LDS Charities Completes and Delivers the Johanna Mafuyane Primary School in Umguza District, Zimbabwe

Driven by the plight of young children who had to endure long distances to go to school, LDS Charities brought much needed relief to the community of the Johanna Mafuyane area in Umguza District.

Groundbreaking for the Johanna Mafuyane Primary School took place in 2014. Without the availability of outside financial help to construct the school, the community raised funds by raising and selling chickens and vegetables from their gardens. In addition to financial challenges, building construction required walking long distances to bring water to the school site. When LDS Charities understood the efforts of the community to build a quality school, without any help from outside the community, they agreed to drill a bore hole to provide water for the school. Upon completion of the bore hole and observing the community’s continuing but unsuccessful efforts to complete the school, LDS Charities assessed the need for classrooms to accommodate students in the area. After ascertaining the need, LDS Charities agreed to help finish the classroom block started by the community. They also agreed to construct an additional block of classrooms and provide desks and equipment to make the school functional. The community agreed to properly maintain the school and provide for any additional needs for the school.

President Sweet Mthethwa, second counselor in the Bulawayo Stake Presidency, presided at the handover event between LDS Charities and the community. Attendees at the event included: Minister of State for Matabeleland North Province, the Honorable Richard Moyo, local Chief Mabhena, Mrs. Gertrude Gumbo, ward councilor for the area, Mrs. S. Maramba, head teacher for the school and many Provincial educational officers, Rural Development officers, local villagers, Elder and Sister Smith, LDS Charities missionaries and Brother Stephen Guwa, Coordinating Council Public Affairs Director.