School Infrastructural Development and Resource Assistance.
We listen to all the requests made from the schools that we support, and strive to meet their needs as best as we can.
Some of the schools whom the Catalyst Foundation – S.H.E Programme have partnered with in the rural communities of Zimbabwe and Zambia, are extremely under-resourced/funded, and are in desperate need of support.
A classroom block in Kalebuka Primary School in Chibombo, Zambia, that accommodates 300 students.
As a result of this, the schools’ buildings/classrooms are really run down and are in need of major reconstruction to get them back to a standard that is conducive to dynamic teaching/learning for teachers/students. The classrooms are also really small in comparison to the student numbers.
Students at ManyochwaPrimary School in Beatrice, Zimbabwe, in a lesson, whilst other students are outside, waiting for their turn.
For some schools, they have to rotate lessons every hour, to allow each class to have lesson time in a classroom, as there is not enough space to accommodate all grades at the same time.
At Chidayamanzi Primary School in Chibombo, Zambia, they have a student to desk ratio of 1:14, resulting in students having to sit on the floor to do their schoolwork, as there are not enough desks/chairs available.
In addition, the school’s resources are also really limited, which disadvantages all students in various ways. Most of the classrooms do not have enough chairs and desks for all students to sit on, their black boards are really old, some have no windows or even a solid roof, to name a few.
In order for us to be able to fully understand each school’s needs, we request a wish list from them, which focuses on their infrastructural and resource needs. Based off these requests, we strive to meet all needs as best as we can, through the support of our partners.
Donation of Laptops to Chihoro Primary School, Beatrice, Zimbabwe.
Over the years, the use of technology, in particular computers and laptops within schools, has increased significantly worldwide, as these devices have been proven to benefit students’ in numerous ways. The schools that the Catalyst Foundation – S.H.E Programme support in Zimbabwe unfortunately do not have the privilege of having technological devices, such as computers or laptops available for their students to use, due to them being extremely under-resourced and funded. As a result of this, the students and our beneficiaries at these schools are unable to:
Through the support of various individuals and the Catalyst Foundation, we were able to donate laptops to Chihoro Primary School. The impact that this donation has made so far has been incredible, and we look forward to continuing this support until all schools part of the S.H.E Programme have enough computers or laptops to benefit all students.
Donation of Netball Kits and Balls to Sikente Primary School in Tsholotsho, Zimbabwe.
To revive sport at Nemane Secondary School in Tsholotsho, Zimbabwe, and to support their sporting development, we managed to donate Netball Kits and Balls to them for girls to be able to play the sport with all the necessary equipment needed. For a long time, girls did not have a sport to play, due to the school’s lack of resources, as part of their co-curricular education. Thus, this has changed, and now they are able to do so.
Donation of Soccer Kits to Sikente Primary School in Tsholotsho, Zimbabwe.
Following our donation made last year of brand new netball kits to the girls at Sikente Primary School, this year, we were able to make another donation, focusing on the boys this time, by donating three sets of brand new soccer kits, which is part of the additional support that we offer to the school.
Upon receiving this donation, the Headmistress was beyond thrilled and full of gratitude, as at the start of the year, she was in quandary on how they were going to acquire new kits for the year. Dreams definitely came true for many! We can’t wait to see these young soccer players unleashing their talents on the field in style!
Donation of Textbooks to Chiyabamanzi Primary School, Chibombo, Zambia.
Due to the lack of resources at Chiyabamanzi Primary School in Chibombo, Zambia, they do not have enough textbooks for all students to use and make reference to during their lessons.
We were able to donate textbooks to this school, as part of our additional support to them, for students to use. We look forward to being able to donate more in the near future, to allow every student to eb able to have their own textbook to use throughout the academic year.
Donation of school signage at Glorvina Gombo Primary School, Beatrice, Zimbabwe.
Nearly all the schools whom we support do not have adequate signage along the routes to the schools, resulting in visitors getting lost and people being unable to identify the schools themselves.
We were able to donate signage to all the schools in Beatrice in Zimbabwe, where the impact was great, as now, all schools can be identified and with the use of the signage, they will be able to direct visitors to them.
The tractor trimming Ringa and Chihoro Primary School’s fields in Beatrice, Zimbabwe.
We managed to organise a tractor to visit Ringa and Chihoro Primary School in Beatrice, Zimbabwe, as their fields and grounds were extremely overgrown. The overgrown grass brought about several safety hazards for the students there thus, this initiative was much needed.
In total, we managed to cut 2 hectares of grass at Ringa Primary School and a further 3 Hectares at Chihoro Primary School.
Through this initiative –all students are now able to safely play and make full use of the fields and grounds.
Beatrice, Zimbabwe
Quantity | Items Requested | Estimated Cost | Reason for Request |
100 | Sunrise English Reading Books | US$500.00 | For students to read to improve their English Language proficiency skills. |
to assist with Manyosnwa Primary School’s requests.
Quantity | Items Requested | Estimated Cost | Reason for Request |
20 | Laptops | US$6,000.00 | To help set up a Computer Lab for students to use in their ICT Lessons |
100 | Sunrise English Reading Books | US$500.00 | For students to read to improve their English Language proficiency skills. |
1 | School Classroom Block Donation | US$4,000.00 | Currently, there are not enough classrooms for all students |
Quantity | Items Requested | Estimated Cost | Reason for Request |
1 | Printer | US$100.00 | To allow the school to print out worksheets for the students to use during their lessons |
100m | Fencing Material | US$300.00 | To enable the school to rear goats as a source of meat to supplement their ‘School Feeding Programme’ and to educate their students about how look after them. |
15 | Bags of Cement | US$195.00 | To allow the school to continue with started building projects. |
1 | 5000l Water Tank + pipes | US$2,000.00 | Clean, safe water is a major problem for the school. A water Tank will allow for water to be stored during the rainy season, for use around the school and for the students to drink from. |
150 | Sunrise English Readers | US$700.00 | For students to read to improve their English Language proficiency skills. |
Quantity | Items Requested | Estimated Cost | Reason for Request |
15 | Bags of Cement | US$195.00 | To allow the school to continue with started building projects. |
Quantity | Items Requested | Estimated Cost | Reason for Request |
1 | Solar System | US$1,000.00 | Currently, there is no electricity installed at the school. The use of solar will be a sustainable means of acquiring electricity for use around the school. |
100m | Fencing Material | US$300.00 | To enable the school to rear goats as a source of meat to supplement their ‘School Feeding Programme’ and to educate their students about how look after them. |
Chibombo, Zambia
Quantity | Items Requested | Estimated Cost | Reason for Request |
1 | Staff Flat | US$3,000.00 | The majority of staff live very far away from the school. By them living at the school, they will be able to offer extra lessons to their students a lot more easily. |
10 | Laptops | US$3,000.00 | To help set up a Computer Lab for students to use in their ICT Lessons |
50 | Classroom Desks | US$1,000.00 | There are not enough desks in each classroom for students to sit at, resulting in them having to sit on the floor during lessons. |
50 | Classroom Chairs | US$500.00 | There are not enough chairs for students to sit on, resulting in them having to sit on the floor during lessons. |
2 | Projectors | US$200.00 | This will allow for English educational videos to be played for all students, to supplement their learning syllabus and to improve their English proficiency skills. |
1 | Music Kit | US$500.00 | To allow for music lessons to be taught at the school. |
9 | Book Shelves | US$500.00 | To allow for teachers to safely store away their files and books in the classrooms. |
100 | Sport Kits and Balls for Students | US$700.00 | This will assist the school to revive their sporting programme. |
1000 | Various Textbooks | US$3,500.00 | There are not enough textbooks available for all students to use in lessons. More textbooks will allow more students access to information which will improve their academic performance overall. |
35 | Packets of Wax Crayons | US$200.00 | Due to the poverty experienced by the students’ families, they do not have access to crayons to use in their lessons. Access to these will also help improve their learning of colours. |
36 | Ream of Manilla Card | US$100.00 | To make folders for students to store their school worksheets safely in. Also, this will help the teachers make educational posters for their classrooms. |
37 | Packets of Permanent Markers | US$200.00 | To allow teachers to be able to label their students’ folders and be able to write on the manilla card when making the educational posters for their classroom. |
Through our ‘School Infrastructural Development and Resource Assistance’ support, we hope that over time, we will be able to honour all schools’ requests. If we manage to achieve this, through your support, it will allow all their students to learn in an environment that motivates them to succeed in their studies, and also, have access to resources that will enable them to have broader access to information.
