Thundersley school opens new library at Zimbabwe school (From Echo)

Thundersley school opens new library at Zimbabwe school

1:00pm Wednesday 21st November 2012 in Local News By Luke Lambert

Mrs Twomey, Mr Sibanda and the children with their books.

A THUNDERSLEY  school is opening a library at a Zimbabwean school to give the children the education they need.

The Deanes  School on Daws Heath Road has shipped over 5,000 books to Mzinyathini Secondary School, in Esgodini, which is in South West Zimbabwe, meaning the doors to the schools library can finally open. 

The 900 children at the school were set the challenge of each bringing in a book in a 1,000 Book Challenge but instead brought in five times the amount of books.

Anne Twomey, events co-ordinator at the school, said the response from the children had been extraordinary.

“They really took to it. Every single child played a part and they have all helped someone much less fortunate. It is inspirational. In the future we want a partnership to develop that could see school trips to Zimbabwe and see how the library has grown over time.”

Mzinyathini Secondary School, which was founded in 1968, is situated 36km from its nearest city Bulawayo and schools 500 pupils. However, its only funding is through capital grants by the Zimbabwe Government, meaning the empty library is totally devoid of books.

Mrs Twomey, 62, who has visited Africa several times before, said the idea started when she was speaking to her Zimbabwean colleague Sobantu Sibanda.

Mrs Twomey said: “This could revolutionize the lives of the children at this school and lead to a strong partnership in the future. The school are beside themselves with excitement. Many of the children haven’t seen a book before and now 5,000 books will be winging there way to them. I am thrilled we were able to help them in such a way.”

The staff and students have also sent over boxes of toys for Esigodini Hospital next to the school. The children’s hospital, which is close to cities Bulawayo and Mutare, has no toys for the children to play with or take away.

The educational books and toys were sent to Tilbury port on Tuesday where they will make their three week journey to Namibia before being driven by truck to the school. Books sent over include old GCSE English and Maths books, poetry and fiction. They also sent old televisions, DVD players and DVDs that were unused.