By Sifelani Murambiwa.
Zimbabwe. (News Of The South) – Zimbabwe Sugar Milling Industry Workers Union ZISMWU last week launched the inaugural Annual Tertiary Education Scholarship package which is set to benefit children of union members.
The development comes a week after seven girls from Hippo Valley Secondary School drafted a lucrative business in which they wanted funds to open a restaurant with the goal to finance their tertiary education.
Addressing guests during the launch, ZISMIWU Secretary General Ardmore Hwarare said he was moved towards creating a tertiary education scholarship after receiving a letter from seven Form 6 female students at Hippo Valley Secondary School who were explaining their desire to open a restaurant as a measure to raise funds for their tertiary education.
Hwarare who is in charge of the 16 000 member workers union said the union’s executive saw it wise to buy into the girls idea as they had trusted in them capacity to help its members.
“We received a letter which encompassed seven names of girls all from Hippo Valley Secondary School and they were asking for capital so that they would open a restaurant in a bid to raise money for their university education. As Zismiwu our executive was however surprised by the motive behind these girls and we saw it wise to call them for a meeting and brainstorm towards finding a better, sustainable and lucrative initiative which would help them fast.
“We asked for their parents so that we could discuss about their children’s unique proposals. Unfortunately, two of them dropped from the project and we continued with five girls. We resolved that we will avail $1000 for each student’s tuition, a laptop and pocket money for their first semester.
“We will then avail 100 broiler chicken birds, feeds and vaccines and constructing proper breeding places and we will hand over to parents who should then administer the projects for on
behalf of the child whilst we take the next group,” said Hwarare.
Girls who branded the scholarship idea are Nyasha Chikunguru, Shamiso Masunungure, Epiphania Nyasha, Eltina Chiganda, Regina Masungwini, Alertah Marima and Shanean Chibetsa.
The development however comes to strengthen ZISMIWU’s community participation evidenced by their continued support to the less privileged.
Early this year the union donated office equipment worth, generators and motor bikes worth $34 000 to Chiredzi Police Station whilst Chingele Children’s in Chiredzi East Constituency received a facelift worth $11 000.
The parents of the five girls however thanked the union for its support whilst vowing that they will look after their children’s chicken projects carefully.
“This came as a surprise that a child would just look into the family’s financial position and decide to look for external funding way before finishing his examinations. This shows that these girls are looking ahead.
Please don’t disappoint us, don’t get into early marriages, focus on your school work and we will look after your projects very well in your absence,” said Tobius Magaisa one of the parents.
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