anxious. All through the break times staff and Makomborero alumni could be seen chatting to and serving the applicants. Amongst the many questions they had about the scholarship, most of them wore big, hopeful smiles that could melt anyone’s heart. There were quite a few familiar faces who had been through Mobile Science Lab sessions the previous year, the highest number we’ve had to date! As the day wound down, students felt comfortable enough to start singing and MCing. It was lovely to watch! The final part of the programme was water colour painting. Each applicant was challenged to represent their past and their future in two paintings. They loved this last part of the day! Each applicant was sent away with a small gift. Mr A and team are currently in the throes of marking and collating data while preparations for the 2^nd Round of Testing in August are underway.

Tunde’s week in Zimbabwe

Our Makomborero UK Chairperson has just spent a fun and intense week with the team in Harare. Though he was there for only a short time, he managed to spend time at the office, the A-Level boarding house and of course, the 1^st Round of Testing. At the office, he managed to get involved in the weekly shopping, the sorting out of stationery for testing and the laying out of bedding for the out-of-town applicants. At the boarding house, he shared some wise words with the students, shared a meal with them as well as lots of chats and laughter. Here is what he had to say about his visit.
“I got to spend five brilliant days in Zimbabwe, where I met with Mark and Laura, office staff, beneficiaries, alumni and some members of the local board.
I had the privilege of helping out with the testing process (as well as getting to see how much work and meticulous planning go into it), seeing two DRC refugees having an opportunity to join Makomborero, and discussing potential growth with local trustees.
The highlight for me was getting to interact with the boarding house students, alumni who had volunteered for the selection process, and even participants for the testing process. I found it equally humbling and uplifting to hear their personal stories and future aspirations.
I can’t wait to go back and do it again.”
Tunde

CLOSING OUR PROJECTS FOR THE TERM

We had a wonderful time closing our projects for the term. The Mobile Lab students had a great final session where they presented their final Physics group projects and took the 3D models they had designed home. The 15 students from 3 schools shared a final meal to say goodbye. The session was made more special by a visit from a long-term supporter and sponsor, Anna. She played a huge part in bringing the 3D printer to the Mobile Science Lab. On this day, she brought lots of lsweet treats for both the lab and boarding house. A big thank you to Anna!

Our Girl Child Mentorship Programme closed out with a lunch and art therapy session. Each mentee took home a hygiene pack – a face towel, toothpaste and a toothbrush. For all the mentees, it was a real treat! An anonymous donor gave all the mentors hand lotion and fancy pens as a way of showing gratitude for the countless hours they spend volunteering each term.

WELL DONE MILTON AND TANATSWA!

Congratulations to Milton and Tanatswa who recently graduated! Both were at Williams College and have graduated with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Computer Science and Statistics. We are humbled to be part of their journeys and are beyond proud of all they have achieved. Both served as Gap Year students at Makomborero Zimbabwe after their A-Levels and continue to serve current Makomborero students in different areas. Milton and Tanatswa, cheers to you!

AND FINALLY,

This month, we welcomed over 250 new faces into the Makomborero family. We are so aware that we may never see some of those faces again. Our hope is that each and every one of them felt loved and valued in every detail of the process. It seems fitting this month to quote Nikki Giovanni’s words, ‘We love because it’s the only true adventure.’

Mercy, on behalf of Mark and Laura Albertyn and the whole Makomborero team