A BARNSLEY cricket club who donated kit to children in Zimbabwe have continued to support them after hearing many are facing the possibility of starvation due to the lockdown.
Rockingham Colliery Cricket Club – whose former players Stuart Matsikenyere and Tony Munyonga hail from the country – travelled to Zimbabwe earlier this year, where they visited St Aidan’s Primary School with bags of kit and new outdoor nets.
With Zimbabwe – a deprived nation with high rates of poverty – in full lockdown, club members decided to further their support for the community around the school, which sits in Chitungwiza near the capital city Harare.
Vice chairman Richard Skipworth said: “You often hear of these stories on the news, but this is real, we know these people and they have become our friends.
“We managed to get a relatively modest amount of money through to our ex-player Tony Munyonga, and he was able to purchase some essentials for the poorer families in the community.
“It is always incredibly humbling when we speak with people from the Chitungwiza community and they have been incredibly grateful for the support.
“Since our visit, we have been trying to help out with some cricket equipment, but this is a very different and difficult scenario.
“It is great that our Rockingham CCC members are able and willing to support.”
With the money, Tony bought 13 families rice, mealie meal – a type of coarse flour – and sadza, a local staple food.
St Aidan’s cricket team have also joined the club in taking part in online coaching sessions run by local cricket coach Chris Schofield.
“The children have really enjoyed following the coaching classes, keeping fit and practising their cricket skills, at home,” added Richard.
“The club would like to thank Chris for including St Aidan’s in his ten-week coaching programme.”
