The GCF Zimbabwe team is thrilled to share some exciting updates from the heart of Zimbabwe. As many of us may know, Zimbabwe has long been celebrated for its impressive literacy rates.  However, recent economic challenges, exacerbated by the global pandemic, have taken a toll on the country’s education sector. But together, we are turning the page and writing a new chapter!

 

In response to the crisis, GCF has introduced 30 sets of reading schemes (per school) —each set comprising 10 engaging and structured books—to the eager young minds at Ngamo, Chidobe, St. Marys, and Mizpah Primary Schools. These reading schemes, known as Sunrise Readers, are locally produced treasures tailored for early childhood education in English. With character-building stories and a vocabulary build-up relevant to the children’s environment, the Sunrise Readers are set to ignite a passion for reading among students. The reception from our primary schools has been nothing short of joyous! Here is a heartwarming note from the headmaster of Chidobe Primary School: “Chidobe Primary School would like to express its deepest gratitude towards the donation of the reading material you made. Sunrise Readers have long been trusted for improving literacy and comprehension levels in primary school learners. It is also our sincere hope that this consignment will leave our learners at a better level. Thank you, Grand Circle Foundation, for your generous support and commitment. Money collected from our school levies alone could not manage to purchase such material/books. You are truly a partner in education. Thank you once again for your
unwavering support.”

The impact of these reading schemes extends beyond numbers and statistics—it transforms lives.  Through this structured approach to reading, we hope to soon see improvements in literacy levels and invigorated teaching methods. Improved literacy is not just about reading and writing; it’s a gateway to better academic performance across all subjects and a brighter future for our students.

To ensure that our efforts create lasting change, we will evaluate success through several lenses: improved grades and comprehension abilities among students; ensuring that teachers and students alike have access to necessary learning tools; and capturing the voices of those directly impacted to adapt and improve our approach. We are immensely grateful to everyone who make this mission possible. Each book, each lesson, and each smile is a testament to the power of education and community spirit.