Zimbabwean Nuns break barriers with special needs education drive 

Harare, Kelvin Benjamin – The Little Children of Our Blessed Lady (LCBL) Sisters in Zimbabwe are stepping up investment toward special needs education spaces by casting more spotlight on making Convent schools disability inclusive.

Sister Veronica Mungai who is the administrator at Regina Mundi Convent School in Harare says her congregation has done the groundwork to build a multi-purpose learning block.

“This user friendly learning facility will make it easy to Special Needs students to access other amneties and various learning areas,” said Sr. Veronica.

“We have managed to facelift and improve the Convent’s learning facilities over the past decade, thanks to the School Development Association and not forgetting the clergy and laity for their unwavering support,” she continued.

This new project is an addition to the congregation’s mission in education and general pastoral work regarding uplifting the livelihoods of vulnerable communities.

“Whilst the LCBL sisters have been standing up for the dignity of marginalised women and children, this initiative will go a long way empowering low to medium income families who can not afford sending their loved ones to expensive schools because of their special needs,” added Sr. Veronica.

Responding to what prompted her to embark on this initiative, she said, besides being part of her call to sisterhood, which requires self-dedication in helping people from different backgrounds, her upbringing played a role as well.

She explained that her faith is one of the driving forces behind this success. Adding that she believes every child is unique and talented regardless of their background, hence the need to understand their special requirements.

“I was raised in East Africa, Kenya in particular and we have a philosophy called Haraambe. What happens is if a society has a goal to achieve, we all pull in the same direction so that our community develops.

“It is the same approach that played out here; different stakeholders all played their role for this dream to reach fruition,” Sr. Veronica narrated.

The nun also said the Convent school staff are always reminded the need and importance to treat every child equally, referring to the below biblical verse from the book of Proverbs 22:6.

“Start children off on the way they should go and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

Regina Mundi Convent opened its learning wing in the year 1963, offering pre-school education and has developed to a recognised and formal primary school in Zimbabwe.

Archdiocese of Harare’s Vicar General, Reverend Father Kennedy Muguti, said Mass over the school’s commissioning celebrations were the Papal flag was raised.

Over the years, this indigenous women’s religious group has managed to spread wings in other African and European countries under Sister Anita Jonga, their Superior General.

One of their mission statements read: In childlike simplicity, humble, charity and cheerfulness, we commit ourselves to Education, Protection and safeguarding of minors and vilnerable adults.