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US, local NGO partner to contain child abuse in Shurugwi
US Embassy
March 30, 2012

The United States Embassy and local NGO Tag-A-Life International (TaLI) have partnered in an effort to promote awareness of gender rights, to end child abuse, and to empower young girls by establishing clubs in 40 schools in Shurugwi district in Midlands province.

On Wednesday, United States Ambassador Charles Ray toured Rusununguko High School, where 120 high school students actively participate in TaLI clubs.

"I believe it is very important for young people from all over the country to talk about improving girls' rights and girls' empowerment. That is why the U.S. Embassy partnered with TaLI in bringing training and launching gender and empowerment clubs in Shurugwi, including at this school," said the U.S. Ambassador, who addressed members of the club separately before meeting the rest of the school.

The U.S. Embassy, through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), provided seed funding to Tag-A-Life International (TaLI) to start the clubs in 24 wards. Rusununguko hosted a training for teachers and students from various surrounding schools who wanted to start a club.

"It is at this school that I learned to speak out against abuse of girl children through reporting one of my beloved teachers to the school headmaster. The teacher had attempted to have a relationship with me. As a girl child, I stood for myself and did not suffer any harm as a result," TaLI founder and former student Nyaradzo Mashayamombe told students, teachers and local government officials at the event.

"Today, I speak to Rusununguko and Ndawora (Primary School) that it is up to you to stand up against abuse, against anyone who attempts to take advantage of you as a girl child."

School officials told the visiting U.S. envoy about the success of the club, which was formed in November last year.

"I think I have learned a lot from this myself," said Edius Pongweni, Headmaster at Rusununguko High School. "When TALi was launched, I was not here, but I am happy to learn that our children have been transformed to reflect this new philosophy. It is very heartening that this is happening, and my greatest wish is that we do what has been said so that others will also be transformed positively." The school has an enrolment of nearly 600 students and just under 300 girls.

Ms Chitereka, headmistress at Ndawora Primary School, adjacent to the high school, said they had replicated the club for primary school students.

Club membership started at 28 members most of whom were girls, but with time, the membership grew to 126 and now includes boys, according to Mr Ndoro at science teacher at the school.

However, it was the testimonials from students that told the tale of the situation in the district with some narrating the lure of the gold from nearby gold panners.

"I have a couple of my friends who left school to pursue a career at Chachacha (growth point) as prostitutes," said Wadzanai Marumisa, head girl at the Rusununguko. "As far as I understand, a girl child should be given room for education and not reprimanded for being at school," she added.

"Today Tag-A-Life stands as a solution," noted the school head girl. "Our intention as members of the group is to facilitate learning and exchange of thought for permanent change in life and thought. And our wish is to make the girl child's world a safe one." A male student at the school said the club had helped him appreciate the importance of helping out with household chores such as washing plates, cooking and helping his sister at home.

In his speech to the school, Ambassador Ray gave advice to the boys, "Invest in the women in your life. Your mother fed you; your grandmother told you stories; your sisters helped you get ready for school; and your girlfriend gives you confidence. In the future, I hope your wives, if you get married, will give you support and comfort, while your daughters give you unconditional love," said the U.S. diplomat. "In return, you must support the hopes, dreams and ambitions of all of them. This investment will pay you back huge returns throughout your life.

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