Idai horror still haunts former St Charles Lwanga pupils

Source: Idai horror still haunts former St Charles Lwanga pupils | The Herald 27 AUG, 2019

Natasha Kokai and Charmaine brown
Some former pupils of St Charles Lwanga Secondary School in Chimanimani are still recovering from the harrowing experience that they endured during Cyclone Idai five months ago, the parents have said.

They were speaking during presentation of an assortment of goods to the former pupils (boarders) by Roman Catholic’s Diocese of Mutare at St Paul’s Kubatana Catholic Church in Harare last Thursday.

The diocese runs the school. The donation included stationary, foodstuffs, satchels and toiletries. The pupils have since been transferred to several schools after it was recommended that the school be relocated. The parents said their children were still having nightmares and their academic performances had deteriorated.

Mrs Florence Murove, whose son is doing Form One, said the child was is still suffering from the psychological trauma to the extent that he even refused to be enrolled at another boarding school.

“He often has nightmares of the fateful day,” she said. “He even refused to go to a boarding school and he is now a day scholar.”

Mr Innocent Chinoda said his son’s performance in school had gone down due to the horror ordeal.

“I managed to enrol my son at another boarding school, but his performance has declined because he is still to recover from the horrible experience he experienced when the cyclone hit, he said. “I have arranged for counselling sessions and I hope he is going to be fine.”

Another parent, Ms Nelia Nyakatahwa from Marondera, said her son had not adapted to his new school, although she tried to make it easier for him.

“His school performance has declined and he does not show excitement when I try to discuss school work with,” she said.

The parents welcomed the donation made by the diocese, which was meant to cushion the 171 pupils after the disruptions they went through. The diocese intends to make similar donations in Marondera and Chimanimani. The donation is in addition to the $200 fees that the church paid for each of the former pupils last term.

Two pupils from the school lost their lives when they were ran over by boulders during the devastating cyclone.