The Sunday Mail
Fatima Bulla and Belinda Mutayiwa
THE Roman Catholic Diocese of Mutare is requesting land to relocate St Charles Lwanga Mission following the devastating effects of Cyclone Idai, which claimed the life of two students and a security guard last month.
In a letter written to Chimanimani Rural District Council, Right Reverend Paul Horan O’Carm noted that parents and learners expressed sentiments that they were no longer willing to return to the school after the trauma suffered by the boarding learners.
Chimanimani and Chipinge were reportedly the worst hit when Cyclone Idai ravaged through Manicaland, Masvingo and Mashonaland East provinces. The latest death toll, which is expected to rise as many remain missing, stands at 268 while thousands were also displaced.
If a new site is granted, Reverend O’Carm said the diocese is willing if necessary to include health and primary school facilities in addition to the secondary school. In the diocese’s appraisal of the situation, Rev O’Carm noted that apart from having bald patch and gullies created by the landslide posing a threat to human lives and property, the site is too confined to allow relocation of damaged buildings as well as for expansion to accommodate plans for A-Level and girls’ hostels.
He added that the mission is situated in an area prone to seismic movements hence authorities anxiety about future landslides.
“A geologically stable and less sloppy ground will guarantee longevity of buildings’ life spans, safeguarding lives as well as the Church’s continued service to the people’s spiritual and social well-being.
“As a proposal, the Diocese has identified unoccupied land around Ruwaka, which we believe is stable for relocation of St Charles Lwanga Mission but there may be other equally suitable sites which you may propose,” read the letter.
After experiencing the trauma of the cyclone, which claimed the death of fellow students, Munashe Jena and Watson Kocherani as well as Chishamiso Muchabaka and a security guard- a decision to suspend and relocate boarding school operation was reached.
In another communique, Rev O’Carm said the Diocesan is now in its short term plans intending to distribute 170 boarders among the dioceses’ seven boarding schools as well as opportunities at three day schools in Mutare urban. In addition O-Level candidates will attend vacation lessons at the schools they will be allocated in April.
“Youth Alive, a Diocesan Social Welfare arm of the Diocese has started post-trauma counselling sessions with Mutare learners. In Harare ZCBC (Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference) National Co-ordinator, Sister Dr Theresa Nyadombo has organised sessions which commenced on March 23, 2019,” read the communique.
St Charles Lwanga carried the first report of fatalities of Cyclone Idai, which also ravaged through Mozambique and Malawi.
In a recent interview with this publication, one of the teachers narrated how the hardest part of the experience was enduring two hours of trying to free another student, Donell Mashawa who had been trapped under a bed base, a pile of mud and a fallen wall.
Due to the loss of key school and residential infrastructure, the teachers appealed for donations to assist in the school rebuilding exercise.
