onlinemedia
Farai Dauramanzi
Echo Editor
The Reformed Church in Zimbabwe’s Nerupiri congregation is among the first beneficiaries of a programme being undertaken by a group of volunteers from within the institution to transform the livelihoods of the church’s rural congregations.The group of volunteers comprises business people and professionals from the church’s various denominations in Harare, with Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya and his wife being the advisors.
They have embarked on an ambitious programme to raise resources to support the RCZ’s congregations in rural areas.
The RCZ Nerupiri branch in Gutu has become one of the first beneficiaries, having had electricity installed, a 6kV solar system set up, and a borehole drilled.
In his address at the celebrations at Nerupiri, chairperson of the group, Dr Shame Denderensaid the volunteers are RCZ members who have taken it upon themselves to assist the church.
“We are launching our rural congregations’ transformation programme here at Nerupiri and we will be moving around the country assisting different branches in the rural areas,” he said.
One of the volunteers, Mr Moses Chidindi, has been appointed as patron of the Nerupiri congregation to oversee developments at the church.
In an interview, Mr Chidindi, who funded the borehole drilling and installation of the solar system at Nerupiri, said the volunteer group had decided to help their church counterparts in rural areas to bridge the gap between urban and rural congregations.
“We want to transform rural congregations so that they match the standards of our branches in urban areas. In the past, our pastors avoided postings in rural areas due to poor living conditions, but we aim to change that.
“It is no longer time for the church to look to donors from outside the country when we have members who can develop our church,” he said.
The coordinator of the programme, Mr Tsungirirai Jeche from the RCZ Seke East congregation, said the volunteers aim to uplift the livelihoods of RCZ church members in rural areas.
“This programme is aimed at improving the lives of our church members in rural areas in line with President Mnangagwa’s vision of leaving no one and no place behind.
“We are pleased that the Nerupiri community has embraced our initiative, as shown by the presence of traditional leaders led by Chief Nerupiri and members from other churches, who closed down their activities today to join us,” said Mr Jeche.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Chief Nerupiri, whose real name is Mr Tomasi Zinyoro, said he was pleased that the church was spearheading development in his area.
Chief Nerupiri officially commissioned the electricity project.
“I am happy that all these developments are taking place within a short space of time after the arrival of a new pastor at this church.
“We hope they will maintain the momentum so that they uplift the lives of church members and our community at large,” said Chief Nerupiri.
The resident pastor at Nerupiri, Reverend Wendy Magumise, expressed gratitude to the volunteers and urged them to extend their assistance to all the church’s branches in rural areas.
“As pastors based in rural areas, we face various challenges, and I am grateful that this group of volunteers has taken the initiative to help us.”
The group also pledged to extend the church building at Nerupiri, build a perimeter fence, renovate the pastor’s house, start a chicken project, and install internet at the church.
Online Reporter