By far the most ambitious project that ZRSDP has undertaken is the transformation of Peace and Good Hope primary school in Bulawayo.
When we were introduced to Peace and Good Hope Primary School they had no standard classrooms. The children who often had to walk 10kms to arrive to school, learned in mud huts or under trees. The school is located in a rural settlement and was established in 2002 to cater for the newly resettled farmers. The school only had 5 benches and 6 desks for the whole student population. The students had to do their learning and writing while sitting on sacks they bring from home. The school had only 4 Blair toilets. Two toilets are for the 200 pupils and two for the teachers.
The community had tried to build some proper building structures for the students but, due to it being a poor community, the buildings had been left unfinished. The Bulilima District Education Office, who introduced us to the school authorities, were very keen to get help for the school. ZRSDP committed over 40,000 GBP to build classroom blocks, toilets, administration blocks, a borehole and teachers’ accommodation.
Work began in December 2015 and the transformation was complete by the end of 2016. This was by far our biggest project to date. Support was given by AusAid to help fund the boreholes and stock the furniture in the classrooms. The school now has over 240 students, a full quota of teachers and the results have already borne fruit with over 40% passing their final exams up from 7% previously.