Zimbabwe, like many other African countries, is a country with a young population – the average is 18.5 years. (The one in Switzerland 48.5!) Where there are many children, there are also many schools needed.

You find them all over the country and often in places where you wonder whether they are needed. Yes, it is needed, as the many students we meet every day prove. And we have the strong impression that they are more motivated to go to school than the students in Switzerland! Whenever you meet them, you can see them laughing as they wave at us. In contrast to many other places, you are not asked for sweets here. The pupils want to show that they are learning English: «How are you doing» or «We wish you a nice day». Those who don’t speak English very well just say «Hello».

We come across primary and secondary schools every day. They are always large brick buildings covered with corrugated iron. If you look inside, you can see many chairs, desks and a blackboard. In many cases, the outside of the schools is decorated with a colored ABC. Like the school that we came across a few days ago in the tea plantation area.

PS: If you want to know more about Zimbabwe’s school system, read here.