2010 Hanga Religious Seminary, Form Four Graduation

It is that time of the year for Ordinary Level Secondary Schools in Tanzania to say goodbye to the Form IV students having completed their secondary school education. At Hanga Seminary, run by St. Maurus Hanga Abbey, there were 32 seminarians graduating. Some of these young men will go on to become monks, some will be priests and some, hopefully, very good and well formed catholics. This year's graduation was held on the 22nd of October at the seminary grounds. The guest of honor was Fr. Christopher of Mbinga diocese (in southern Tanzania).

In the photos: the graduating class with gifts from relatives, Fr. Chrysostom, OSB, giving a speech with the guest of honor on his left and our reporter Frater Lucius further left.

St. Benedict Secondary School Graduation of 2010

Hanga Abbey is, once again this year, sending out envoys, the Form IV graduates who have been going to school for secondary education at St. Benedict Secondary School. This year's graduation was colored by two nuns of the Camaldole Congregation from Mafinga - Iringa (southern highlands of Tanzania) as first nuns to graduate from the school. In the photo Fr. Eliyo the guest of honor handing school leaving certificates with Fr. Angelo Mugaga Mselle (the headmaster on his left) Below: the nuns are being congratulated by Most Rev. Placidus Nkalanga, OSB. Further below: our reporter, Br. Lucius also had the opportunity to pose with the graduates.

Below some of the parents who came for the graduation cermony at St. Benedict Sec. School congratulating their children.

Hanga Dispensary Gets Donation for Cataract Surgeries

Hanga Abbey dispensary has been granted donations to take care of patients with cataracts problems. In 2008 eye optometrist Dr. Ed Tuhy from Klamath Falls, Oregon - USA discovered many people with the problem when he visited Hanga for eye glass prescription. Likewise this year 2010 Dr. Greg from Canada found more people with the problem and found out too that the patients can get the surgeries at Songea Regional Hospital for $30. Quite a few people have had the surgery. Our gratitude to parishioners of Sacred Heart catholic parish in Medford and St. Pius x Catholic church in Klamath Falls both in Oregon USA who donated for the cause.

One girl of 10 years old, Jackline Lunji, had a complicated situation was to be treated in Muhimbili National Hospital, about 700 miles from Hanga Abbey. For her it had to cost $400 because of travel and living expenses in Dar es Salaam. Yet her story is a rewarding success story.

In the photo: above Jackine with her parents at Hanga and when waiting for surgery in Dar es Salaam

Below: Jackline gets diagnosis before surgery

Jackline after surgery; Br. Stanislaus treats her with antibiotic ointment.

Abbey Dispensary Gets Donations for Cataract sugeries

Top photos: Jackline with her parents at home - Hanga and before her sugery in Muhimbili Hospital

It all began with Dr. Ed Tuhy, eye doctor, who visited Hanga Abbey in June 2009. He discovered quite a few people with cataract problems. Then this year Dr. Greg from Canada saw the same problem but noted that sugeries can be done in Songea Regional Hospital, 50km from Hanga, for $30. Already some have gotten the sugery. We thank parishioners of Sacred Heart in Medford and St. Pius X in Klamath Falls, both in Oregon - USA, for their generous donations for the cause.

A unique case happened with a girl of 10 years old, Jacline Lunji, who had to be refered to Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam, about 700 miles, from Hanga Abbey. She had stopped going to school for two years since she could not see. Her sugery went well and now she goes to school. It is definitely a rewarding story to hear!

In the pictures: Jackline outsite and in diagnosis rooms at Muhimbili Hospital

Below: Br. Stanislaus administers antibiotic ointment to Jackline after her surgery

Fr. Novatus Ngonyani, OSB Graduates with MA in Business Management

Fr. Novatus Ngonyani, OSB, of Hanga Abbey just graduated this last September 13th with MA in Business Management. He earned the degree in Holland at Maastrict School of Management within a year of hard work for it was a degree to be studied for two years! It almost crushed his head, but he prevailed! "Mwanaume wa shoka" translated as "A man of hard work and great determination!" We congratulate him for the achievement.

In the photos: top right Fr. Novatus getting a hand shake of congratulations from Dr. Peter de Gijsel and on left is Professor Aad van Mourik. Top right Fr. Novatus with some monks of Benedictusberg Abbey of Solemes Congregation: Fr. Martin Werry, Ans, Francine van Tuijl, Fr. Novatus, Abbot Adrian Lenglet and Markus Ballhausen from St. Ottilien. Bottom Fr. Novatus with fellow graduates from Tanzania.