TANZANIA: Bishop Maluma reminds the society to care for the disabled

The death of Tanzanian conjoined twins Maria and Consolata Mwakikuti who died after suffering from respiratory complications at a local hospital in Tanzania, should be a reminder to Tanzanians and the entire society to care for people living with disabilities.

Tanzania Conjoined twins who died at the age of 21 on Saturday June 2nd. [Courtesy] — **Tanzania Conjoined twins who died at the age of 21**
**on Saturday June 2nd. [Courtesy]**

Speaking during the burial ceremony of the late conjoined twins Maria and Consolata at Tosamaganga Iringa on 6^th, June, 2018, The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Njombe Rt. Rev. Alfred Maluma said that, the two, whose parents died while they were still infants, were raised by the Catholic nuns of charity Maria Consolata, who adopted and named them after their congregation.

Bishop Maluma disclosed that, the twins were raised spiritually, mentally and academically and had begun a course in education with a view to becoming teachers in history, English and Swahili, before they became ill in January, notably suffering from cardiac problems.

“That is the reason why after they had completed their secondary education, they went to the Catholic University of Ruaha so that they may become teachers and serve the nation,” he added.

The Bishop recalled that, after an apparent improvement in their health, the sisters continued their treatment at a hospital near their university, where they died on Saturday.

The twins were abandoned by their mother after the death of their father, and later taken in by a Catholic mission.

He also appreciated those who took care of them saying that, this has given the community a challenge to care for people with disabilities. “Maria and Consolata will be remembered for their humor and their faith in God,” he said.

Meanwhile the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Iringa Rt. Rev. Tarsicius Ngalalekumtwa also urged the community members to have the heart of tolerance in their biological differences. “This is how people lived with Consolata and Maria. They loved them, they appreciated them and took care of them,” he said adding that, “Maria and consolata also had courage and faith in God. That is why they had to struggle in their academic studies and spiritual life.

This gives us a lesson of tolerance, love and unity among us. May they rest in Peace,” He said.

Maria and Consolata were born in Ikonda, the district of Makete in western Tanzania in 1996. They shared organs including their liver and lungs, however had two separate hearts.

They studied at Ikonda Primary School before joining the secondary school of Maria Consolata and proceeded for A level studies (form five and six) in Udzungwa Secondary school. They joined the Catholic University of Ruaha, Iringa in 2017.

They began to suffer heart disease in December, 2017 and were transferred to Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, where they were admitted for two months.

They were taken back to Iringa and passed on, on 2^nd, June, 2018.

∽End∽

By Sarah Pelaji,