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Companion Synod

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania-Southern Diocese

 

Hatua Kwa Hatua

--

Step by Step

 

Information and Resources:

Letter from Bishop Lukilo - January, 2008

Companion Synod Covenant

Companion Congregation Covenant  Companion Congregation Information

Tanzania Country Packet

Tanzania Map

Map of Southern Diocese Congregations

Speakers Bureau

 

The companion synod relationship between the Western Iowa Synod ELCA and the Southern Diocese ELCT has grown and deepened considerably over recent years, resulting in many blessings from God for all who encounter it.

 

Some values we uphold within the relationship include:

Accompaniment: that is, we walk together, Hatua Kwa Hatua/Step By Step, as our motto indicates. Decisions are reached together through mutual and direct conversations in a trusting relationship. We also continually look for gifts to share and receive on many levels -- materially, culturally, spiritually, etc.

Sustainability: we work to devise relationship and project parameters that ensure healthy, ongoing foundations.

Transparency: we make known to many what our funds are designated for and look for the follow-through on return visits to Tanzania.

 

Companion Synod Sunday -- June 6, 2010

Annually scheduled for the first Sunday in June, this is a special opportunity for congregations in the Western Iowa Synod and parishes in the Southern Diocese to mutually celebrate and lift up the special relationship we have been entrusted in the name of Jesus Christ. See below for worship ideas, shared prayers, special offering ideas, etc., from the synod office that will help you make this a special worship opportunity!

 

Companion Synod Synod Worship Resources

Focal Verse: "... that we may all be One ..." - John 17:21a

 

Suggested Music                                           Auction

ELCA Worship Celebration Resources       Partner Projects (2010 brochure)

Bulletin Insert                                                Companion Synod Covenant

Prayers                                                            Companion Congregation Covenant

                                                                          Companion Congregation Information

 

Resident Coordinators: 

 

Rev. Gabriel Nduye: We are blessed to have had a very talented Tanzanian, the Rev. Gabriel Nduye, (trained both as a pastor and as an administrator at Tumaini University) to assist and manage the many components of our Hatua Kwa Hatua/Step By Step program from mid-2006 through 2009. His assistance has been immeasurable as he managed project funds, enhanced overall communications, attended to various project details, planned for and received WIS visitor groups, etc. Pastor Gabriel has been the glue and the shoes that allow our relationship to keep moving forward Hatua Kwa Hatua! We are pleased to announce that Pastor Gabriel has been granted a two-year ELCA International Scholarship to attain a Master of Arts in Theology and Development at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, a premier university in South Africa, starting Feb. 2010. This degree will enable Pastor Gabriel to return to the Southern Diocese better equipped to holistically coordinate and develop programs within the church and community contexts. Please keep Pastor Gabriel in your prayers as he embarks on this important journey.

 

Rev. Seth Mlelwa:  We are additionally blessed to have the Rev. Seth Mlelwa walk in Pastor Gabriel’s shoes during his absence. Pastor Seth has a Master’s in Theology and has served the Southern Diocese extensively as pastor, educator, and parish/district/diocesan youth director. Coupled with a background in holistic mission, conflict resolution, and international experiences, we are confident that Pastor Seth can successfully attend to the various duties and components of the Hatua Kwa Hatua program. Please welcome him to this new role and assist him wherever possible.

 

 

Partner Projects of the Hatua Kwa Hatua/Step By Step Companion Synod Program

Center for Agricultural Development (CAD):

 

Striving to improve the livelihood and dignity of Tanzanian smallholder farmers !!

 

Who are the major collaborators and contributors ?

 

v The Western Iowa Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, whose constituents have thus far pledged over $250,000 over the next three years toward the implementation of this project.

v The Southern Diocese Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, whose constituents have committed the profits from their diocesan tea plantation (and other agricultural initiatives) toward the sustainability of CAD. The smallholders themselves will additionally provide sweat equity to assist in the development of facilities and demonstration plots, and will actively participate as voices of input, students, and project supporters and evaluators.

v The Bavarian Mission Church of Germany will provide for the provision of the first CAD coordinator for a 4-year period — a German agricultural engineer and economist.

v Iowa State University Extension and Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania will work to provide multicultural technical and agricultural expertise.

v Other capacity-building support groups include the national churchwide offices of both the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and in Tanzania, the governments of both Tanzania and the USA, area Peace Corps volunteers, ISUE interns, and varied volunteers both in the USA and in Tanzania.

 

What are the relationship and Project Values ?

 

v Accompaniment — whereby we walk together in the discussions and decisions that ensue within this relationship and project

v Sustainability — whereby we seek teaching to fish rather than giving a fish, and for increased Tanzanian stakeholder ownership of the project

v Transparency — whereby we strive for open accountability and reporting to all constituents involved in the project.

 

Who are the Tanzanian smallholder farmers ?

 

 

 

They are men, women, and youth who work diligently to subsist on 2-5 acres of land. One unforeseen setback (drought, flood, pests, governmental policies, economic downturn, etc.) can mean the difference between food and famine, between educating their children or not, and, in some cases, between life and death. Note:  80% of Tanzanians are directly involved in and are dependent upon agriculture for their livelihood and it is believed that growth in agriculture is twice as effective in reducing poverty as growth in other sectors.

 

 

 

How will cad be implemented ?

 

v CAD will develop a teaching center to work directly with the smallholder farmers to increase productivity and profitability so as to enhance the sustainable economic development of their farmers and their communities. 

v The action plan will entail demonstration plots that showcase symbiotic uses of crop and livestock, 4-H type programs, and short training courses that address agricultural practices, entrepreneurial skills, marketing, storage, delivery, environmental concerns, cooperative components, etc. — all in very hands-on experiential formats.

v Women and youth will be strongly encouraged to participate in that they are primary agriculturalists who will emerge as primary instruments of change.

v Future plans include satellite sites whereby the CAD program can be duplicated among different populations and climate structures within the Southern Diocese.

  

How will cad make a difference ?

 

v Increased productivity and profitability will enhance overall standards of living AND levels of human dignity as we improve health, education, social and economic realities.

v Agriculture will be better viewed as a viable and valuable life choice for youth and adults.

v Families will be enabled to stay united in rural areas, rather than migrating to urban centers for employment and educational opportunities.

v Increased participation in this struggle for justice and compassion will deepen the spiritual nature and development of all those involved, leading to greater overall global understanding and Christian response.

v The lives of many may not only be affected, but, in many cases, sustained through the resulting social and economic advances.

   

The impacts of CAD are virtually endless, allowing for the light of compassion to shine brighter in the midst of struggles and hopefulness. 

 

Let us come together as we

 

Plant a program

 

     Implement ideas

 

          Harvest goals

 

                actualize dreams !!

 

 

Please contact Cindy Wells, Western Iowa Synod Global Programs Coordinator, with any questions or needs you may have (wiscw@wisynod.org; 712-732-4968, ext. 441).

 

 Companion Synod verse:  …”...that they may all be One””……………………  (John 17:21a).

 

Asante sana (Thank you very much)

 &

 Mungu awabariki  (God Bless You All) !!

 

 

Well Project:

 

Fresh, clean water continues to flow in the Southern Diocese of Tanzania through the Western Iowa Synod Well Project. One well can affect the lives of as many as 23,000 people from surrounding communities. A well greatly improves the overall health of people (especially children) who routinely suffer and die from water-borne diseases such as dysentery. Additionally, women who often spend most of their day searching for water will have more time for education or employment.

 

One well costs approximately $2,500 USD. Funds are collected in varying amounts.

The Southern Diocese decides on the well locations. Locally trained well-drilling
crews perform the work. Local water committees are formed to collect and manage
small user fees which contribute to ongoing security and maintenance of the wells.
Sanitation and hygiene classes are offered to teach proper techniques for clean
collection, storage, and use of the water.

 

Newer, more efficient equipment was purchased in 2009 at a 50% discount! It was then outfitted and mounted to a trailer. A six-ton prior military truck has also been purchased to accompany the well-drilling rig -- all to be shipped to Tanzania in early 2010. The WIS Well Team will soon thereafter travel to Tanzania to train the Tanzanian well-drilling team on its operations and maintenance as well as to provide oversight to the overall project. Once all is in place, it is hoped that a new well will be drilled every other week or so rather than every other month, greatly expanding efforts to provide clean water, improve health, and improve economic conditions!! With such increased capacity, we are in increasing need of regular support for well drilling. Your support is indispensable! Please continue to keep this project in your prayers as we work to save lives through the provision of clean, life-giving water -- perhaps a reminder of the same life-giving water in our baptism!

 

Medical Supply: 

A first-ever sea container of medical supplies was shipped to two medical facilities in our companion synod, the ELCT-Southern Diocese in 2006. These medical supplies and the funds for shipping were primarily contributed by the congregations of the Western Iowa Synod with generous additions from Global Health Ministries. The supplies were met in Tanzania by a synod visitor group who participated in the opening/blessing ceremonies of the sea container -- a highlight of their trip! The supplies and equipment were quickly put to use to alleviate health concerns and save lives.

 

Two from the visitor group, Carlene Embree, an RN, and Dr. Timothy Peterson, MD, focused their time and attention on completing a comprehensive health assessment of the Southern Diocese medical facilities for use in future strategizing.

 

A CD-4 count machine and a biochemical analyzer, along with supportive computer equipment, have been obtained through the Clinton Foundation for use in the diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS and for the procurement of antiretroviral drugs at the Ilembula Lutheran Hospital.

 

Emanuel Lutheran Church of Dayton provided for the power surge protection of Ilembula Lutheran Hospital, greatly securing the protection and ongoing use of the important equipment they use.

Zion Lutheran of Gowrie and Emanuel Lutheran of Dayton, along with others, have taken the lead in supplying needed
industrial laundry equipment to the hospital.

 

Many Sunday School groups have contributed toward the supply of microscopes to the hospital and various dispensaries of the diocese.

 

Hospice kits, supplied by both the WIS and GHM, will make their way to Ilembula Lutheran Hospital through PEPFAR activities. Learn more about the kits.

 

On another medical note, Jason Mtokoma, Medical Officer at Kidugala Medical Center (a diocesan clinic) has recently returned to medical school to become a full doctor. He will return to Kidugala upon completion of this degree. Once a full doctor is in place there, the medical center can move toward becoming a hospital, a much-needed service for the area. Medical school expenses are high. Global Health Ministries (GHM) has agreed to make Mr. Mtokoma's school expenses an organizational fund that anyone can contribute to, through GHM. As such, contributions can be made through this GHM fund (www.ghm.org; 763-586-9590) or through the Western Iowa Synod with Jason Mtokoma in the memo. Approximately $3000/year in support is needed for Jason Mtokoma.

 

Igumbilo Lutheran Girls' Secondary School: 
 

The school opened in January 2006 with approximately 80 students. Currently, enrollment is at 350 students, with plans to add a class of 80 students each year until a total capacity of 480 students is reached. In 2005, the Western Iowa Synod (and women's groups in particular) contributed sufficient funds to cover the initial $25,000 purchase of the compound that consists of classrooms, dormitories, dining hall, and administration. The Southern Diocese renovated and developed this facility into a working school.

Whereas
primary school if free and compulsory in Tanzania, one must pay tuition to attend secondary school. In that it is difficult for families to pay the tuition, not all are afforded this opportunity. In addition, girls are not as readily educated as their male counterparts due to cultural biases. The Southern Diocese recognizes the importance of educating females who are most likely to share their educational knowledge to their families and communities, helping to educate and develop the nation as a whole.

 

Tuition and development costs are approximately $500/student/year. General ongoing synod funds are sent to the Southern Diocese at the rate of $2,000/month to be used for tuition scholarships (90%) and school development (10%). The scholarships are provided primarily to those of greatest financial need -- orphans with no one to provide for their secondary education, or to girls of the local Masai community who are routinely married off at young ages to bear children and tend cattle. The Southern Diocese funds the remaining scholarships, development and operations of the school.

 

Read a thank-you letter (page 1; page 2) from a student at the Igumbilo school!
 

 

Anyone wanting to financially contribute generally to the Companion Synod Program or to a partner project is asked to make their check payable to the Western Iowa Synod with the designation in the memo and mail it to: Western Iowa Synod, PO Box 577, Storm Lake, IA  50588-0577. Asante sana (Thanks you very much)!

Special Visitors from the ELCT-Southern Diocese

 

The following visitors were in the Western Iowa Synod from approximately August 24-September 15, 2009. Their primary goal was to present at the Center for Agricultural Development Partnership Event whereby $250,000 was pledged toward the project!  They also took the opportunity to learn much about agriculture in the USA, seeking transferable components to Tanzanian agriculture, and connected with our synod constituents wherever possible. Their biographies are as follows:

 

Rev. Dr. Lechion Kimilike

 

  The Rev. Dr. Kimilike holds a Dr. of Philosophy Degree in Theology on Old Testament

  Wisdom Literature from the University of South Africa. He has additionally attained a

  Master of Philosophy Degree in Theology on Old Testament Wisdom Literature from

  the School of Mission and Theology in Norway and a Bachelor of Divinity Degree from

  Makumira University College of Tumaini University in Tanzania.

 

  The Rev. Dr. Kimilike is currently serving as a pastor of the Southern Diocese of the

  Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and as Provost-designate of the proposed

  ELCT-Southern Diocese Njombe University College of Tumaini University. He has served

  as senior lecturer of the Old Testament at the Makumira University College of Tumaini

 University where he has also served as a researcher in a number of areas.

 

Rev. Dr. Kimilike has published numerous articles and books, the latest of which is Poverty in the Book of Proverbs:  An African Transformational Hermeneutics of the Proverbs on Poverty, New York:  Peter Lang (2008).

 

Elisha Mkomole

 

Elisha Mkomole holds a Master of Arts Degree in Organization, Planning and Management

from the University of Reading in England and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Management and Policy in the International Context from the University of Birmingham in England. Additionally, he holds a diploma in Education and Special Training from the Mpwapwa Teacher’s Training College in Dodoma, Tanzania.

 

Elisha Mkomole is currently serving as the Assistant to the General Secretary of the ELCT Southern Diocese. He has also served as the Principal to the Mafinga Vocational Training Center and Rector and Headmaster of Kidugala Lutheran Seminary — both of the ELCT Southern Diocese — as well as other teacher and tutoring positions in Tanzania.

 

Sabina Winkler

 

   Mrs. Sabine Winkler hails from the Bavarian Mission Church in Germany and is currently serving

   as Treasurer of the Southern Diocese under a companion partnership agreement between those

   two church bodies. Mrs. Winkler has extensive training and experience in both agrarian

   engineering and economic public management.

 

   As the prospect of the Center for Agricultural Development (CAD) has been evolving between the
   Western Iowa Synod and The Southern Diocese, Mrs. Winkler became quite interested in the
   project and all that it implies for Tanzanian smallholder farmers. This interest has led to Mrs. Winkler emerging as the first CAD Coordinator and the Bavarian Mission Church's consideration to fund her in this role. In addition to her technical expertise, her knowledge of the local language, culture, and key players make her an ideal candidate for this position — what a blessing to the project!

 

 

Companion Congregation Program: 

Companion congregations now number 26!  Any congregation interested in being matched with a Southern Diocese congregation should initiate the process through the synod office. This program offers a wonderful opportunity to have a deeper, more personal relationship with the people of Tanzania. The focus is on communication that enhances understanding of each other's ministries and cultures, shared prayer for each other, as well as shared faith journeys as you walk together Hatua Kwa Hatua/Step By Step. If you choose, you may also enter into a project of support. For more information go to companion congregation information. To see an official companion congregation covenant that you would sign upon agreeing to join such a special relationship, go to Companion Congregation Covenant.

Anyone wanting more information on the Companion Synod Program is asked to contact Cindy Wells, Synod Global Programs Coordinator, at wiscw@wisynod.org or 712.732.4968, ext. 441.