31 Aug 2020

Members of the community in Jackalas 2 in the North East District have donated a photocopying machine worth P43 000 to the village’s primary school.

Speaking during a handover ceremony recently, Jackalas 2 outreach committee chairperson, Mr Joseph Toitoi, stated that the idea was born from the need to give back to the school that raised them.

He said close to 200 individuals contributed funds towards purchase of the machine.

Mr Toitoi indicated that reading on the chalk board was a challenge for learners with visual impairment.

He said with a photocopier, every learner would be issued their own exam or study material printed on a paper, which would make learning stress-free.

He highlighted that it was every person’s responsibility to give patronage to the village that raised them thereby showing how proud they were to be raised in the village.

Mr Toitoi said it was amazing to see how people of Jackalas 2 had united towards this social responsibility even though they were scattered around the country.

North East District chief education officer, Ms Angela Matlhape, stated that learners were writing their mock exams and the copier came in handy since they would duplicate inadequate examination papers.

Ms Matlhape indicated that North East District schools were performing exceptionally well because of the efforts from both teachers and the community.

She urged Jackalas 2 Primary School to utilise the machine efficiently and also take care of it for their benefit.

Ms Matlhape thanked all those who contributed for the copier.

The school head, Mr Charles Digate, highlighted that the school had been experiencing examination paper shortage of which they had to ask other schools to duplicate material for them.

He highlighted that he believed the machine would improve results because learners would have abundant learning material.

He thanked the community for the donation, saying government did not have funds for everything, therefore it was important that the community helped whenever they could.

Mr Digate said the photocopier was a long lasting legacy for the school since it would touch the lives of learners.

Siviya ward councilor, Mr Bakani Badzili, applauded all who contributed stating that it was a great gesture to invest back into the community that raised them.

He highlighted that this was a gesture worth to be emulated in all the sectors because no other person would come from another village to assist Jackalas 2 people.

Councillor Badzili stated that communication and consultation by the team leaders of the project was impressive since they utilised social media to connect every stakeholder who contributed.

He said it was important to take charge as a community and engage in community building project instead of waiting for government to do everything for them. ENDs