BAKE SALE & CARD SALE FOR ST THERESA’S 03.11.2024
There will be a bake sale after each Mass on Sunday 3rd November 2024. By then, with parishioners’ help, the Christmas cards will be ready for purchase.
FUNDRAISING PARTY FOR ST THERESA’S 12.11.2024
There will be a party to raise funds for St Theresa’s on Tuesday 12th November, 7pm to 10pm.
Background of St. Theresa’s School of Nursing
St. Theresa’s Nursing School is in Chirumanzu in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe, on the grounds of St. Theresa Hospital. The hospital was established in 1957 by the Dominican Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, with a focus on serving the poorest people in the rural area. It has a capacity of 180 beds and includes departments such as Maternity, Women’s Wards, Men’s Wards, X-ray, Antenatal Care, and a rehabilitation program. The symbolic presence of St. Theresa School of Nursing within the hospital grounds provides the students with an invaluable opportunity to receive hands-on training in a real-world healthcare environment. Currently, the school is nurturing 157 dedicated students, with 24 of them gaining essential practical experience through their attachment to the hospital.
On February 5, 2024, at around 2:30 am, a tragic fire broke out at St. Theresa School of Nursing, originating from one of the offices. Although the exact cause is yet to be confirmed, it resulted in the destruction of the school. While the suspicion is an electrical fault, a thorough investigation is underway to provide conclusive evidence. The fire caused extensive damage to various areas including the kitchen, dining room, male students’ sitting room and accommodation, administration/reception office, Tutors’ offices, solar batteries, inverters, some panels, Wi-Fi system, all library books, staff tearoom, water and electricity systems. Additionally, the fire resulted in cracks and damage to the walls and floors. Despite efforts to contain the fire, including the use of fire extinguishers, it continued to grow and cause further destruction. Upon realizing the fire outbreak, all student nurses were immediately evacuated to ensure their safety. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the students or those who assisted during the incident. However, there was extensive property damage.
Request for financial support
St. Theresa Hospital seeks to redesign and rebuild to make better use of the available space. The hospital plans to construct a stand alone Administration block, which will include offices for various roles, a boardroom for 20 staff members, and storerooms. Additionally, there will be a demonstration room with clinical instructors’ offices and a sluice room, two classrooms each capable of accommodating 50 students, a computer room, and a library with internet access for student research.
The design also incorporates a separate dining room and kitchen for the students, complete with a serving area and a scullery for washing and plate storage. Furthermore, there will be a laundry area and storeroom to hold students’ belongings during community secondment or holidays, as well as an ablution block and bathroom facilities.
The total amount expected to rebuild the hostels is $497,672. 45 USD
We the Dominican Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart kindly request for donation of any amount to help in rebuilding the Nursing School. So far we have only raised a total donation of $50,000.00
The Catholic Chaplaincy serves the students and staff of the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier University and Queen Margaret University.
The Catholic Chaplaincy is also a parish of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh (the Parish of St Albert the Great) and all Catholic students and staff are automatically members of this parish.