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Bishop Tracy S. Malone’s imaginative and prescient to construct pupil housing at African University got here to fruition regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic. A delegation of 12 folks, largely clergy, from Eastern Ohio traveled to witness and have fun the accomplishments of a marketing campaign that raised $1.5 million. Retired Rev. William “Bill” McFadden and his spouse Marty, who’ve supported Africa University for greater than 30 years, supplied a beneficiant problem reward of a $1 match for each $3 raised. “This hostel just isn’t solely aesthetically pleasing, however has additionally been designed with college students in thoughts, with consolation and comfort in thoughts,” mentioned Valerie Tinodayche Nachipo, one of many first residents of the brand new corridor. Told.
African University feminine college students now have a brand new haven to stay on campus, because of a dormitory constructed with a $1.5 million love reward from the Eastern Ohio Conference.
Accommodating 92 college students, this contemporary advanced is a three-story constructing with facilities reminiscent of spacious double rooms, two lounges on every ground the place college students can loosen up and socialize, and a laundry space.
The residence corridor is the fruits of a imaginative and prescient by Eastern Ohio Conference Bishop Tracy S. Malone in 2019 that resulted within the Teach-Reach-Bless marketing campaign to enhance the well-being of feminine college students at Pan-African academic establishments. This is the third pupil residence constructed by the Council of African Universities.
“East Ohio Conference’s Teach-Reach-Bless marketing campaign goes far past investing in residence halls, and goes far past brick-and-mortar shops. We put money into the lives, schooling, well-being, and way forward for our college students. ” Malone mentioned on the Feb. 26 dedication of the ability named in her honor.
Maggie Jackson of the Eastern Ohio Conference (left), Bishop Tracy S. Malone of the Eastern Ohio Episcopal Region (proper), African University Board President Bishop Mande Muyombo (again left), Africa University President Bishop Gaspar Domingos ( (again proper), learn the doc in the course of the official opening of the college’s new dormitory constructed by the council. Mr. Jackson was certainly one of his co-chairs of the Teach-Reach-Bless marketing campaign. Photo courtesy of UM News, Eveline Chikwanah
Ms. Malone recalled that a few of her most memorable and significant experiences occurred in her dormitory.
“This is the place I felt most at dwelling and linked, and the place my story was recognized,” she mentioned. “Education and management formation happens not solely within the classroom and thru tutorial research, but in addition by way of participation in campus actions and entry to group life skilled in residence life.”
Malone’s imaginative and prescient was pushed by the necessity to present a protected and safe atmosphere for feminine college students. Africa University’s campus is at present dwelling to 1,114 college students, of whom 620 are girls. Additionally, she has 1,159 college students attending this academic establishment.
The Teach-Reach-Bless marketing campaign was a “win-win” marketing campaign as a result of not solely did the convention donate to African Universities, nevertheless it additionally acquired donations in return.
“This schooling was a chance for us to show extra about Africa University’s mission within the Eastern Ohio Conference, so we had been being taught, which is to achieve out to girls for generations to return. It was additionally about getting extra folks to return to the convention to assist the college,” Malone mentioned. “The blessing is mutual. We are blessed by doing it, and the college is blessed by this reward.”
“They could have completely different opinions and issues with the United Methodist Church. What I’m satisfied of is that mission lies the place there are widespread values and goal regardless of variations.” she mentioned. “What I can say is that it’s God’s dream, and when folks belief God and consider in His mission and decide to that mission, God makes that imaginative and prescient a actuality by way of folks of religion. about it.”
Members of the Eastern Ohio Conference pose exterior the Bishop Tracy S. Malone Dormitory at Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe. This constructing was constructed by the East Ohio Conference at a value of US$1.5 million. This is the third residence the convention has gifted to the college. Photo courtesy of UM News, Eveline Chikwanah
The Rev. Bruce Hitchcock, superintendent of Eastern Ohio’s Northern Water District, mentioned those that left the group should comply with their hearts.
“It upsets me,” he mentioned, “however I additionally know that God is bigger than what I believe or what others suppose, and even detached I consider that God will do good and convey about good issues, even from such issues.”
Hitchcock was a part of a 12-member delegation from the East Ohio Conference who was visiting Africa University to witness the outcomes of the “Teach-Reach-Bless” marketing campaign.
Pastor Andrew Thompson of Caldwell United Methodist Church mentioned it was his first journey to Africa and his first time on a airplane.
When I requested him how he felt when he first got here to Africa University and noticed the great constructing that his convention had gifted to Africa University, he replied that it was indescribable.
“To take a look at the scholars and know that they are going to get this good thing that they’ve wanted for a very long time. I’m so joyful,” he mentioned.
For these in Eastern Ohio who weren’t capable of journey and see the brand new gap, Thompson mentioned: No matter how huge or small. ”
Africa University’s Bishop Tracy S. Malone Residence Hall was designed to supply a protected haven for feminine college students and foster an atmosphere conducive to tutorial and private development. The room has two beds, two personal work areas with desks and cabinets, two dressers, and a closet. Photo by Rick Wolcott of the Eastern Ohio Conference.
One of the primary residents of the Bishop Tracy S. Malone Residence is Valerie Tinodayche Nachipo, 22, who research medical laboratory science. She lived in a boarding home about 17 kilometers (about 10 miles) away.
She described the dormitory as a hostel, a house distant from dwelling the place it’s simpler to focus on research because it permits you to maximize your time and power.
“This hostel just isn’t solely aesthetically pleasing, however has additionally been designed for consolation and comfort with college students in thoughts,” she mentioned.
Nachipo mentioned the rooms are spacious and well-equipped, with sturdy Wi-Fi connectivity all through the constructing, offering a conducive atmosphere for learning.
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“Students have quick access to on-line assets for studying and don’t essentially need to go to the library as a result of they’ll examine from the consolation of their room’s examine nook,” she mentioned.
Chikombolero Jackie Mapaya, 19, learning worldwide relations and diplomacy, beforehand stayed in a campus hostel the place three residents shared a room.
“Bishop Tracy S. Malone Dormitory is not like another hostel on campus. The hostel has double rooms! I discovered this to be ideally suited for faculty life because it provides you a way of duty. Crowded It’s simpler to handle as a result of there are fewer of them,” she mentioned.
Mapaya felt that entry to on-campus lodging would permit girls to achieve independence and safety whereas persevering with their research.
“I’m honored to be one of many first residents. It means breaking down boundaries and paving the way in which for future generations of girls to have entry to protected, comfy and handy residing areas,” she mentioned. mentioned.
Africa University’s new residence corridor options six pupil lounges, two on every of the constructing’s three flooring. Named after African University’s East His Ohio Conference Affiliated Special Advocate, every lounge incorporates a sofa, tv, fridge, microwave, sink and countertop, water cooler, and huge home windows for loads of pure mild. I’m. Photo by Rick Wolcott of the Eastern Ohio Conference.
At the dedication ceremony, African University Vice President Rev. Peter Magheto counseled members of the Eastern Ohio Conference for rallying behind Mr. Malone’s name to provide in a spirit of sacrifice in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. did. He mentioned folks had been now capable of testify to the nice works God had performed by way of them.
“It’s one factor to have a imaginative and prescient. It’s one other factor to have the management aptitude and spirit to drive that imaginative and prescient, however what Bishop Malone did was step out and make this dream a actuality in a spirit of belief and confidence.” They made it occur,” Magueto mentioned.
The Teach-Reach-Bless marketing campaign was launched in January 2020 and has raised greater than $1 million in three years. Retired Pastor William “Bill” McFadden and his spouse Marty provided a $1 match problem reward for each $3 raised from all sources in 2021. Pastor McFadden has been a volunteer with Africa University for over 30 years and co-chaired the marketing campaign.
Participated within the inauguration ceremony on-line.
“We’re right here as we speak to have fun. Let’s go searching at one another and say what we see is the start of transformation within the lives of girls who’re altering the world,” McFadden mentioned. “When we hear that Eastern Ohio State has a necessity, Eastern Ohio State meets that want.”
Chikwana is a correspondent for UM News primarily based in Harare, Zimbabwe.