At Hanwa Secondary School, a United Methodist mission school, students who once had little exposure to technology are now writing, testing, and debugging their own computer programs.
Tablets, a computer laboratory, and an interactive smartboard are now present on the rural campus, located in the resettlement farmlands of Zimbabwe’s Murewa district. Teachers, students, parents, and church leaders say the result is a school where faith, education, and technology come together to prepare young people for the future.
These digital opportunities are thanks to a $14,000 gift from the Baltimore-Washington Conference’s Zimbabwe Volunteers in Mission (ZimVIM), a connection that began in 1997.
From instructor to facilitator
For IT teacher Andrew Chingosho, the introduction of programming classes has transformed both his teaching and his students’ learning. He explained, “My approach is now practical, learner‑centered and problem‑solving oriented.
“Instead of focusing on theory, I guide students to write, test, and improve their own programs, encouraging them to learn through mistakes and corrections. Demonstrations, group work, and project‑based tasks now connect programming concepts to real‑life situations, shifting my role from instructor to facilitator.”
Chingosho believes those skills will serve his learners well. He said, “Digital literacy, programming, and computational thinking will be among the most valuable skills in the next decade.” As technology and artificial intelligence continue to evolve, he also stresses cybersecurity awareness, data literacy, and the ability to learn independently.
Miles ahead of others
The new learning tools drew praise from Bishop Gift K. Machinga during a visit to the school. He congratulated the Hanwa community on what he called a milestone achievement and thanked ZimVIM for its support of the program.
“Few schools have such a computer laboratory, tablets and an interactive board, and it shows we are miles ahead of others. For that, let us thank the Lord,” he said. The bishop challenged students to make full use of the equipment, reminding them that they are now part of a global village. “Technology is the thing of the day. By just clicking, the world is open for you to explore.”
He urged teachers to rise to the occasion. “Education in Zimbabwe is transforming, no longer limited to notes but widened by technology that sparks creativity and research beyond the classroom.”
He called on parents and the wider community for their continued support. He encouraged, “Locals must plan to sustain and improve our school. Together, with God as our guide, the church and community will conquer hurdles and aim higher.”
Making progress, setting an example
Headmaster Lovemore Karumazondo knows how far Hanwa has come. He shared, “When I arrived, the school faced many challenges — low fee payments, low enrollment, poor motivation among teachers and students, and poor pass rates.”
Digitalizing teaching and learning became one of several turnaround strategies, and Karumazondo said the change was immediate once the tablets arrived. “Students are motivated to learn, their attitudes have improved, absenteeism has reduced, punctuality and participation are better, enrollment is rising, and discipline has improved.”
His focus now is sustainability. He mentioned, “We are strengthening security, training teachers, and planning to expand with more tablets, smartboards, projectors and vocational training.”
Pastor Gladman Kundhlande, the school chaplain, emphasized the importance of guiding learners spiritually as they embrace technology. He encourages values such as integrity and self‑discipline, while warning against harmful content and misuse of information. He explained, “I integrate spiritual guidance by teaching learners to use technology responsibly, respectfully, and honestly.”
Hanwa’s progress is already shaping plans across the conference. The Rev. Clement Masukume, education secretary of the Zimbabwe West Conference, said the project “is helping teachers and students to move with technology. It is enhancing quality research and improving results in our institutions.”
Workshops are underway to introduce information technology and artificial intelligence across all of the conference’s United Methodist schools, and other schools are being encouraged to visit Hanwa for inspiration.
Students and parents see brighter futures
For students, the change is personal. Blissful Musandirire, a Form 1 student, says tablets and programming have opened a new world of possibilities. She reflected, “What excites me most is being able to use a tablet to learn in a more practical and interesting way… I am gaining confidence through practice and support from teachers and classmates.”
Form 2 student Thierry Katogo sees digital skills as vital for careers in technology, engineering, or business. He mentioned, “I enjoy seeing a program work after correcting my mistakes. It makes me want to learn more.”
Parents are noticing the difference, too. Nixon Yuda, chairman of the school development committee, believes the initiative will shape children’s futures. “Giving learners access to tablets and programming exposes them to skills that are increasingly important in education, employment and entrepreneurship,” he said.
Yuda has seen more enthusiasm, curiosity, and willingness to learn in his own child, and he believes the benefits will reach beyond the classroom. He observed, “Technology can also transform the wider community by supporting agriculture, business, health, and communication.
“We are deeply grateful for this initiative, empowering our children with digital skills and shaping brighter futures through technology. To God be the glory!”
Kudzai Chingwe is a communicator for The United Methodist Church’s Zimbabwe East Conference.
This story was published on September 30, 2026. The contact is Laura Buchanan.
