Dr. Catherine Mmbaga, Phd Advises Graduates Of Guardian Angels Schools
By our Correspondent
Saturday 12 November 2022 was a very special day for Guardian Angels schools. The schools are found at Dege Street, Somangila Ward, Kigamboni Municipal in the City of Dar es Salaam Tanzania. On that day, the pupils of Kindergarten school were graduating from their studies ready to join primary school studies next academic year 2023. The school management informed the guest of honor that this was the third batch graduation since the establishment of the schools in 2019. In addition, it was stated that the number of students who were graduating was twenty-eight (28), which is the first in size compared to the last two graduations, whereby last year 2021 only eleven children graduated. The official guest at the event was Dr. Catherine Masao Mmbaga, PhD a Lecturer and Research Fellow at the University of Dar es Salaam. Guardian Angels schools are divided into three schools in which there is a Kindergarten School registered under the Ministry of Social Welfare, a sports academy school for discovering and developing talents registered by the National Sports Council of Tanzania and a pre and primary School which is registered by the Ministry of Education, all the schools use the name of Guardian Angels.
The graduation ceremonies started at 8:00 AM in the morning where they were preceded by the Holy Mass which was celebrated by Fr. Godfrey Barasa, IMC the Consolata missionary and Parish Priest of Gezaulole. In his homily the priest preached to the congregation that these schools have been a source of formation for children in knowing God. He further expressed that always in various school events such as opening academic term, closing academic term, construction of buildings and graduations are always preceded by Holy Mass and so he said, “things of this kind must be a great blessing because God himself elevates those who rely on him”.
After the Holy Mass, the guest of honor signed the guest book in Managing Director’s office and later along with other guests were led by the Director towards the new constructed two storey building with twelve rooms where some of them will be used as a library, office, infirmary and classrooms. Informing the guest of honor about the progress of the construction of the building, the school Director said "Apparently we need four rooms, two for standard three and fourth, one for the office and the other one for the library. In addition, the Director of the school explained that the first phase which is the ground floor of four rooms has reached sixty-five percent (65%) to be completed.
Presenting their speech, the graduates informed the guest of honor that they have enjoyed studying at Guardian Angels schools and thanked their parents for that decision they made to take them to the school for their better future. They felt to have enjoyed good morals, love and proper education for their future. They requested their parents to bring them back for the academic year of 2023 to continue cultivating the formation and fundamental values for their future.
The Academic mistress Ms. Yasintha Haule in her message informed guest of honor and the congregation that all pupils have managed to reach an average of 75 percent which is the minimal academic performance criterion of Guardian Angels schools’ performance grading system. She further explained that there has been tremendous progress every year for kindergarten and primary school pupils.
The Head Teacher of the school Mr. Christian Madenge, addressed in his message that the school's plan is to be among the best schools in Tanzania. So he asked for cooperation between parents and teachers to achieve the school's goals. Mr. Madenge explicated that teaching is a calling by saying that "teaching is a noble profession that not anyone can do, they do those who are called for".
For his part, the Chairman of the Parents' Committee, Mr. Hilary Komba, expanded that there is a very good relationship between the school and parents and that parents are satisfied with the progress of the school and their children as well. The chairman urged parents to cooperate with the school in all aspects of development to enable children to gain knowledge and abilities to afford their future life. The Chairman's statement was supported by representative of parents of the graduating children the mother of Braison Ngonela, who expressed her sincere gratitude to the school management for making the event a success and that parents are happy with the progress of their children. The leader of the parents' committee of the graduates, Mr. Wiston Fungo, thanked the parents and school management for their support in the preparation of the children's graduation. They were thankful for better service offered by the school especially aligning with parents on payment of school fees and other education costs.
Kigamboni municipal social welfare officer Ms. Hilda Kifanga speaking at the graduation explained that Guardian Angels Kindergarten is conducive and safe centre for child care. She emphasized that the children of Guardian Angels learn many things not only on academic aspects but also are taught to obey God, they are given spiritual services which are very important for preparing the child to live knowing how to distinguish between the good and bad actions which is essentially worthy for the well-being of their lives.
The School Director in his speech to the guest of honor and the congregation expressed that the highly considered values of the school for children is continuous formation, Protection, Guidance and Leadership which are essentially the duties of Guardian Angels which the school faithful performs. He further explained that towards attainment of goals, targets and objectives of the school in line with the vision and mission, there are several academic infrastructures needed including a modern library, swimming pool, classrooms, infirmary, and equipment for teaching international languages such as French which is currently being taught at school.
The Director explained that Guardian Angels Sports Academy (GASA) for the year 2023, along with other sports, children will learn karate, music, athletics, bicycle racing, gymnastics, netball and football. He urged parents themselves to set the standard of formation and discipline of their children. Further, he urged parents to cooperate closely with the school because when pupils witness the good relationship between their parents and the school and parents participation in the development of the school children get motivated and increase their efforts in studies because it is normal for children to be interested and pay attention to things that their parents value.
The Director advised the graduates that the challenges they encountered while in school throughout the three years were because God was preparing them for greater destiny. He told them that every time he looks at them he remembers when he received them for the first time in school and that most of them were not able to be independent and not able to support themselves but now it is a joy for all the school staff that these children are independent and able to support themselves. He advised them to be good ambassadors of the school and also to always remember those who made them who they have become. "Be kind to people and love your parents", said the Director.
Dr. Catherine began her speech by giving thanks to God and she sincerely expressed that her presence before the audience is by grace of the Lord and not otherwise. Appearing to be speaking with a humbled heart and great sincerity she requested a Swahili song called "Uongezeke Yesu, mimi nipungue" which literally praises the Lord to be above over human being. She insisted that “it is so and that is the truth”. Her very first message was directly congratulating the teachers for the great work they are doing, she told the congregation that “I thought I am a Teacher, but what I have seen here has made humbled, God has brought me here to witness and learn of what it really means teaching”. She further highlighted that making these small children to become great as I have witnessed it’s a devotion and commitment of those called for. Dr. Catherine was inspired by the way children from low level called “Protectors Class” aged 2 or so years, to middle level called “Guiders Class” and to upper level called “Leaders Class – The graduating class” on how they were able to clearly show the advancement in respect to the level they are.
Dr. Catherine said; "I have seen how pupils shown their differences in accordance to their learning levels when they were advancing on stage for presentation, for example, those in the Protectors class are different from Guiders Class and these also were different from Leaders Class who are graduating”, one can note a clear and remarkable differences that’s why I salute the teachers doing this job, she insisted. She was further pleased with the way graduates were able to read their speech with confidence and clarity.
The guest of honor congratulated the Managing Director and his leadership team for their efforts in educating children. Dr. Catherine elaborated that “I know the Director as a brother and our spiritual leader, when he called me regarding the invitation I took it lightly knowing that I am invited to join other guests but when I received the invitation letter then my mind shifted to something different from what I initially thought of” she commended that the work done towards development of the school is amazing, great and the growth has been of un imaginable pace. She expressed that “I was here on inauguration day of this school August 2019 but today what I can see here are the miracles of the Lord revealed. The ceremony leader commented that "Should I have been with a kid to take to school, this should have been my destination and in fact just in case I come to meet someone in need of a school for her/his child this is my reference point".
The ceremony leader advised the graduating pupils that the stage they have reached is not that they have finished but that they have entered a very important stage to continue with the higher steps. She invited the graduates in the academic arena and that among them others may become Doctors, others Lawyers, teachers and other fields, she acknowledged that getting to that destination of professionalism the stage the have advanced is very crucial. She further advised them to love their parents is important because parents give themselves in many things that concern their children.
Turning to the parents, Dr. Catherine advised them to be careful and monitor the children's issues and concerns and particularly morals, education and spirituality. She acknowledged that parents may be very busy with various issues such as to find income for the well-being of the family, but they should not forget the basic responsibility of child care, to monitor their children step by step, to cooperate with the school so that they children can achieve what is expected. She touched on the erosion of morals which is currently like a global crisis, so she urged parents to pay attention to the morals of their children. She praised the school for bringing up children in a spiritual environment which will help them to strengthen and improve their morals, discipline and responsibility by that she then encouraged the school leadership to continue with those efforts, “never lose this theme”, she said.
Dr. Catherine told the parents that with the services that seem to be provided in the school, Guardian Angels is the best place for their children. In the end, she contributed to school development activities and with books for the library, which was supported by parents and other invited guests.
The graduation ceremony was draped with various academic performances by pupils of Kindergarten and Primary school. Sports featured include singing, drama, French language presentation and acrobatics.
The ceremony officially came to end after Managing Director reminded the graduates that the guiding verse of the school is psalm 91:11-12. Furthermore, he elaborated that “when any pupil comes to this school we believe that has been brought by Guardian Angels thus upon graduating in this school verses must be read for graduates as a prayer but also as a means to remind them that they are under protection of Guardian Angels”, thus he read Psalm 91:9-14 for the graduates while standing.
