Opened at the beginning of the year, St. Augustine’s College in Sunnyside, Bulawayo, is ticking all the right boxes. The school hosted its Tree Planting Day, a milestone event demonstrating its commitment to caring for the environment, on 2 December 2024.
The day began with a presentation by the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC) Secretary General, Fr. Tryvis Moyo, on Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation on the “Care of Our Common Home.” The presentation focused on themes such as stewardship, hearing the cry of the poor and the earth, and addressing unsustainable modern trends.
Fr. Moyo demonstrating his skill with a shovel
Fr. Moyo challenged the attendees with a thought-provoking question: How can St. Augustine care for its environment? Speaking later about the event, Fr. Moyo reflected, “Travelling across the country, one is appalled by the environmental degradation one sees. So it is something hopeful when you have an institution like a school take up environmental issues.”
The school head, wearing a white dustcoat, with some of the parents
He commended the school’s efforts, stating, “These days, as the Holy Father rightly observed, ‘environmental issues are justice issues. We cannot ignore the cry of the earth and of the poor who almost always have to bear the effects of environmental degradation. “My hope is that the enthusiasm shown today will be sustained and that, like a fire, the concern for ecological issues will spread fast, far, and wide,” Fr. Moyo added.
For the school head, Mr. Thomas Khumalo, the event was about more than just planting trees. “It’s about instilling a sense of responsibility towards our environment in our students,” he said.Mr. Khumalo detailed ongoing efforts, sharing,“Once a week, we go around the school and collect all the materials we shouldn’t be having at the school, and we bin it so that we have a clean environment. Our aim is to become an ecologically friendly environment.”The school ensured that everyone present—students, teachers, staff, and parents—had the opportunity to plant a tree.
The college administrator prepares to plant a tree
The college administrator prepares to plant a tree. This was made possible by a generous donation of trees from ZCBC, as well as contributions from parents and staff. Three categories of trees were planted: indigenous, exotic, and fruit trees. The enthusiasm and teamwork of all participants reflected a shared commitment to protecting the environment and combating climate change.
St. Augustine’s students pose for a photo with a tree that one of them was about to plant
The school plans to launch a Laudato Si’ Club to foster environmental stewardship. Club members will serve as environmental ambassadors and spearhead initiatives promoting the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Waste management will be central to the club’s mission of fostering an integral ecology.
A student plants a tree
Tree planting, Mr. Khumalo noted, is just one part of the school’s broader environmental strategy. Other planned activities include adopting renewable energy technologies, which will be championed by students in the sciences and the school’s innovation hub.
The event was a resounding success, with the entire school community demonstrating a united commitment to environmental sustainability. As St. Augustine’s sets its sights on becoming an eco-friendly school, its efforts are an inspiring example of living out the principles of Laudato Si’.
This article was initially published on:
https://catholicchurchnewszimbabwe.blog/st-augustines-college-embraces-laudato-si/