Marythar Kambinda
Katima Mulilo - The ‘Zambezi Drop a Pair’ initiative, which was started in January 2023, has been of great help to some learners in the region who are in dire need of school shoes.
The initiative was started from the office of the chief regional officer with the support of the Zambezi Regional Council, and has so far received over 200 pairs of school shoes.
Zambezi chief regional officer (CRO) Regina Ndopu-Lubinda said the initiative came about after the regional leadership visited some of the schools in the region, and realised that most of the learners did not have proper uniforms or proper school shoes.
“We noted that most of our learners walk long distances to reach schools, some as young as pre-primary learners walking on uneven surfaces. That’s how we came about to start donating shoes to those vulnerable learners within the region,” she added.
Ndopu-Lubinda said they went as far as mobilising various communities and businesses within the region to support the initiate.
“In terms of how we identify learners, most of the schools are those in the rural areas; that’s where we have most of our vulnerable learners. We have discussions with the directorate of education to also give us feedback on those schools where they take note of learners
who are in need,” she elaborated.
The public relations officer is the key coordinator who drops off the donated items to schools, while the identification and distribution to vulnerable learners is done through the Life Skills’ teachers at a particular school.
“We do the actual donation to the learners to avoid any bureaucracy by ensuring that the learners fit in their shoes before they are handed over on the same day, as we really need every cent to go towards buying these shoes,” Ndopu-Lubinda noted.
The initiative is furthermore a way of encouraging communities and public servants to learn the spirit of giving.
“We are quite happy that most of the donations have come from public servants and heads of department, who have come through.”
The ‘Zambezi Drop a Pair’ initiative focuses on school shoes, but the office has also received school uniforms, bags and stationery. “The key focus for us has been to ensure that we have enough pairs of shoes, but we are open to other items, so long as that item can help a school learner,” the CRO said.
She further called on people to buy the shoes themselves instead of giving money, and to drop off the items at her office or through the PRO.
“I would like to sincerely thank the individuals who have come through in terms of their donations as well as the companies, regional staff members and councillors who have come through.
“A lot of people always talk about government coming in, but we as citizens can also do our bid. As much as we do not have anything, just
one pair can make a difference. We are very impressed with some who earn much less but who came through with a pair or two,” she continued.
The initiative has thus far collected 236 pairs of shoes, and donated 150 pairs to 10 schools in the region. It is set to end at the end of this month, but Ndopu-Lubinda encouraged those who would like to make further donations to still come through.
“We might start the initiative again next year so that it can be a consistent and regular initiative. But for now, we really thought it would be ideal to intensify these donations up to the end of the month,”, she added.