Farewell to Volunteers at Hanga Health Center

The monks and staff members at Hanga Health Center had to say thanks to volunteers at the center as they bid the visitors goodbye. Mr. Otto and Ms. Alexandra have been working at the Health Center for more than a month in the pharmacy.  Both of them are students in pharmacy in Germany. They left mid  March going back to their homeland to continue with their studies. Another volunteer who said good bye after working at the Health Center was Frau Willma Haslinger from Austria. Ms. Bertha Mligo, an employee at the Center gets more experience and knowledge in the pharmacy field. She is a nurse by profession but has been assigned to keep medical storage room and do few things as pharmacist. We whole heartedly thank our volunteers.
Below a picture of Otto, Alexandra and Abbot Thadei who is delivering a farewell speech.

. Sitting (from left) are Sr. Anna, OSB, from Chipole Convent, Otto, Elexandra and Bertha Mligo. In the Right picture from right is Frater Lucius Matembo, OSB, the head of Hanga Health Center and our website reporter.

Also Frau Wilma Haslinger had the opportunity of having a cake of goodbye accompanied by Christa, a long time volunteer at the abbey both from Austria.

A Pastor Gets Donation to Help Orphans

      It began with our reporter, Frt. Lucius Matembo, OSB, who happened to visit Mgazini parish in the archdiocese of Songea in southern Tanzania. He found Fr. Pius Nchimbi with an assistant Sr. Siri, OSB, taking care of orphans and kids literally abandoned by their parents. Fr. Pius, the pastor of this Roman catholic parish church, realized the plight of these kids with no one to take care of them, not being sure of what to eat, what to do from day to day, decided to do something. In the old dilapidated buildings left by missionaries, with meager funds, he made minor repairs and got the children stay there under the care of Sr. Siri, OSB, a nun from Chipole convent in the archdiocese of Songea. For sure the children did not have splendid life but at least they were safe and able to eat.
       For some reason Frt. Lucius was able to sneak their photos and bring a word of need for the children to the US and the Pastor's struggle of taking care of them. Indeed there are good people out there. People donated funds to the children. With the funds Fr. Nchimbi was able to buy for the children new uniforms, beds, mosquito nets, chairs, tables, table ware for the children and playing items. Thanks to the benefactors and thanks to Fr. Pius Nchimbi and Sr. Siri, OSB, for dedicating their efforts to serve these little ones. Thanks also to Frater Lucius for getting a word out about these needy children.

 Compare this photo of children taken before they got assistance. In it the adults are Sr. Siri, OSB, Frt. Lucius, OSB, and Frater Gabriel Wangabo, OSB, with the children

In the photos; Fr. Pius Nchimboi, Sr. Siri, OSB, with the children in their new uniforms, new tables and chairs, and new table ware!

The children in new uniforms and each holding new mosquito nets. See also the matresses and beds on the left.