The Catholic Church has launched Girl Guides and Scouts programmes in its schools across Zimbabwe, urging children to develop values that promote environmental protection, leadership and responsible citizenship.
Church leaders announced the initiative on 14 March 2026, saying the programme aims to strengthen character development, discipline and community service among young learners.
Speaking during the launch, Catholic Archdiocese of Harare Vicar General Father Kennedy Muguti urged young people to adopt lifestyles that respect and protect nature.
“We must be able to coexist with mother nature. We must befriend nature,” Muguti said during a sermon.
He warned that environmental destruction was contributing to increasing conflict between humans and wildlife.
“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 said.
Environmental Awareness and Responsibility
Muguti said cutting down fruit trees in forests and harvesting wild fruits before they ripen has disrupted wildlife food sources.
“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.”
He added that such environmental pressures were forcing animals to move closer to human settlements.
“In areas like Hwange, you do not even open windows because monkeys will get inside. So you must learn those values to coexist with nature,” Muguti said.
Leadership Development Through Guiding
Girl Guides Association of Zimbabwe High Commissioner Florence Dangarembizi said Catholic education has traditionally focused on developing the whole person through moral, spiritual and intellectual growth.
“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 will help young girls grow into leaders grounded in service and faith.
“Faith without action is incomplete. Guiding teaches action — service to community, love for neighbour, care for the environment, and commitment to excellence,” she said.
Faith and Service
Former Girl Guides Association of Zimbabwe president Maria Stella Chaniwa said the initiative combines guiding traditions with the Catholic Church’s emphasis on faith and service.
“Today we are not just starting a unit; we are planting a little fire of faith, friendship and service,” Chaniwa 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 leadership and spiritual growth through the programme.
“Guiding will give you muddy boots; faith will give you steady ground,” she said.
Organisers said the programme is designed to strengthen leadership, discipline, environmental stewardship and community engagement among learners in Catholic schools.
By Granite Post Reporter, The Granite Post
