Frater Stanislaus Mwinuka, OSB, in Training to Become an Optometrist

The Abbey St. Bernard's dispesary is expanding its service an endeavor that began last year with Dr. Ed Tuhy from the US to serve people with eye sight problems. In the move our Frater Stanislaus Mwinuka, OSB, is being trained temporarily at Songea regional hospital (close to Hanga Abbey). Later on the Brother is expected to go to school of optometry in Moshi (northern Tanzania). Since the school in Moshi is very competitive in terms of opportunity, it is hoped that through recommendation from Songea hospital will increase the chances of being accepted for the schooling.

In the photos: Frater Stanislaus in practice at Songea regional hospital.

Frater Josefat, OSB, Graduates with Diploma in Nursing

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............... ... ... ... ... We congratulate our confrere Frater Josephat Haule, OSB, our own monk, for graduating with diploma in nursing. On July 31st a few monks went to attend his graduation ceremony at St. Joseph Hospital in Peramiho, about 1.30 hours car drive from Hanga Abbey. We are very happy to have more of our monks in the medical field since it is such a need for the people we serve at our dispensary which is always congested with patients. In the photo frater Josephat with monks and friends who attended his gratuation ceremony.

The 2010 St. Laurent Primary School Graduates

St. Laurent Primary school has 42 pupils of Standard Seven graduating this year. They are expected to sit for their final national examinations sometime this year 2010 before the general elections of senators and president in October in the country. The class had their graduation ceremony early July this year. We wish them good preparations for their final examinations.

Video on water supply sources

These video clips show the various sources of water which people use. Many of the sources are bacteria contaminated and only a few are clean - the ones from water tap and hand pumps.

Two men make their monastic vows at Hanga Abbey

On July 11th 2010 the monks of St. Hanga abbey were happy to receive two young men (Brothers Fraternus Mjwahuki and Bonifasi Sanga) who made their first monstic vows as monks. We welcome them to serve the Lord in God's house of Hanga Abbey. In the photo from left are Br. Fraternus, Bishop Placidus Nkalanga, Abbot Thadei Mhagama, and Br. Bonifasi.

Eye clinic at Hanga in progress with great prospect

Thanks to Dr. Ed Tuhy of Klamath Falls, Oregon (USA) who pioneered to collect eye glasses for people in southern Tanzania and began this service at Hanga abbey last year 2009. With basic training to Br. Stanislaus, Br. Benedict and Br. Lucius the service continues. People can get eye glasses after simple eye sight diagnosis. This year 2010 Dr. Tuhy managed to have his friend Dr. Greg from Canada come to Hanga for more help in diagnosing eye problems and giving more training to the Brothers in doing the service. Meanwhile Brs. Stanislaus and Benedict are expected to go to optometry school this September. We cross our fingers because there is only one such school in Tanzania and so chances are very limited. In the photo: left- optometry student from Hollond examines a petient with vision problem. Right- Dr. Ed Tuhy sorting and showing Br. Lucius glasses that he (Dr. Tuhy) brought from USA. Bottom- Br. Lucius is opening a box of eye glasses shipped from the US by Lion's Club in Redding (CA)).

Fr. Octavian Masingo, OSB, a new priest for Hanga as of June 2010

Ordination:

Fr. Octavian Masingo, OSB, of Hanga Abbey was ordained to priesthood on June 17th this year 2010. A native of Singida region in Northern Tanzania Fr. Masingo has been a monk of Hanga Abbey for eight years. In the photo: Fr. Octavian Masingo, OSB, the newly ordained priest, with abbot Thadeus Mhagama, OSB, of Hanga Abbey