SISTERS APPLAUDED FOR TAKING CARE OF THE TEENAGE GIRLS IN SCHOOLS
Joy and jubilation characterised the celebrations at Ibenga Girls Secondary School as the school commemorated its Diamond Jubilee under the theme “60 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST.” Girls, parents and scores of people from other walks of life, especially Ibenga alumni, flocked to the school for the festival. Joyce Chibuye, the Alumni Chairperson who attended the school in 1975, could not hide her joy as she fully participated in all the day’s activities. ”As Ibenga celebrates its Diamond Jubilee in 2023, it gives me shivers. This morning I must have shed tears of joy as we were preparing to come to the celebration. It is really moving for me,” She said. Joyce commended the religious sisters who have worked at the school since its inception for gallantly taking care of the girls during their teenage years. She said the teenage stage is one of the most challenging stages in life to manage. ”This is why I give a big hand to the sisters at Ibenga, for they took care of us and are still trying their best to manage teenagers, who are actually very demanding to handle,” said Joyce. She encouraged the young Ibenga girls to listen to what the sisters and their teachers are telling them, assuring them they would never regret it. ”It’s only when we grow old that we realise there are things we shouldn’t have done, but when we were growing up as youngsters, we wanted to experience a lot of things because that’s part of life,” said Joyce. ”I would like the girls to be attentive and take their studies seriously so that they end up like some of us or even better. We would like to have the first woman president coming from Ibenga.” Joyce recollected her days at Ibenga in the 70s and the many lessons she learnt from the then head teacher, Sr. Alacoque of the Dominican Sisters of the Sacred Heart. She said that Sister Alacoque used to follow up with the girls to make sure they did what was right. ”I am grateful to the Dominican Sisters, especially Sr. Alacoque, who is still living in Germany, for teaching me to glorify God above everything else. Each time I come to Ibenga and look at the church, it gives me happiness because I learnt that God should come first in everything that one does as a teenager,” said Joyce. ”Even today, we put God first and everything comes back in full view of what we used to enjoy here at Ibenga.” Meanwhile, Joan Chipunza, a Grade Twelve pupil and head prefect of the ushers during the celebration, said the girls woke up with smiles and enthusiasm, determined to give their best to make the celebration a success. ”Everyone has put in so much that you could not even tell who the coordinator was anymore. I thank the girls for such great cooperation. Some are ushers, majorettes, altar girls, and others Stellas. Everyone is participating in some activity,” said Joan. Joan also reflected on how she had come to like the school and considers it the best school ever. ”Over the years, the school has had good results and maintained great standards. They have taught us good morals, how to maintain cleanliness and how to enjoy ourselves together during entertainment,” she said. ”On a personal level, I have learnt to put things aside and not jump to conclusions, but to behave in a mature way.” Upe Nalungwe also praised the sisters for imparting good values to the girls. She recounted how Sr. Estella Kasonde, the Headteacher, always told the prefects to be alert and vigilant by looking around, making sure all was in place and avoiding the sin of omission. And Mercy Kazembe, the president of the Interact Club, also expressed her pride in being at Ibenga. ”It’s the best school ever and I cannot imagine myself elsewhere,” she said. She thanked the school management for running the school with excellence and for all the activities they organise for the girls, which teach them many valuable lessons.
IBENGA GIRLS SECONDARY SCHOOL TOASTS DIAMOND JUBILEE
Right Reverand Benjamin Phiri, Catholic Bishop of Ndola Diocese has described Ibenga Girls Secondary School Diamond Jubilee celebration as victory of knowledge over ignorance as it has brought everyone closer to God. Speaking during his homily, Bishop Phiri reminded all to take the celebration as an appraisal of all their achievements. The diamond jubilee was celebrated under the theme “60 years of excellence in the light of Christ”. He noted that the establishment of the school by the Missionaries was meant to help them develop themselves in the process of knowing God so that they could pass on the knowledge for the salvation of souls. As we celebrate 60 years, we should evaluate ourselves if we have become better by relating well with others as God is in the neighbour. The children whom we train should be children pleasing to God. Someone may achieve academic education, become a great scientist talked about but if they do not know God, they are no better than the animal of the field. If we are able to relate better, then we are able to celebrate together. Bishop Benjamin And Bishop Phiri has encouraged the girls at Ibenga to remain focused on what made the school to be counted among the best schools in the country. Many girls come from afar to learn at Ibenga, as it is counted among the most prestigious and best schools in the country. Therefore, work hard if you want to pass. Bishop Benjamin Meanwhile, Bishop Phiri has advised the modern parents to impart good values and practices which will help the girls contribute positively to society. Nowadays, there are rights which children have which seem to obstruct any instruction of the child. Without any prejudice, God guides us and tells us what is right or wrong. True education is being able to know God. Christian education is paramount. Let us teach the children what God wants. Discipline, good behaviour by following what God wants will make the girls better citizens. Bishop Benjamin The celebration also acknowledged deserving people through the presentation of awards for distinguished service to the school during the period of its existence. Among those awarded were the late Bishop Francis Mazzierri posthumously the founder of the school and the first Head Mistress Sr. De Pace of the Dominican sisters and all past administrators. The representatives of the past managing agencies and heads in the three orders were acknowledged. Other notable awards went to the Alumni Chairperson Mrs. Joyce Chibuye for her unmatched commitment and one Ibenga girl who designed the diamond jubilee Chitenge. The school which is owned by the Catholic Diocese of Ndola was opened in 1963 by the Dominican sisters. The sisters worked until 1994 when they handed over the school to the Franciscan missionary sisters of Assisi. The sisters ran the school till 2020 when the Daughters of the Redeemer took over.