The seven learners sponsored by ICT are going to two different public (state) day schools but because secondary education is not funded by the government, support is needed to cover their school fees. Three students will be sitting for their final high school national ‘A’ level examinations between October and November of this year. 

In 2021 The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education introduced Continuous Assessment Learning Activities (CALA) for examination classes and this year to pre-examination classes. Four of the learners that are being supported are concentrating on doing the CALAs which have become part of the examination requirement by the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC). 

It is encouraging to note the enthusiasm shown by all the supported learners as they feel that they now have hope for a better future through education.

“I am 19 years of age. I am a Form 6 student at Harare High School. Chiedza Child Care Centre has been paying my school fees since 2016. Not only have I had financial support but I have also received social support in the form of guidance and counselling, plus clothes and stationery. I am so grateful to Chiedza as they have helped me to achieve my long term goal of pursuing ‘A’ level courses. I am looking forward to doing a degree in social work at the University of Zimbabwe after sitting my exams.”                                                                                                                  

“My journey from Form 4 to ‘A’ levels. Firstly, I would like to thank Chiedza Child Care Centre for giving me the opportunity to go further with my education. I came here when I was in Form 2 and now I am in Form 5. I don’t know how to express it but I am so glad for the care and support which I have gained from the organisation – I have become ‘someone’ through the centre. I am specialising in arts subjects; including Shona, history and family and religious studies and I am studying at George Stark High School. ‘A’ levels are difficult but the solution is to read widely through this level because if you relax it is easy to fail. When I have finished my education, my dream job is to become a social worker.”