By Kenneth Mareya
The Diocese of Chinhoyi recently converged to celebrate yet another milestone of the official opening of two institutions Our Lady of Perpetual Help Primary School in Brundish and the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM) Life Care Centre Clinic in Rujeko. The journey for the construction of the school started some three years ago with a ground-breaking ceremony that was held at the school site led by the Honourable Vice President Dr. Chiwenga. Two four class roomed blocks are completed and a third block is now at roof level and will be completed soon. The school which opened its doors in the beginning of this year’s school calendar with its pioneer group of grades ECD A up to grade 5 now has an enrolment of up to 210 pupils.
In a speech read on his behalf by the guest of honour the Minister of State for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs & Devolution Hon Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, the Hon Vice President Dr C.D.N.G Chiwenga congratulated the Diocese of Chinhoyi led by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Raymond Mupandasekwa and his team for completing the first phase of the school that was constructed in the most difficult times of Covid 19 induced lock downs. Vice President Chiwenga, also acknowledged the role of the church in providing quality education and health service in the country. He thanked the Roman Catholic Church for its unwavering support in the development of the country.
In his maiden speech, Bishop Mupandasekwa expressed his gratitude to various stakeholders for the support given to the church in the construction of the two institutions.
“We are grateful for the assistance we have received from your office Hon Mliswa and from the office of the Vice President Cde Chiwenga. We are grateful having received assistance from the office of the Vice President through the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) who gave us artisans for the construction of the school together with Maedza Construction,” Bishop Mupandasekwa said.
He also appreciated the support received from CMED in the first phase of construction.
Bishop Mupandasekwa thanked all the funding partners including the American Bishops Conference, the Papal Foundation for financially supporting the initiative and the religious communities working in Chinhoyi Diocese for rallying behind the project.
Bishop Mupandasekwa explained that the Diocese of Chinhoyi, was committed to provide excellent educational facilities in the diocese. He said the diocese was already looking forward to the construction of Our Lady of Perpetual Help High School in 2023.
The Bishop acknowledged the role played by the RSHM sisters in the diocese saying they continue to inspire development at different levels of the local church.
“The RSHM Sisters have led the way not only in the construction of this school but in the construction of the Clinic. Thank you for that very important addition to the life of the community here in Chinhoyi,” he said.