Progress In Eye Services at Hanga Dispensary

Since the 2008 when Dr. Ed Tuhy of Klamath Falls, Oregon -USA came to Hanga for eye services, the project has been doing very well. Dr. Tuhy had organized donation of glasses from the US. Then he trained Br. Stanislaus to do simple diagnosis for people with eye sight. Now Hanga dispensary receives many people who need eye glasses to see. Also through monetary donations from the US other patients with problems of eye cataracts have been helped. One particular case is of two children: one of 10 years and another of 3 years were operated in Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam. The two children are now doing fine.

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In the photo Br. Lucius with Sisters who came to have eye glasses.

Jackline Lunji who had surgery in both eyes, in Dar es Salaam, she is now back school.

More people who have had eye surgeries.

A boy of 3 years was successfully operated on his left eye in Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam.

Bishop Gervas Placidus Nkalanga, OSB, of Hanga Abbey Celebrates 50 Years as a Bishop

A monk of Hanga Abbey, and retired bishop of Bukoba northwestern Tanzania, Gervas Nkalanga, OSB, celebrated 50 years as a bishop on June 2011. He was joined by more than 30 bishops from Tanzania Espiscopal Conference including Polycarp Cardinal Pengo and the archbishop of Songea Norbert Mtega who also celebrates 25 years as a bishop. Bishop Nkalanga is praised for his humility and simplicity as he lives his monastic life among other monks of Hanga. Being a native of Bukoba, where bananas form a stapple food, he has established and always has been working in his banana garden.

Bishop Nkalanga with frater Fraternus shortly before Holy Mass for his jubilee began.

Bishop Nkalanga with retired abbot Alcuin, archbishop Norbert, Cardinal Pengo and abbot Thadei Mhagama, OSB, of Hanga Abbey.

The former president of the Republic of Tanzani Benjamin Mkapa with his wife were also present. In the picture to the right of the president is archbishop Norbert Mtega and behind him is Abbot Thadei Mhagama, OSB, the abbot of Hanga Abbey.

The monks of Hanga Abbey with bishops who came to celebrate jubilee with bishop Nkalanga.

Nuns from different religious convents were present for the jubilee

Bishop Nkalanga at his banana garden with the youths in monastic formation at Nakagugu.

St. John's University Students in Minesota, USA, Visit Hanga Abbey

This June 2011, students from St. John's University are visiting Hanga Abbey. The University has a history of sending its alumni to volunteer at Hanga abbey and sending some students for cultural experience. This year's group is being led by Mr. Benjamin who formerly stayed at Hanga and teaching at St. Laurent Englishm medium Elementary school back in 2008/09. The group has visited Lake Nyasa, Mikumi National Park, and Zanzibar. The also had the opportunity of staying with families for a day to really experience Tanzanian village life.

In the photo: the goup is posing a picture with Br. Kizito Ndunguru, OSB, the guest master at Kurasini, Dar es Salaam. Br. Kizito is second from left.

Below the group from St. John's university at Hanga Abbey with Br. Lucius (our reporter).

Do not be left out, come one, come all, and experience Tanzanian culture, natural beuty and wild life!

The New Bishop of Mbinga Diocese Visits Hanga Abbey

In March 2011, the diocese of Mbinga in Southern Tanzania had a news of the election of a new bishop, Fr. John Ndimbo as a new bishop of the diocese taking over after the resignation of bishop Emmanuel Mapunda. Fr. John Ndimbo was ordained a bishop for the diocese on June 5, 2011. Three days before his ordination he visited Hanga Abbey to greet the monks. Bishop Ndimbo has a history of having gone to Hanga seminary for his elementary school education back in 1975-77. He attended secondary school at Likonde seminary in Mbginga and Theology school at Peramiho Major seminary. After his ordination in 1989 Bishop John was sent to the Phillipines where he earned degree in Mathematics. Upon his return to his diocese he was named the Rector of Likonde seminary where he served until 2009 when he was named to be Education Secretary of Tanzania Episcopal Conference.

We wish bishop John Ndimbo many blessings and success in his pastoral ministry for the diocese of Mbinga and the world over.

In this photo above: from left - Frater Lucius Matembo, OSB, ( a schoolmate of bishop Ndimbo at Hanga seminary in the 1970's) bishop Ndimbo, and Prior Frater Odo Nanyanje, OSB.

In the pictures below bishop Ndimbo with monks at Hanga Abbey, also cutting a special cake that was made for his honor.

Bishop John Ndimbo in his attire as bishop and his court of arms.