ambezi Crescent is deeply committed to making a positive impact, particularly in the lives of those who are less privileged. As part of Zambezi Crescent’s support and assistance to the community living in Zambezi National Park, the company established a preschool in 2018 that currently caters to the educational needs of 28 children whose parents work in the park.
One learner at Zambezi Crescent Preschool has captured the hearts of teachers, peers, and the entire Zambezi Crescent team. His name is Desire – a bright and energetic boy who was born with a physical challenge that severely affects his mobility, rendering him unable to use his legs from the waist down.
This challenge, however, does not deter Desire from wanting to make the best of his circumstances. His thirst for knowledge and passion for learning is remarkable, and he is one of the valued learners at Zambezi Crescent Preschool. By providing a safe and nurturing environment for the children, the preschool enables the parents employed in the park to focus on their work without worrying about their children’s well-being or providing them with a great start to their educational journey.
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Zambezi Crescent is dedicated to the education of all the children and giving them the best possible start to education and Desire is no different, said Zambezi Crescent Portfolio’s Group Manager in Zimbabwe, Casey Bennett.
“We firmly believe that every child deserves the best possible opportunities for learning and growth, regardless of their circumstances. We are aware of the challenges faced by children with disabilities in accessing education, and we are determined to make a difference in Desire’s life and ensure that education does not become yet another obstacle for him,” said Casey.
At Zambezi Crescent, a commitment to social responsibility is deeply ingrained, driven by the company’s belief that businesses have an obligation to make a positive impact on the communities and land that they operate within. The preschool is just one of the many passionate community and conservation projects we share with guests during their stay at Victoria Falls River Lodge, said Casey.
“We hope that the actions of Zambezi Crescent serve as an inspiration to others in the hospitality and tourism industry. We demonstrate that it is indeed possible to run a successful business while upholding the values of social responsibility and ethical business practices. It is our hope that our endeavours set an example for other companies to follow,” said Casey.
Casey thanked guests and donors who have contributed to the running of the school over the years. “We are at present raising funds to build two rooms onto the school. One of these classrooms will be used as a daytime creche for younger children, and the second classroom will be an additional class for the teachers. We are also in the process of upgrading the children’s playground,” said Casey.
- If you are interested in learning more about Desire and the rest of the children that attend our preschool or wish to learn more about how you can contribute, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or visit our website, where you can view the ‘Wish-List’ to find items that would directly benefit the school. We also donate 10% of all our curio shop sales to the preschool.
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Picture from left are Ropafadzo Nyamvura, Tracy Saveka and Alvin Ngwenya
playing with some of the donated toys.
Zambezi Crescent Preschool recently received a generous donation of toys, books, stationary and other educational material from former Victoria Falls River Lodge guests, Dr Deryck and Rozanne Janse Van Rensburg. The gifts have brought immense joy to the children who learn through play and have been using the toys in their daily lessons and playtime. These toys will greatly assist in the children’s growth and development, according to their teacher, Mrs Tsitsi Muchemwa. A heartfelt thank you from the entire team to Dr Deryck and Rozanne Janse Van Rensburg for their kindness and generosity.