A good teacher makes all the difference

Kuda Vana’s school year is coming to a close - in Zimbabwe, the new school year begins in January. Recently, one of our primary school teachers reflected on the progress one of her students had made. Fadzai is 11 years old, and has been living at Kuda Vana since she was an infant. She has overcome many health challenges, and has a strong, energetic character.

“I started teaching Fadzai in May 2017. Our first encounters with each other were not that pleasant as she was a cheeky student who would not be told what to do either by the teacher or any other student.

Fadzai showed signs of intelligence, but her work did not reflect it. As I was still new to her, I didn’t know the real cause of her not performing to standard. Sometimes I thought it was due to her background of attending a school where they were not given full attention and love. (Prior to the launch of Kuda Vana’s primary school, our students attended the local public school where many of them were bullied by teachers and students due to their status as orphans).

Madame Esther and Fadzai have come a long way together

It was in 2019 when I started to see a real change in Fadzai. I had given some poems to the pupils to memorize and recite. She came out to be the best. She has so much confidence in herself. This is when I told myself that I had a bright students whom I was supposed to work extra hard to bring the best out of her.

Fadzai proudly recites a poem she wrote - her teacher says this was the turning point in her becoming a confident, hardworking student!

Fadzai has been working hard ever since then. This year “2020” she proved me right. She is now the second best student among all of the fifth graders. I am happy because of her improvement. She has improved academically and socially as well. She helps others in class and maintains order in class and assembly.

I believe that her future is bright and God is going to help her dreams come true.”

- Madame Esther, 3rd-8th grade teacher