Choose a child to sponsor here...

Background
    In our March 2000 request for lightweight school supplies, over 40 pounds of pencils, pens, erasers and rulers were donated. With Cosmas Magaya's help, these supplies have found their way into the primary and secondary school to supplement the supplies that parents must provide and a few special items for teachers.

    In our March 2000 interviews with village residents and the headmaster, we learned that 20 children in secondary school share 1 textbook and 75% of the children can not pay the school fees for schooling. The pattern that appeared in the survey results was that the families with many children most always could pay their fees; this challenged the preconceived stereo type that adults with large families become unable to take care of themselves. After reviewing the situation, an effort was made to set up scholarships for children unable to pay school fees, as well as upgrade the teaching materials available.

Why Sponsor a Child?
    There is no "free" education in Zimbabwe. There is no legal requirement for a child to attend school. All parents desperately want their children to go to school because they know that it drastically changes their children's future. Education gives them the knowledge, skills, and abilities to compete in their livelihood, and the personal power to relate to an ever-changing world. Unfortunately, due to poverty, some parents are unable to pay the school fees.

    In our interview with the headmaster of one of the schools in Mhondoro where children attend from the adopted villages, he explained that children walk many kilometers to come to school even when they haven't paid their fees. He said they aren't too harsh on the children, but they do have to send them back home. Most of these children continue to return regularly, hoping to learn.

Teaching Materials
    Nhimbe for Progress is working to upgrade the school resources as well. When we learned that in secondary school, 20 children maybe sharing 1 textbook, it was clear that there is a desperate need for textbooks and library books. If you are interested in donating to this part of the program, your tax-deductible donation helps to purchase books there to be part of the library. Shipping books from here hasn’t proved to be practical due to shipping costs. If you have books to donate, please contact us. When traveling to Zimbabwe, volunteers carry school supplies and teaching materials, so the costs are reduced. Let us know if you're interested.


Cost of Sponsorships
    School fees are paid annually in January in Zimbabwe. We will be seeking the educational sponsorship donations in October/November each year. We plan to send a picture of each child to the sponsor, as well as ask the children to write and tell us about themselves. For us to help send a child of any age to school, it costs $35 per year.

    In recent interviews with village residents, we found that 75% of the children need financial assistance to pay school fees. Uniforms are a compulsory part of the school system in Zimbabwe, although they are often overlooked for the poorer child. $5 of our sponsorship fee goes to buying the fabric for the uniform, and the parent barters for the services to have the uniform made by a newly started uniform cooperative. We want to help Zimbabweans in their desire to improve the face of the rural lifestyle, and education is a major key. If you can find it in your budget:

Please mail check with this form to: ANCIENT WAYS, P.O. BOX 346, SCIO, OR 97374 (Download and print PDF form here)

Every Child in School!     Nhimbe for Progress & Jangano

Name___________________________________________

(Name as it appears for tax deduction)

Address_________________________________________

City/ST/Zip______________________________________

Phone day/Eve___________________________________

E-mail __________________________________________

# of Children to help (______) x $35=_____________

Teaching Materials Donation ____________=_______

Please make check to ANCIENT WAYS: total $_______

• Please send information on Serpentine Stone Sculptures for sale.
• Please send information on Nhimbe for Progress.
• Please send information on Zimbabwean Music Classes.
• I would like to volunteer to help with Nhimbe for Progress.

TATENDA! (THANK YOU!)

ANCIENT WAYS P.O. BOX 346 SCIO, OR 97374