Community Engagements
The former Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Professor A. Murwira, is on record for stating that an education system that does not benefit its own people is useless. This speaks to the third pillar of the Heritage based, Education 5.0 Philosophy, that of “community engagement”. Our teaching and learning should, through various means and ways, and at various intervals, engage and benefit the society at large. One other way of doing this is through Corporate Social Responsibility.
Kwekwe Poly pays back to the community
On the 8th of March 2023, a college bus, full of students made it way to Mary Ward Children’s Home in Amaveni so as to spend some time with the orphans. Kwekwe Polytechnic made a donation of an assortment of various groceries which included mealie-meal, cooking oil, sugar, salt, beans, soya meat, flour, rice and many more. The Town Clerk, Dr Mnkandla and the District Development Coordinator, Mr Mupungu joined the Principal of Kwekwe Polytechnic, Mr Musara in handing over the Donation to the catholic-run institution. As if that was not enough, the team then proceeded to Rugare Old people’s Home to also deliver various food items. Kwekwe Polytechnic remains committed to give a hand to charity in accordance to its capacity.
Kwekwe Polytechnic Donates to the less privileged pupils in Somalala, UMlala
In a remarkable display of generosity and commitment to community development, Kwekwe Polytechnic embarked on a mission to support less privileged pupils in rural schools. Rather than relying solely on external organizations for assistance, Kwekwe Polytechnic took it upon itself to make a positive impact on the lives of others within our community. This initiative aligns perfectly with the institution's Civic and Corporate Social Responsibility, which emphasizes giving back to the community that has played a significant role in shaping the success of Kwekwe Polytechnic.
Visit to Somalala
Driven by our draft Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policy of sustainability and the Ministry of Education's Education 5.0 Blueprint, which encourages community engagement in education, Kwekwe Polytechnic's National Strategic Studies (NASS) Department coordinated this act of generosity. Staff and students from the NASS Department gathered hundreds of stationary items which were donated to less privileged pupils in rural schools. It was on March 21, 2024, when a bus filled with 50 NASS students, lecturers from the NASS Department (Mr. Manyadza, Mr. Matema, Mr. Taitiya, Mr. Chichaya, Ms. Mufudza, Mr. Chimene, and Ms. Mathe), and the Public Relations team set off for Somalala Primary School in Zhombe, located approximately 50 kilometres from Kwekwe. Somalala Primary School, established in 1934 and 90 years old, holds a special place in the community, with an enrolment of 446 pupils and 18 teachers. The school faces challenges due to the dry and hot climate, which limits agricultural activities in the area. Many students require assistance to enhance their learning experience. In response to this need, Kwekwe Polytechnic donated 62 school bags filled with essential stationery items. Each bag contained 10 32-paged exercise books, 5 plastic covers, 5 khaki covers, selotape, pens, and pencils. Additional items were also handed over to the headmaster for distribution to other deserving students. The donation was presented during a vibrant ceremony attended by the School's Development Committee and the Local Community Leadership. The event featured mass displays, drum majorettes, dumbbells, music, and dance. In a speech delivered by the Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Mberikwazvo, on behalf of the Principal of Kwekwe Polytechnic, Mr. Evans Musara, it was emphasized that the institution specifically targeted the infant classes, recognizing their often overlooked needs. Mr. Musara stated, "We need to help these young, precious innocent lives attain basic education at the very least."
During the event, Mr. Manyadza, the Head of the NASS Department, expressed his department's commitment to instilling a culture of civic responsibility among students, aiming to foster an inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous Zimbabwe. He also noticed a pupil with special needs walking on two sticks. Mr Manyadza requested the school head to come and collect a set of crutches for the particular student (courtesy of Mr. Nhakwi, a lecturer in the NASS Department) on his next visit to Kwekwe Polytechnic, which he eventually did. The school head, Mr. Chifadza, expressed overwhelming joy and gratitude, highlighting the dire need for stationary among his pupils. He emphasized that the donation would significantly enhance teaching and learning at the school.
The efforts of Kwekwe Polytechnic did not stop there. On March 22, 2024, the team proceeded to Umlala Primary School, following a similar itinerary and delivering a comparable assortment of stationary to the less privileged infant pupils. The choice of Umlala Primary School was not a coincidence but a thoughtful decision made by Kwekwe Polytechnic. The school holds special significance for Mr. Hove, a lecturer in the NASS Department, as he is an integral member of the Umlala community. At Umlala Primary School, a joyful handover ceremony took place, The School head, Mr Mbeva could not hide his joy for the donation as he said we were the second group to consider his school in this manner, after Goldridge group of schools who donated shoes for all grades at the school.
Visit to Umlala Park
Mrs. Mberikwazvo, the Public Relations Officer, was moved by the plight of some students and pledged to pay school fees for one girl child from grade 3 up to grade 7. After the ceremony, there was a tour of the school which is an old farm house. Having been established in 1950, the school is 74 years old. Almost every building is cracking up. On several occasions the school has been battered by violent storms which blew roofs away. The staffroom and the headmaster’s office is not befitting the purpose. School authorities said they will appreciate it very much if they get help in the rehabilitation of old structures and the construction of new ones as well. Kwekwe Polytechnic's commitment to empowering underprivileged students in Somalala and Mulala serves as a shining example of the institution's dedication to social responsibility and community engagement. By reaching out to these rural schools and providing much-needed educational resources, Kwekwe Polytechnic is making a lasting impact on the lives of young students, giving them a chance to pursue a brighter future.
Fire Victims Get Assistance
It was on Monday, the 19th of February 2024, at a time when everyone was supposed to be enjoying the best of his or her sleep, at 3am.A ravaging fire, as if sent from sheol was devouring everything of value. As a price of war, the only thing they came out with, were their lives. The incident came as a shocking accident, catching everyone off guard. The fire, suspected to have originated from an electrical fault, consumed valuable possessions such as laptops, clothing items, blankets, academic certificates and identification documents. The emotional trauma experienced by our students is unimaginable, and its impact on their academic pursuits cannot be overstated.
Recognizing the profound consequences of this unfortunate event, Mr. Evans Musara, the esteemed Principal of Kwekwe Polytechnic, took swift action. He authorized the Dean of Students, Mr. Dube, to spearhead a resource mobilization campaign aimed at assisting the affected students. An appeal for donations was extended to the entire Kwekwe Polytechnic community, including staff, students, and well-wishers beyond the institution's boundaries. The response to this call for help was overwhelming. Generous contributions poured in from all corners, reflecting the compassion and solidarity of the Kwekwe Polytechnic family. Donations included essential food items, warm blankets, toiletries, and a substantial amount of monetary support. The collective effort raised an impressive sum of USD$306, R120, and RTGS 22,200.
To ensure transparency and accountability, Mr. Dube, in collaboration with the Accountant and Ms. Halegwa, the dedicated Warden, organized a special donation handover ceremony. This meaningful event took place on Thursday, the 27th of March 2024, at Hostel A.
Kasa Gives A Helping Hand To Kwekwe Polytechnic
Nass Department Donates To Gokwe North Hospital
On the 12th of September 2024, Kwekwe Polytechnic, through students and staff in the NASS Department donated an assortment of goods to Gokwe North Hospital. These comprised of; 55 blankets, 2 duvets, and 50 several pillow cases.
The Acting District Medical Officer, Ms Mapangire received the donation which was of high quality with joy. Speaking at the same occasion, Mr Manyadza the HOD NASS Department stressed that their desire is to groom graduates who are not only patriotic, but who are also responsible by considering the next person. The students gathered the items by voluntarily sparing the little they have so as to help those in need. This resonates well with the fundamental values of the Ubuntu philosophy which are embedded in some old adages and idioms such as umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu, kandiro kanoyenda kunobva kamwe, chirere chigokurerawo, chara chimwe hachitswanye inda etc.
Visit to Gokwe North Hospital
