By Emmanuel Marambe
THE Roman Catholic Church’s Diocese of Gweru is set to stage its inaugural Bishop’s Golf Tournament and Family Fun Day early next month with a host of golfers from around the country set to take part in the event that is aimed at raising funds for the installation of solar power systems at the organisation’s health service centres.
According to event spokes-person Reverend Doctor Father Gilbert Chibhira, the tournament will be held on November 4 at Gweru Golf Club and there will also be activities such as a wellness programme characterised by a fun run, cycling event as well as a Zumba session.
A choral competition and music show featuring guest artistes such as Zimdancehall star Killer T as well as Afro-fusion musicians Tawanda Samukoko and The Travellers will round off the day’s activities.
“The Bishop’s Golf Tournament and Fun Day is a fundraising initiative which is designed towards the installation of solar-powered systems at mortuaries at all Gweru Diocese hospitals and clinics and this golf tournament is going to take place at Gweru Golf Club,” said Fr. Chibhira.
“So the Catholic Diocese of Gweru through the Bishop’s house has put together a fundraising programme which is aimed at raising funds and resources to capacitate its existing health service centres.
“The diocese has eight running clinics and hospitals whose facilities need to be improved in order to offer satisfactory health services to the surrounding communities. “And some of these centres are as follows, Muwonde hospital in Driefontein, Sanatoriam hospital in Driefontein, Zhombe hospital, St Theresa Hama Hospital in Chirumanzu, Holy Cross Clinic in Chikwingizha Clinic near Gweru, Serima Clinic and Hozheri Clinic in Lalapanzi,” he added.
Fr. Chibhira noted that the use of alternative power at the health centres that fall under the Church’s jurisdiction would help counter the effects of load shedding.
“We are convinced that all the diocese’s facilities have to be improved in order to embrace all the contemporary technological developments that our country is facing today. “On target, the Bishop would like to equip all the health centres with solar-powered mortuaries as well as to provide modern day ambulances.
“So in order to kick-start the resource mobilisation process, the bishop shall be launching a fundraising programme which is entitled the Bishop’s Golf Tournament and Family Fun Day and this is an inaugural project which shall be hosted at Gweru Golf Club on November 4.
“The fundraising programme is the fi rst of its kind bringing all Catholics, non-Catholics, corporates, the public sector and individuals in one space for a full day focusing on how the Catholic Church can provide the best facilities at its clinics and hospitals,” said Fr. Chibhira, who added:
“In this way, the Catholic Church will be able to contribute to a more progressive Zimbabwe by offering contemporary and sustainable health services at all Gweru diocese catholic clinics and hospitals.” The Catholic diocese of Gweru is made up of the following areas, Gweru, Kwekwe, Chirumhanzu, Zvishavane, Mberengwa, Serima, Silobela, Shurungwi and Zhombe.