By Archford Chirimudombo
MARONDERA- Last year, it was St Paul’s Mission in Murehwa and this year, it is All Souls Mission in Mutoko who celebrated a century since its establishment.
The church has since been commended by the Government for its stance in transforming communities that they operate in.
All Souls Mission was founded by German Missionaries in 1924 and the school began as a centre of teaching Christianity where evangelisation was combined with education. This then evolved into de-facto schools and despite challenging conditions in which the school was established, the idea was never abandoned despite the fact that many people succumbed to malaria as the environment is mosquito-infested.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga recently officiated at the mission school’s centenary celebrations held at its grounds where he reiterated that Government recognises the critical role the church plays in the society.
“It is a profound honor to join you celebrating hundred years of excellence at All Souls High School. On behalf of the President of Zimbabwe, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, I extend our gratitude for inviting us at this momentous occasion. This milestone not only harness the enduring leaders of education in our community but also reflects the values instilled in each generation that has walked through this esteemed institution.”
The Vice President added that the government recognised and cherished the role the Roman Catholic Church plays in shaping young minds and guiding their future and that of the country.
He said Heritage-Based Education 5.0 model should be fully embraced as it seeks to revitalise the country’s education sector to produce graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also equipped with practical skills to drive economic growth.
VP Chiwenga said Education 5.0 is an innovative educational framework that seeks to move beyond traditional learning methods by integrating innovation, entrepreneurship and critical thinking into the curriculum.
This, he said, will bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application for the benefit of both learners and society.
“Education is the bedrock of our society and it is through institutions like All Souls Mission that we cultivate the leaders, thinkers and innovators of tomorrow. Over the past century, the Mission has been a beacon of hope and place where love and compassion has flourished in the hearts of countless individuals.
“Each of you has played a vital role this community and we have witnessed God’s works in our lives. Therefore, I want to congratulate All Souls Mission and the community for the 100 years, since this school was built, and has been committing its work to the Lord through education outreach and spirt guidance,” VP Chiwenga said.
The endeavor, he added, had strengthened the Mission and enriched the community, proving that when people align their efforts with God’s purpose, they can achieve great things. VP Chiwenga also commended the Roman Catholic Church’s unwavering dedication to nurturing young minds as this aligns perfectly with the national vision, which aspires to create an empowered and prosperous society by 2030.
VP Chiwenga bemoaned issues of drug and substance abuse as well as cyber-crimes that are threatening the future of Zimbabwe’s young people.
He said: “Today we face dangerous cultural invasion that threaten to undermine the moral fabric of our community such as the misuse of cyber material, hate speech, drug and substance abuse. The Government calls upon youths to invest their knowledge into respectful service in society, following the example set by the missionaries who funded All Souls Mission a century ago.”
He commend All Souls High School for its pro-active stance against drug and substance abuse saying together-the church, the community and Government- the menace will be defeated.
“If we do that, their future and that of our nation will be bright.This initiative is vital in today’s world, where our youths encounter numerous temptations and challenges. Equipping our students with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions is essential and I urge all of you to continue doing this important work.”
VP Chiwenga also commissioned the new interactive science laboratory at the school. The laboratory helps learners to study using cutting-edge educational technology.
Further to that, he donated US$10 000 for the development of the school.
All Souls Mission’s centenary celebrations were attended by Senate President Mabel Chinomona, the Minister of State for Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Aplonia Munzverengwi, Government officials and members of the local community, among others
New Ziana
