THE Catholic Church has launched Girl Guides and Scouts in its schools across the country, with church leaders urging young people to embrace values that promote harmony with nature and responsible citizenship.
Speaking during the launch, Catholic Archidiocese of Harare Vicar General, Father Kennedy Muguti, challenged young people to develop a culture of respecting and co-existing with nature rather than exploiting it.
“We must be able to coexist with mother nature. We must befriend nature,” Muguti said during a sermon.
“The challenge now is that we think we must dominate over nature.
“That dominance is abusive instead of coexisting. We are failing to coexist with nature.”
He warned that reckless destruction of forests and fruit trees was contributing to environmental problems and increasing human-wildlife conflict.
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“We are destroying fruit trees in the forests, cutting them down or harvesting when they are not yet ripe,” he said.
“That is why we now have an increase in human-wildlife conflict. Those fruits were supposed to be eaten by wild animals and they no longer have anything to eat.
“That is why in areas like Hwange, you do not even open windows because monkeys will get inside. So you must learn those values to co-exist with nature.”
Girl Guides Association of Zimbabwe High Commissioner Florence Dangarembizi, who attended the launch, said Catholic education had always prioritised the holistic development of children.
“Catholic education has always emphasised holistic formation educating the mind, nurturing the spirit and strengthening moral character,” Dangarembizi said.
“The introduction of a Catholic Guiders section strengthens this mission. It aligns the spiritual formation of the Church, the leadership development of Guiding, and the national vision of raising responsible citizens.”
She said the programme would help young girls grow into leaders grounded in faith and service.
“Faith without action is incomplete. Guiding teaches action — service to community, love for neighbour, care for the environment, and commitment to excellence,” Danga said.
“Our girls will now grow not only as leaders, but as leaders rooted in faith.”
Girl Guides Association of Zimbabwe former president Maria Stella Chaniwa said the initiative blends guiding traditions with the Catholic Church’s values of faith and service.
“Today we are not just starting a unit; we are planting a little fire of faith, friendship and service,” she said.
“The Catholic Girl Guides bring together two strong traditions — Guiding’s learning-by-doing and the Church’s call to love God and neighbour.”
Chaniwa encouraged girls to embrace both leadership and spiritual growth through the programme.
“Guiding will give you muddy boots; faith will give you steady ground.”
She said the programme would encourage girls to grow in prayer, serve their communities and ensure every member feels a sense of belonging.
Organisers said the introduction of Girl Guides and Scouts in Catholic schools aims to strengthen leadership, discipline, environmental stewardship and community service among young learners.