Zimbabwe: New Catholic school opened

Schoolchildren at the Village - Facebook pic

Hundreds of people gathered to witness the opening of St Marcellin Primary School, in Hatfield, Harare which will cater for children from the St Marcellin Village for Orphans. Gracing the event was the Education Secretary for Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Harare, Sister Claris Gowo who officially opened the school together with the members of the clergy, religious sisters, family and friends who attended the event.

In her speech Sr Claris extended gratitude and honour towards the founders for partaking in such an extraordinary project, all this was done in the name of showing love and care towards the most vulnerable members of our society. She also noted that the thrust of the Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Harare is to reach out to the needy children whilst advocating for Catholic values.

"I encourage school authorities to constantly foster prayers and also pray the Rosary and the Angelus to enable discipline within the institution, nothing is impossible with God in your heart" She said.

Sr Claris went on to inform the teachers that they should teach the children with love because children look up to them as their role models. And that they should treat them like their own children showing them love of Jesus Christ and that of St Marcellin.

In a keynote address on behalf of the founders of the School, Mr and Mrs McDonald, said: "My wife and I decided to establish a school for the orphans but did not have any funds thus the dream seemed impossible. We prayed every day for four years and today we are all gathered to celebrate the dream that has finally came true!" said Mr McDonald.

Mr McDonald felt inspired to consider this initiative for the orphans, having worked with Mashambanzou, a home for those with HIV/Aids in Zimbabwe. He had had personal experiences with many families left behind by their loved ones who succumbed to HIV/Aids in Zimbabwe.

Credit must be given to the Carmelite sisters and the Marist Brothers who strongly supported the dream up until the end. Financial aid also came from Child Welfare and donors from Italy.

The school head boy Norman Tiriboyi rejoiced as he told the Catholic Church News crew that he is proud of his school and the love shown at St Marcellin which makes it feels like home.

Source: In Touch

For more information on St Marcellin Village see: www.friendsofstmarcellinschildren.org

Read about them - and Like - on Facebook: www.facebook.com/StMarcellins/info