Latter-Day Saints Transform Zim Schools, Championi...

Latter-Day Saints Transform Zim Schools, Championing Quality Education

Oscar J Jeke- Zim Now Reporter

On a quiet morning in September 2024, Runyararo Peace Government Primary School opened its doors to students in a scene that reflected more hope than infrastructure. Led by Acting Head Mrs. N. Chimwara, the school began with 19 teachers catering to students from ECD B to Grade 6.

Each of the school’s 425 initial learners attended class inside one of three rented tents.

With no access to piped water and relying on two hired mobile toilets for both students and staff, the school community depended on purchased water to fill its 5,000-liter tank.

Mrs. Chimwara described the early days as a period of “endurance,” facing a month without basic amenities.

Just one year later, the scene is a dramatic transformation. The school's enrollment has surged to 727 students, and what was once a site of temporary structures is now nearing completion as a proper school campus.

This profound change is thanks to a generous intervention from the Latter-Day Saints Church, whom Mrs. Chimwara gratefully calls “our donors.”

The church's donation, aimed at addressing the urgent need for classroom space and facilities, included the construction of five permanent classroom blocks, each comprising two classrooms and two teachers’ offices.

An ablution block for both boys and girls was also built, finally replacing the costly temporary facilities. The school has expanded its offerings to include students from ECD A to Grade 7.

While the project is nearing completion, the school still faces a challenge with inadequate furniture, forcing some learners to sit on the bare ground. Despite this, the community anticipates the official opening of the school at the end of September.

“We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to God and acknowledge the generous support of the Latter-Day Saints Church, our donors,” said Mrs. Chimwara.

The church’s impact extends beyond a single campus. At a separate event, the Latter-Day Saints Church donated a state-of-the-art Early Childhood Development block at Warren Park 1 Primary School.

This significant gift, valued at over US$59,000, included modern ablution facilities, solar power worth over US$12,000, and new tables and chairs for both teachers and students.

Auxilia Sahondo, the school head at Warren Park 1, expressed deep gratitude for the donation and the church’s commitment to the development of young pupils, thanking the minister for gracing the event and praising the church “for its huge show of love in the development of school pupils, especially ECDs.”

At the event, Elder Denelson Silva, President of the Latter-Day Saints Church, highlighted the spiritual motivation behind their efforts, stating, “We do what we do because it is right and what is required by the Lord Jesus Christ. The children are the future, and we want to aid them in their development.”

Echoing this sentiment, Minister Moyo praised the church's actions, noting that they were “doing wonders in assisting government build the country.”

He highlighted how such initiatives directly support national goals of reducing the student-teacher ratio and advancing the ‘education for all’ policy.

The Minister concluded by expressing appreciation for the church’s role in pursuing Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Vision 2063, noting that because of such efforts, “Zimbabwe is moving towards the attainment of these goals.”

The church’s efforts are a powerful testament to community-driven strides being made towards a more educated and prosperous future.