The Kingston-Matabeleland Link

The Kingston-Matabeleland Link seeks to share fellowship and faith across dioceses, connecting the Kingston Episcopal Area with the Diocese of Matabeleland in Zimbabwe.

In November 2024, Bishop Martin and a team from Kingston visited the Diocese of Matabeleland. Travelling across the Diocese, which stretches from Victoria Falls to Bulawayo, the team visited schools, churches, and sites for new projects, and strong relationships were formed and deepened. These relationships continue to grow, and exciting plans are underway for the further development of the Link.

Among the building projects planned for the Diocese by Bishop Cleophas, Bishop of Matabeleland, is St Cecilia’s School in Lupane. In August 2025, Bishop Martin completed his epic Pennine Way challenge, completing 10 marathons in 10 days and raising an amazing £30,000 for the project.

The Diocese of Matabeleland is also planning the construction of the churches of Holy Trinity, Monde and St Mark's, Filabusi.

St Cecilia's Secondary School, Lupane

St Cecilia's School will allow many children to attend a local secondary school without having to make long journeys to do so. Many children currently walk up to 10km to get to their nearest school, a dangerous journey leaving many, particularly girls, unable to attend. The land was cleared and a bore hole was dug by a team of local volunteers, allowing for latrines, a caretaker's house and garden, and goats! This foundation is the first step towards a vision for classrooms, dormitories, a dining hall and rectory. The school is still under construction, but already offering an education to local children. When we met fourteen-year-old pupil Ntokozo she said “Before we had hope, but now we have hope realised.”

Holy Trinity, Monde

The foundation stone of Holy Trinity Church, Monde, was laid by Bishop Cleophas in 2023. The church now has walls but no ceiling. After meeting outside for a long time, the church's congregation will soon have a building to worship in, a hugely meaningful prospect for Reuben and Clothilde (below), who donated the land.

St Mark's, Filabusi

The church of St Mark's, Filabusi currently gathers under a tree for worship. There are plans for the site to house a church and clinic, and 20,000 bricks have so far been made and donated by the local community to begin construction.

Celebrating our link:

Creator God, who is present in the wind in the trees, the sun in the sky, and the rain on the earth, in Matabeleland and London, bless our Link that we may reflect your loving Trinity, in partnership, prayer and friendship, and make known your Kingdom across our communities. Amen

We invite you to make a donation to support the work of the Link and the churches and schools in the Diocese of Matabeleland. To learn more, and to follow the projects supported by your donations, go to: https://southwark.anglican.org/about-us/who-we-are/kingston-episcopal-area/

Monies donated to the Kingston-Matabeleland Link will be used to

• support projects identified by the Diocese of Matabeleland

• facilitate exchange visits

• support Link events and other means of promoting the Link

Expenditure decisions are approved by the Link Committee and reported annually. The signatories to the Link bank account are the Bishop of Kingston, the Link Chair and Treasurer.

All projects are conducted in accordance with the Diocese of Matabeleland’s safeguarding policies.