Roaming around the streets because of a lack of study fees will be a thing of the past for some youths in the Mutale Municipal area. The Madzivhanani, Tshidongololwe & Tshithuthuni (MTT) Youth Development Focus held its annual fundraising session to raise funds for indigent youths on Friday night at Tshidongololwe Primary School.

The institution had already started awarding bursaries to indigent learners in January last year. The bursaries cater for primary school kids, high school learners and tertiary students.

MTT’s coordinator, Thiathi Ravhura, explained why the non-profit institution was formed. "We felt there is a need to start a fund that will assist indigent learners to further their education. This community is feeling the heavy burden of poverty, unemployment and illiteracy. Apart from assisting the three villages, MTT will also extend its services to the whole of Mutale area as soon as we raise enough funds," Ravhura said MTT will organize other fundraising activities in the near future and urged the community to support them.

Ravhura added: "During their strategic meeting, the youths also agreed to have four workshops on HIV/AIDS and two workshops on career guidance during the year. They also resolved that they needed to be equipped with leadership, problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills." Ravhura urged all youths of Mutale to join MTT for their own benefit. "This institution is meant to develop young members of society and membership is free. Although joining is voluntary and no registration fee is needed, we will be happy to have more youths joining us in this venture to fight illiteracy."

Ravhura said MTT had conducted several fundraising activities in the past to beef up their financial standing. "Last year, we awarded bursaries to five indigent learners, two of whom are studying in tertiary institutions and three are high school learners. We thank Dr Nkhelebeni Phaswana of Kalahari Booksellers for his unending support towards MTT’s development." Ravhura openly admitted that MTT is in serious financial straits and needs assistance. Members of the community who would like to know more about MTT or make financial contributions can contact Ravhura at 082 417 4427.

During the function, well-known local community builder and motivational speaker Sarah Avhashoni spoke to the youths about the importance of education.