Zebilla Community.

 

Zebilla community was officially opened in 1996. It has a long history. Already during the nineteen eighties and nineties, the Bishop of Navrongo-Bolgatanga, Mgr. Rudolph Akanlu of blessed memory, repeatedly approached the Brothers FIC to open a community there. I remember that in the early nineties he took me on a trip of the Upper East to show me possibilities. In the end we settled for Zebilla, because it was a primary evangelisation area and the people in the villages around Zebilla did not have an opportunity for schooling. People had at one time tried to build a school, but it had collapsed and they were ready for a new one. 

We felt it was a clear option for the poor if we started a school there. Bro. Leander generously agreed to lead this venture, which at the beginning was very difficult, because the accommodation for the Brothers was very poor and far away from the school. It was only after building our own house that matters improved. 

When we started there, Zebilla was still an outstation of Bawku parish, about 50 kms away from there. Bishop agreed that Zebilla would be first priority if and when the Diocese would decide to open a new parish, which happened soon after we settled there. 

St. Charles Lwanga Primary and Junior High School is now one of the leading schools in the District. Even though quite far away from the centre of town, people send their children there, because of the quality of education. Bro. Godwin, the Headmaster, has a very good relationship with the District Education authorities and this makes it a little easier for him. The Brothers are closely involved in Parish life; there is a very close interaction between the parish leadership and the Brothers. When I was visiting there, Bro. Godwin was asked to meet the children of the parish and help 

them prepare for Easter. This was a very lively gathering where it became clear what an important role we as Brothers can play in these situations. 

Bro. Clovis has recently been appointed provincial Aspirancy coordinator and he therefore tries to meet young people interes- ted in FIC religious life, which is not always easy, as Bro. Raphael explained from his experience in Damongo. It is important, says Clovis, that all Brothers in the Province take a keen interest in this recruitment and are prepared to make sacrifices as individual persons (having time to talk with interested candidates) and as a community (when aspirants are invited to get to know the Brothers more closely). 

Bro. Gregory has retired from active teaching service, but helps out in Zebilla community as well as at the school. This keeps him busy. 

Bro. Hypolite teaches full-time at the school and at the same time is a student doing the sandwich course of the University of Education, Winneba.