Zimpapers Logo

Andile Tshuma, Chronicle Reporter
A LOCAL organisation is appealing for financial assistance to pay a shipping company to release classroom furniture that was sourced from Germany for rural schools in Zimbabwe.

Collin Nyabadza Children’s Voice Charitable Trust, secured more than 1 000 chairs and desks that are meant to be handed over to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education for allocation to rural schools in Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces.

Mr Ziphathele Ncube, the programmes coordinator said the organisation faced problems with customs officials, resulting in the delay of the goods getting into the country.

“We received a 40 feet container load of school furniture from Bremen, Germany. However, due to circumstances beyond our control the shipment was delayed in Durban, South Africa and Beitbridge, Zimbabwe. The delays have triggered costs amounting to $2 000,” said Mr Ncube.

“As a result, storage fees accumulated and we now need $2 000 to pay the shipping company for storage fees. We have to pay for it because as it is, they are charging us an extra $5 per night for storage at the warehouse if we fail to pay for the furniture. Besides, the school children need it as well. It is winter and some children sit on the floor under such harsh weather conditions. These desks, chairs and stationery will go a long way in assisting our communities and our schools and it is our prayer that we manage to secure the funds to redeem the donated items from the shipping company.”

He said the chairs were mainly meant for rural schools in Matobo, Tsholotsho and Bubi districts.

“We source furniture, stationery and other school necessities from the Diasporan community around the world and donate it to some of the needy schools in our region,” he said.

“We had glitches in Beitbridge, these are some of the teething challenges that we are facing, as this is the first container we brought into the country. We hope for a smoother process next time,” said Mr Ncube.

“We strive to ensure that all children in Zimbabwe get an opportunity to attend school in a conducive and safe environment, and also to ensure that these children get to enjoy their childhood free from abuse and neglect,” he said.

“We kindly request for donations of any amount from individuals, companies or churches so that the furniture can be distributed to the specified rural schools.”

Well wishers can contact Mr Ncube on 0733 660 016.

Donations can be deposited into the Trust account on:

“Collin Nyabadza Children’s Voice Charitable Trust. Barclays Zimbabwe Limited. Account number 1149080, branch code 2307.

For more information, visit www.childrensvoicezimbabwe.org” said Mr Ncube.