Hard work pays

 By Luumuno Siangoma Mudenda
 

Life illuminates for the 17year old aspiring magistrate.Although life had a lot of obstacles, he however managed to overcome them with help from good Samaritans who made it possible for him to be where he is now. Being the first born in a family of three, raised by a single mother, life was not easier for him. Payment of School fees was a challenge to Benevolence Ngwenya but determination and hard work made him to be selected as a beneficiary under Firelight Foundation program under Basilwizi Trust. He managed to be the one of the few individuals who excelled with good pass rate,Ndebele A, Commerce A, History A, Religious Studies A, Agriculture B, English C, Integrated Science C, Literature C and Geography C .

“I believe I was chosen because I worked hard in my school work and showed determination when it came to academics that is why I think my community chose me” says Benevolence Ngwenya.

Benevolence in his "|A" level classroom

Before the scholarship, life was not easier for Benevolence. Although he was doing well in terms of school work, there was room for him to do better. Stress of being chased away from school for lack of payment deteriorated his pass rate. However this soon changed.

‘’When I became a beneficiary ,life became easier for me, I no longer had stress of payment of fees, accommodation and grocery since I was in boarding, this really was stress free and gave me time to read  hence that explains the reason for my ‘O’ level academic achievements, he continues .

Benevolence greatly appreciate his mentor Mr.Ndlovu who had been there for him and who should take all the credit for these achievements.He was the one who instilled confidence and leadership qualities in Benevolence.

“I would like to say a big thank you to Mr. Ndlovu the Project Officer, as he is the one who made me realize my potential and who made me realize that it was possible to be who I want to be ,with determination and hard work. I remember he used to visit me almost once a month, bringing me the basic things I would use at school. On those visits he would advise me, encouraging me to work hard to be a better person. Indeed I would like to say a big thank you, I would not have done it without him’’ he says.

“To the donors, I am really grateful for assisting me financially when it came to school fess, it is you who made my future to look bright and I hope you continue assisting other pupils who have financial constraints like me” says Benevolence.

Unfortunately, the 17 year old still finds himself in financial constrain yet again, this is mainly because the benefits only ended at “0”level and did not continue to “A” level which he is currently doing. However the grinding mill at his community which was contributed by Basilwizi does assist in payment of his fees.

Benevolence in front of Binga high Administration office

“The grinding mill pays school fees to a lot of children who are orphans including me however, the money being generated is not enough to accommodate everyone, so they give me $100 every term which I am really grateful but it is not enough as it would have $271 shortfall making it hard for me to  pay the outstanding money ,I do not know where I am going to get the money for next year but I really hope to finish my “A” so I can achieve my dream,” says a smiling Benevolence.

Women's Day Celebrated in Style

By Luumuno S. Mudenda

Binga women celebrated in style the women’s day commemoration celebrated and hosted in Kariangwe ward 15. This event is a day to commemorate and recognize the achievements of women and to raise awareness for the social, economic as well as political equality of women around the whole world regardless of nationality, culture and language of people. “Linking women to markets: changing the face of Development through Zim-Asset” was the theme of the commemoration.

Empowerment of women

By Luumumo S. Mudenda

Socially man are considered to be more superior to women, they control the property, productive assets and have the final say in economic decisions. This has led to women being submissive and docile to the patriarchal nature of society. Projects like Self-Help Groups (SHG) implemented by Basilwizi in Sinampande, Nagangala and Sinansengwe, come to intervene to this injustice by showing women that they can help and uplift themselves without depending on anyone hence eliminating the dependency syndrome.

WOMEN PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP - TALES OF RESILIENCE

By Luumuno S. Mudenda

This provides a synopsis of the women’s photography training workshop held on the 15^th to the 19^th of April at Siachilaba ward 10. The workshop was facilitated by Calvin Dondo, Annie Mpalume, Tina Aver, Andreas Mayrhoter and Tim with support from Basilwizi’s intern Luumuno Siangoma Mudenda.

Fashion & Style With Luu

Talking Beauty and Style with Luumuno

IS ARTIFICIAL BEAUTY WORTH IT?

Bleaching has become an in-thing today in modern society. Women have spent lots of money on beauty products than they spend on food and clothing. Apparently they have decided that the lighter one gets, the more beautiful one becomes.

Dreadful Cockroft Bridge

By Luumuno Siangoma Mudenda and Jacob Mumpande

Cockcroft bridge at Siachilaba is one of the most dangerous and hazardous bridge in Zimbabwe. It is named after Ivor Gwynn Cockcroft, who was District Commissioner for Binga and Gokwe during the colonial era. Mr. Cockcroft pioneered the construction of the road from Binga to Kamativi.

 

Bridge has a big pothole and several accidents have happened here

The bridge is very narrow and it does not have any continuous supporting pillars and guides which by law is one of the mandatory requirements when constructing bridges.  The sight of plane-ended surface induces panic among many drivers. To make matters worse when descending from the direction of Kamativi, the bridge has got a pothole which poses a hazard at the entrance having the ability to make a vehicle to lose control and slip into the river. 

 

The bridge allows passage of one car at a time. Motorist and villagers alike have noted this with concern that it is not safe considering the fact that school children use the same bridge when going to school.

Informed Community; Empowered Citizen

Basilwizi; good deed inseparable ...says Community

By Luumuno Siangoma Mudenda and Jacob Mumpande

Binga community appreciates all who contributed effort to the origins of Basilwizi Trust. The organization has done a all in helping remote areas in the district especially when it comes to information dissemination. It has trained 14 "citizen journalist", opened media clubs, through the club they now produce newsletters and consistently supply newspapers weekly.

"Did you hear about that?" News consumers seem to be saying at Siachilaba  B/Center

Academically we are benefiting from the project as we are now improved in English Language, owing to great exposure to newspapers", said Everjoy Muleya, a student at Pashu high.

People in the community are very pleased with the weekly distribution of newspapers and are now updated with current events.