The principal of DTC, Dr Roy Musasiwa wrote to DTC Autumn Newsletter about the effects of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe.
Thank you so much for your ongoing support and continued interest, both in Domboshawa Theological College, and Zimbabwe as a nation. Your generous care and prayers make a real difference and are a source of encouragement to DTC Staff and Students.
2021 has continued to throw down severe challenges akin to those described in our previous newsletter. We wish to update you on the situation and some of the developments therein. It is wonderfully encouraging that new students are still coming forward to enrol in studies despite economic hardships. Teaching has continued throughout the lockdowns, and that the Masters’ Course has got off to a great start. This enables DTC to offer high academic qualifications. We hope that this newsletter will provide you with fuel for prayer and occasions for thankfulness. We sincerely thank you for your partnership in the gospel.
Women and students disproportionately affected by Covid-19
In the last newsletter, we reported that the COVID Pandemic on health had been relatively limited compared to the West. World Health Organisation figures for the December 2020 revealed that there had been 11,749 cases and 313 deaths although testing had been limited. However, since January 2021, Zimbabwe has been exposed to more virulent strains particularly the South African and Delta variants. By 21 September 2021, there had been 128,186 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 4,569 deaths, reported to WHO. Many Zimbabweans now know people who have lost their lives to the virus. Thankfully, as of 14 September 2021, a total of 4,751,735 vaccine doses had been administered. Notably, many of these doses have been Chinese vaccines Sinopharm and Sinovac, a sign of China’s growing influence in the region.
As the effects of lockdown continue to be severe. it is sobering to consider how they have affected two groups in particular, women and students. According to the World Bank half of Zimbabweans fell into extreme poverty during the pandemic as they live on less than 1.9 USD per person, per day. You can download our Autumn Newsletter Here Domboshawa Trust UK Autumn 2021 Newsletter vol. 2
