TANZANIA: Sisters of Mary Inaugurate a Special School for Girls from Poor Families in Dar es Salaam
Sarah Pelaji
Sisters of the Congregation of Sisters of Mary from the Philippines have inaugurated a special school for girls from poor families in Kisarawe in the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam on 10th December 2020.
The Sisters of Mary School shall offer free secondary education to poor girls from Form 1 to Form 6, with free vocational training and help them to seek jobs.
Leading Holy Mass for the inauguration, the Archbishop of the Dar es Salaam Most. Rev. Jude Thaddaeus Ruwa’ichi OFM Cap thanked the Sisters of Mary who sacrifice their life for the poor.
“On behalf of the Archdiocese and other Catholic bishops in the country, I congratulate and thank you for opening the Sisters of Mary School to offer free education to our girls from vulnerable society. We don’t take this for granted for you teach and challenge us in living the Gospel by serving one another and loving the poor,” he said.
Archbishop Ruwa’ichi thanked the Archdiocese for providing the land for the construction of the school, all the bishops, priests and people of good will who have supported the Sisters of Mary to successful complete the construction of the school.
He also appreciated the Sisters for serving girls from all religions and tribes. “We will continue to work with you, in providing a high-quality service. Trust in my cooperation with you,” he said.
The Former Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, His Excellency Fredrick Sumaye, who participated in the inauguration, also appreciated the Sisters for their mission to the poor in Tanzania.
“Perhaps the parents of these children were wondering how they would educate their children but God has answered their concern through the existence of the school. We Tanzanians may think that these Sisters have a lot of money and have no any other obligations in their country to come to Tanzania. No. They have a lot of responsibilities and they struggle for donors to support the poor in Tanzania. So, our obligation is to respect them and provide our support, which encourages them,” he said.
“We need to provide security for them so that they find comfort instead of grief.
Let us maintain peace and never disturb the peace and development of this school,” continued Sumaye.
He assured the nuns of his cooperation if and when they see they need government help, urging them not to hesitate to involving him in the development of the school.
Addressing the ceremony, the Superior General of the Sisters of Sisters of Mary worldwide Sisters Mary Cho thanked all those who attended the opening of the school.
“What we are seeing today is wonders of God and his people who have shown solidarity with us, especially the Archdiocese of Dare es Salaam who donated the land, and the government through the Ministry of Education which gave us permission to establish this school. There are some bishops, priests, nuns and faithful who helped us in various ways to reach this stage,” she said.
She explained that the importance of this school lies in the mission and vision aimed at alleviating the suffering of the poor. “Reducing the suffering of the poor is not only about providing free food, clothing and shelter but also preparing children to be self-sufficient and helping the families to break the chains of poverty in society by contributing to their well-being. The best way is to give them a good education, technical education, to be honest, grateful and loving others.”
“To you girls, your parents and the community have high expectations from you. Make the most use of your time here at school, be faithful in learning, praying, working and playing. As pioneers here be thankful to God who enabled you to be chosen from among the thousands of other children who also wanted to be here,” she insisted.
The French Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr. Frederic Clavier thanked and appreciated Sisters for their commitment to helping the poor in Tanzania. He also thanked the Catholic Church in Tanzania for being generous to the Sisters and for the cooperation that enabled them to build the school.
He thanked the Tanzanian government for its sincere cooperation.
