Empowering communities through education: 440 enroll for Zimbabwe Open University short courses in Victoria Falls

Leonard Ncube, [email protected]
EDUCATION is the key to attainment of knowledge which has power to transform an individual and society.

This realisation saw 440 people from Victoria Falls enrolling for short courses through the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) in a programme being implemented by the Council of Churches in Africa, an umbrella Christian organisation in partnership with the Angel of Hope Foundation that is run by the First Lady and philanthropist, Dr Auxilia Mnangagwa.
The short courses were done between Monday and Friday last week followed by an examination on the final day.

Drawn from various professions and ordinary residents in the resort city, the trainees included tourism workers, taxi drivers, teachers, artists and others who underwent intensive training in agro-tourism and tour guide, disability and sign language, agriculture, early childhood development, entrepreneurship and business management, counselling, nurse aide and ICT short courses.
Initially, the programme targeted about 100 CCA members but was opened to any interested residents in the spirit of leaving no one and no place behind.
Those that pass the examination will receive certificates and be eligible for professional employment.

Addressing the students after the exams, Bishop Ndaba Sibanda of the CCA in Victoria Falls said It was God’s Grace that the programme was extended to non-church members.
“The Council of Churches in Africa is an umbrella body of different churches and we work with ZOU and the Angel of Hope Foundation. The programme started in Manicaland last month and we are now in Matabeleland North where training will be done in three areas namely Victoria Falls, Nkayi and Lupane.
“We realised that many people especially in churches had no capacity in many areas while some less privileged may have failed to get money to continue with their education So we saw that they need certificates for them to get jobs and we thank the Government for creating such opportunities,” he said.
Dr Agrippa Zhou from ZOU said the institution was there to provide expert knowledge.
“This was initiated by CCZ to capacitate and empower the community. The CCZ consulted ZOU and we signed a Memorandum of Understanding where it was agreed to support the programme being implemented in Matabeleland North, Bulawayo, Midlands, Masvingo and Manicaland.
“They requested that we design programmes and a curriculum. We identified areas of study and we came up with eight courses. Those that will pass will be added on the university database and will receive certificates at a combined graduation to be organised,” said Dr Zhou.
He said the courses were marketable even beyond borders and would capacitate individuals who had not been able to attain tertiary qualifications for various reasons.
Dr Zhou said this was also an opportunity for ZOU to increase visibility and get new students.
“We thought it was necessary to have these courses especially looking at conflict, domestic violence, the need for skills, counselling and technological appreciation. We went further to include non-congregants in the spirit of leaving no one and no place behind and because Victoria Falls is a tourism destination that is why we have an agribusiness and tour guiding course.
“This is a State University and the Chancellor is President Mnangagwa and this shows you are doing well-recognised courses and this is a great step that you have taken. ZOU provides expert knowledge and certificates. Trainees are expected to attend lessons which become course work and then write an examination at the end of the training,” he added.
ZOU has over 9 000 students.
Graduands were excited by the courses.
“I chose to do sign language because this is the main thrust of our programmes so it is important to be well trained in disability issues. Sign language is a language that gives ownership to its users who get so engaged when using it and we want to make sure we connect with any of the users,” said Ms Senzelwe Jubane, founder of Abangane-Shamwari Trust.
Mr Prosper Chuma, a deacon at a local church who is also a driver, tour guide and artist said he chose train in counselling to expand his skills on the subject area.
He has been offering counselling in his church.
“I have been doing informal counselling, so I chose this short course to get skills. I want to help people in our church and the community. I want to be a recognised counsellor, especially among young people to motivate them to live responsibly,” he said.
CCA founding president Bishop Dr Rocky Moyo said the initiative is meant to empower citizens as the church contributes to the national vision for an upper-middle-income society by 2030.