Visit to Anglican Diocese of Tarime, Tanzania

In August 2024, at the Anglican Aid Conference, CDP was introduced to Bishop Mwita Akiri from the Anglican Diocese of Tarime, Tanzania. CDP took the opportunity to explain briefly about the work it did.  Subsequently, an invitation was given to CDP to visit the Diocese of Tarime in Tanzania.

In the official invitation, Bishop Mwita said

“During your visit, you will be able to discuss with us the possibility of mid-term and long-term partnership in the area of economic empowerment especially for women’s groups which is part of the work we do.  We do this as part of our community development projects and programmes to contribute to the development of the poor in Tarime district and Mara region in general.  Also you will be able to visit some of the existing groups under Village Community Banks (VICOBA) and Church and Community Mobilization Process (CCMP).”

Bishop Akiri told me that, because he was retiring in March 2025, the diocese had made a decision not to start any new projects.  However, because he felt encouraged after speaking to me, he had decided to make the invitation.

On 30th September, I boarded a plane in Sydney bound for Tarime.  A  journey that would have four flights and a long drive as well as one 11hr layover in Dar es Salaam.

Coworkers

I worked with Community Development Workers who are based at the Mogabiri Farming Extension  Centre (where I stayed) and women from Mothers Union.  Being with them almost every day for a month meant I forged great relationships with each of them and they appreciated what I wanted to do to support their existing work.

TALANTA PRE-PRIMARY SCHOOL

A very pleasant experience to see children happy in the environment of Talanta (we grow talents).   

A kind Kenyan family from Wilton Anglican Church sent a gift of a soccer ball which was enthusiastically received!

Very different to Australian pre-school settings with desks in each classroom.  There are no toys used so no play-based learning.  Most children communicated in English

Feedback from the teaching staff was that the children enjoyed using the resources that had been gifted to them and were always asking to use them.  This gives teachers a time to observe individual students as each carries out their activities.

They would welcome more, and the director of Ruse Preschool (near Campbelltown) has pledged support by providing whatever they need.  This will depend on CDP receiving an invitation to visit again from the new Bishop of Tarime next year and being able to take what is given.

Visits to Future Girls’ School

Over the course of my visit to Tarime, I accompanied Diocesan staff several times to the construction site.  Each visit saw trades people working on every building.  The whole site was a hive of activity each time we went.

After a visit by government inspectors, Bishop Akiri was advised that two more classrooms must be provided prior to the school opening.  The justification for this is that even though 2025 would only see girls in Yr8 enrolled, the overall intention is to enroll girls through to Yr11.

This extra classroom block did not take long to come out of the ground!

The block of land for the school is rural and creates a very green environment.  It is grassy and, once construction has finished, the grass will grow back everywhere.  This will mean that mud should not be an issue in the wet season. The block is sloping down to a creek which is good for run-off.

By the time I left Tarime, I saw the tiling had been completed in the shower and toilet block as well as the classroom and veranda floors.

Scholarships

CDP will be providing scholarships for a number of girls from poor families who have shown potential in primary school.  Some will be from the church and others from the wider community.

The cost for one year is approx AUD1000 inclusive of full-board and uniforms.

One supporter has pledged two scholarships and is fundraising to provide the funds.  If anyone feels they would like to contribute to this project, please contact me by either SMS 0409 268 851 or email ann.shephard@cdprojects.org.  

100% of contributions will go directly to pay for the scholarships.  Contact with each girl will be established so they and their families may know who is sponsoring them.

Village Banks

Even though this visit was to be an evaluation exercise, CDP recognised an immediate opportunity to be of assistance.  Church and Community Mobilization Project, an initiative of the Anglican Church of Tanzania, was given to Mothers’ Union to implement.

Village banks mobilise people and create access to basic financial services to poor households on a sustainable basis through community/village mutual trust, relationships, accountability,  and participation.

By visiting some village banks and working with the Mothers’ Union, it became evident that they only been able to help 8 parishes in establishing village community banks (VICOBA) due to resources running out.

CDP worked with MU to develop a plan and budget to have all parishes trained and able to open village banks before the end of 2024.  Training was held 22nd and 23rd November at Mogabiri and follow up with parish will take place in December.  CDP funded this project.

A further project is planned in 2025 where MU will train leaders from each parish how to teach mothercraft skills to young women.  It will cover things such as home hygiene and good nutrition with the aim of reducing the number of children who become sick due to the lack of knowledge and skills.

CDP has worked with MU and provided templates to develop a formal budget and rollout plan.

The pictures below show leaders from each parish participating in the training.

Visit to Mara Diocese

I had been fortunate enough to be introduced by a friend to Eddie Ozols.  Eddie retired from Anglican Aid two years ago and now works as a volunteer in the Mara Diocese.  He makes two visits to Tanzania each year and provides much needed skills to the Bishop in the area of Business Management.

As we were in Tanzania at the same time and in adjoining dioceses, Eddie invited me to meet the Bishop of Mara.  We met with Mothers’ Union and Community Development officers as well as visiting the cafe and shop at the Cathedral.  The shop had been started by a former CMS Australia Misssionary, Amy Vink.  The products (all sewn) are of excellent quality and the mango smoothy I had really hit the spot!

Bunda

Bunda is in the Mara Diocese and I was privileged to stay overnight in the new Visitor Lodge on the same site as Bunda Girls School and the Bunda Bible College.  The lodge is very comfortable.  

Eddie arranged a trip into the Serengeti National Park for a few people and we entered the park from Bunda.

Some of you who are CMS supporters may remember the days when MAG used to send filled containers to Tanzania.  A number of those containers were used to start the bible college.  Cleverley, they have been built in to the buildings and are a lasting legacy to MAG.

I was very pleased to visit places I knew about and see the work that had been started by Helen Hoskins.  It was a Friday night and the girls were cleaning their dorms and facilities.  There was a lot of frivolity when we approached.  Drenched girls from water fights with mops!

Farewell Dinner

Bishop Akiri arranged to give me a farewell dinner at Mogabiri.  It was very humbling to see so many people come.  There were clergy, Mogabiri staff, MU, Talanta teachers and a Compassion director.

Goodbye!

When I left, a conference for leaders from all parishes in the Tarime Diocese was being held.  To say a final “farewell”, all the delegates gathered before breakfast for this photograph.