The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa
Chipinge Correspondent
GRADE Seven pupils from Gudyanga Primary School recently proved that philanthropic work knows no age after they raised money and built a house for an 89-year-old widow.
Having been inspired by lessons drawn from a topic in their Family, Religious and Moral Education subject, the class of 37 pupils raised $950 and US$37 for the project.
They used the funds to buy cement for the construction of the one-roomed house while the community stepped in with bricks.
Having been inspired by the pupils’ determination to provide decent shelter for Gogo Erica Mumera, their class teacher, Mr Nicholas Chinyanya, chipped in with additional resources, resulting in the fruition of the project.
The house was handed over to Gogo.
Mumera last week on Saturday and she could not hide her joy.
Before the pupils’ intervention, Gogo Mumera was sharing a hovel with her two orphaned grandchildren, Leon, a Grade Seven pupil and Auditor, a Grade Two pupil.
Their other hut was destroyed by Cyclone Charlene when it hit the area early this year.
An elated Gogo Mumera said: “I am a TB patient and my advanced age cannot allow me to do labour intensive work. At times, I have to force myself to work for plot holders at Gudyanga Irrigation Scheme to put food on the table for my grandchildren.
“My other hut was damaged by the heavy rains which fell in this area early this year, thereby forcing my grandchildren and l to share one hut.”
She added: “I was shocked when Mr Chinyanya broke the news that together with his pupils, they wanted to build a house for us. Their promise has come to fruition. I am at a loss of words.”
In an interview, Mr Chinyanya said, “As a class, we agreed to put what we learnt during a Family, Religious and Moral Education lesson into practice. Everyone was agreeable to the idea to construct a house for Gogo Mumera.
“The pupils contributed whatever they could afford. We identified the site where the house was to be built with the assistance of the local builder we engaged. The pupils also volunteered their labour during the construction of the house,” he said.
“After realising my pupils’ determination to ensure the completion of the house, I had to chip in with more building material. The only outstanding thing on this project is the money we owe the builder,” said Mr Chinyanya.
Those willing to assist Gogo Mumera can contact Mr Chinyanya on 0772805828
