US micro-scholarship program participants commemorate Day of the African Child
Bulawayo, July, 2013: 40 Zimbabwean students drawn from economically disadvantaged backgrounds used the belated Day of the African Child commemorations last Saturday to showcase their accomplishments through the U.S. Embassy sponsored English Access Microscholarship program being piloted in two centers in Bulawayo.
Cathy Hurst, with Sibongile Mbanje (left), Nqobani and Virginia
The English Access Microscholarship program is being implemented by the Hope for a Child in Christ (HOCIC) in Bulawayo and has two cohorts based in Nkulumane & Entumbane townships. The kids took turns to recite African and American poetry laced with marimba and acapella music drawing cheers from the audience that comprised students and teachers from three schools – Mpopoma, Magwegwe and Luveve Secondary School.
“I had no idea that the speeches and poems were going to be so beautiful;” remarked Cathy Hurst, a senior diplomat at the United States Embassy who witnessed the event held the Percy Ibbotson Center for Boys in Magwegwe, Bulawayo. “It’s exciting for us to hear how far an investment goes to help young people achieve their very best.”
The two-year long English Access Microscholarship Program (Access) provides a foundation of English language skills to talented 13-20 year-olds from economically disadvantaged sectors through after-school classes and intensive sessions. Access gives participants English skills that may lead to better jobs and educational prospects. Participants also gain the ability to compete for and participate in future exchanges and study in the United States. Since its inception in 2004, approximately 95,000 students in more than 85 countries have participated in the Access Program.
In Zimbabwe, the program is being implemented in three centers – two in Bulawayo and one in Harare’s Chiedza Child Care Center. The program covers 65 children most of whom live in low-income households.
A huge component of the curriculum allows the students to also learn about American culture and values. “We use monthly themes such as Black History Month and Fourth of July Independence Day commemorations as a yardstick to promote understanding of American culture, and over time, the kids their confidence levels have increased. They can present in front of their peers,” said Sibongile Mbjanje, one of the two teachers for the Bulawayo-based program.
She said since the program started in September last year, it had managed to overcome some challenges faced as a result of dropouts due to religious beliefs caused by the groups’ Saturday meetings. “However, for every dropout we have managed to find a replacement and so far we have received a lot of support from parents,” said Ms. Mbanje.
“I have improved my composition writing skills and poetry. I now pay attention to global issues when I watch the news. I have to achieve more, I want to improve my English,” said Virginia Ncube, (15) of Mpopoma High School.
Another student, Nqobani Siwela (15), said his participation in the program had enhanced his writing skills. “We have learned that there is Thanksgiving Day and on July 4 we went to the library to see how Americans celebrate their Independence Day,” said Nqobani who is doing his O levels at Ihlathi High School in Matebeleland North.
The Day of the African Child draws attention to the need of eliminating harmful social and cultural practices affecting children. It is usually a commemoration to recall the 1976 uprisings in Soweto, when a protest by school children in South Africa against apartheid-inspired education resulted in the public killing of these unarmed young protesters by police officials.- ZimPAS © July 18, 2013
