Anglican invests in girlchild

Tendai Gukutikwa
INVESTING in the girl child is the key towards the country’s development and the country should take advantage of that and educate the fairer sex, Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe, Manicaland regional executive officer, Mr Effort Mtombeni, has said.

Mr Mtombeni aired these sentiments at the 34th Diocesan Anniversary for the Anglican Diocese of Manicaland, Church of the province of Central Africa last Saturday.

The anniversary-cum-fundraising occasion for the construction of the St Catherine’s Anglican Girls’ College was held at the construction site in Magamba, Rusape.

The gathered masses of Anglicans and stakeholders managed to raise $79 800 for the construction of the college.

Speaking on behalf of the bank’s managing director, Mr Francis Zimunya, Mr Mtombeni praised the Anglican Church for giving what they had towards a worthy cause.

He said constructing the college was a sustainable way of strengthening the church and that the church would continue reaping from the college.

Said Mr Mtombeni: “Girl child empowerment is the current talk and by educating a woman, you would have educated the nation so I think it is time we support Government and the church in investing in the girl child.

“By building this school, the Anglican Church has moved a step up to claim our responsibility and show the outside world that we can walk the talk because together we can.

Here is a church that continues to lead by examples. Gone are the days when we would look for external support.”

Mr Mtombeni said as a bank they were grateful to be associated with the people of the Anglican Church.

He stated that the gathering needed a form of recognition and that the occasion was an opportunity to give to God in gratitude of the different gifts, talents and blessings they had.

“We share with you this vision that commit to a long lasting partnership which begins with us supporting this event. We are in this together,” he said.

The Diocesan education secretary, Reverend Canon Phineas Fundira, said the construction of the college was already underway and that nothing would stop the Godly move.

Said Rev Fundira: “The construction of the girls’ college will be a milestone in the development of Advanced Level education for girls and this organisation to follow the example and set up a similar educational institution in the country.”

Also present at the occasion was the Diocese of Manicaland Anglican bishop, Bishop Erick Ruwona, Rtd Bishop Sebastian Bakare, Dean Austin July and Chief Makoni.

In his sermon, Bishop Ruwona urged the congregants to donate generously towards the project.

“This day will go to waste if we believe in sitting like Bartimeaus on the streets of the Great Britain and Canada, USA with a begging bowl and we do nothing and expect the donors and our friends from overseas to do everything for us.

“We have to take our calling seriously and offer to God something acceptable, not blemished. As Christians gathered here we have to spare something in cash or kind towards the construction of this college.

“Let us lead by example and offer generously to God from today and not from tomorrow. In giving to God, we accept that we are bringing back to God what is due to Him, therefore we should sow on this fertile soil that the Lord has given us, the girls’ college,” he said.

The college is expected to open its doors by February 2016 and is expected to enrol 800 girls from across the country and from all denominations.