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Rejoyce Sibanda, Chronicle Reporter
MR TAPIWA Chinjonjo was not satisfied with being a scientist — he felt empty on the inside — so after 18 years confined in a lab, doing research and experiments, he quit his job as a laboratory technician to form an organisation dedicated to nurturing future scientists.

The Bulawayo man from Selborne Park Suburb realised that in an era of increasing digitalisation, climate change concerns and health crises it was critically important to capacitate Zimbabwe with scientifically and technologically-woke individuals.

Harnessing the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) potential of children was crucial to tackling urgent challenges and to pushing Zimbabwe into new frontiers, thought Mr Chinjonjo.

That thought, with the assistance of teachers that teach STEM subjects, led to the birth of Young Leaders in 2015. A lab technician at Mtshabezi High School since 2003, Mr Chinjonjo had no choice but to leave due to the demanding schedule of his new organisation.

Young Leaders Academy is a private voluntary organisation which works to equip schools with relevant knowledge, motivation and up-to-date scientific tools which go a long way not only in demystifying Science and Mathematics but also make STEM subjects easy to comprehend.

“The noble idea was born to encourage, motivate and support learners to unlock the potential within them and cultivate a passion for the betterment of themselves and the upliftment of their communities and the country,” said Mr Chinjonjo.

He said his wife is also a scientist which makes it easier for him to share ideas at home and to get assistance from her. He added that he is happy that even his children are walking the same Science path his wife and him took.

Two weeks ago, Young Leaders Academy hosted a girl child STEM exhibition at the Bulawayo Public Library where five schools — Errymaple High School, Errymaple International School, Townsend High School, Academic Advantage Academy and Matopo High School — showcased their STEM projects.

Errymaple High School brought a windmill, Errymaple International School produced a water level detector, Academic Advantage Academy displayed a solar cooker, Townsend High had a mini projector and Matopo High came with a motion detector.

Errymaple High School won the grand prize and its students got Science lab equipment which included measuring cylinders, test tubes, tripod stands, clamps and basic lab acids.
The rest of the schools won scientific calculators.

Mr Nkosana Mazibisa, who was the guest of honour at the exhibition, encouraged the girl child not to look down on herself but take STEM subjects seriously like her male counterparts.
He said in developed countries, girl child participation in STEM subjects is rising significantly compared to Africa.

“The world is a global village united by Science through telecommunication devices like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram among others and so the girl child should be seen at the forefront of such innovations,” said Mr Mazibisa.

Young Leaders Academy board member, Ms Netsai Nyakwangwa said her passion for STEM and the girl child can never be over-emphasised.

She said as a Science specialist, she notes that the girl child is marginalised when it comes to Science and Mathematics.

Ms Nyakwangwa said there is a need to encourage and provide resources to make Science and Mathematics easy to apprehend.

Bulawayo Public Library representative, Ms Maidei Ndebele said the library provides many resources like textbooks, the internet and study rooms to help STEM learners.

“Bulawayo Public Library partnered with Young Leaders Academy to promote STEM mainly for girls. Mostly if we look in schools, Science subjects are done by boys and the perception is that STEM subjects are difficult for girls.

“This is why we want to change that perception and mentality,” said Ms Ndebele.
She said the textbooks from the library help the students to develop and be able to provide scientifically sustainable solutions that are going to develop and improve the lives of communities and schools.

“We have a book about how to make solar projects called ‘Construction of solar cookers and driers’, from Book Aid International which can help students become innovative as they just need to read through it to come up with fresh ideas and start constructing their solar projects,” she said. — @ReeSibanda