Staff Reporter

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has pledged to construct seven classroom and administration blocks at the new site for Globe and Phoenix Primary School, which was condemned after part of the school caved into an underground mining shaft.

The collapse, caused by extensive illegal gold panning activities in the area, left hundreds of learners stranded. In the aftermath, makeshift tents were set up at Russell Primary School, where Globe and Phoenix learners have been conducting their lessons for the past two years.

Speaking during a site visit yesterday, the church’s Humanitarian Manager, Tatenda Chiore, reaffirmed their commitment to assisting affected communities through the project.

“We are a religious organization which believes in saving others. We follow after our Saviour Jesus Christ to provide for those that are in need, so that is our most pressing factor in this project—to save others,” Chiore said.

He added that the church was still in the planning phase and had not yet determined the full cost of the project. However, he emphasized that the donation had no conditions attached and that all completed structures would be handed over to the government for the benefit of the community.

Kwekwe Mayor Albert Zinhanga expressed gratitude to the church for its intervention, acknowledging the dire conditions under which teachers and learners had been operating since the collapse of the school.

“It is a sad situation to see teachers and learners operating from the open space. Thank you so much, as you are not only going to touch the hearts of learners but of the community of Kwekwe. We really appreciate every effort you are going to put on the ground,” Zinhanga said.