Hatua Kwa Hatua

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Information and Resources:

Letter from Bishop Lukilo - January, 2008

Companion Synod Covenant

Companion Congregation Covenant & 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.

Resident Coordinator:  Rev. Gabriel Nduye

We are blessed to have a very talented Tanzanian -- 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. His name is Pastor Gabriel Nduye. His assistance is immeasurable as he manages project funds, enhances overall communications, attends to various project details, etc. Pastor Gabriel is the glue and the shoes that allows our relationship to keep moving forward Hatua Kwa Hatua!

Center for Agricultural Development (CAD):

The overarching goal of the Center for Agricultural Development is to increase the productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers, resulting in enhanced overall livelihood and human dignity. In that most of both the Western Iowa Synod and the Southern Diocese are comprised of agriculturalists, we believe we have a special opportunity before us to connect, share, and assist in sustainable agricultural development.

During the summer of 2008, a CAD Team (comprised of Bishop Last, Cindy Wells, WIS Companion Synod Coordinator, Dr. Les & Iris Hemmingson, WIS CAD Committee members, and Dr. Larry Tranel and David Andrews, ISU Extension Specialists) traveled to Tanzania to research, learn, and devise a workable proposal from which to begin.

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 has recently been purchased at a 50% discount! Once outfitted and mounted to

a trailer it will be shipped to Tanzania.

A lorry truck to haul the equipment and

Tanzanian well-drilling team is being

Medical Supply: 

A first-ever sea container of medical supplies was shipped to two medical facilities in our companion synod, the ELCT-Southern Diocese. 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 has been obtained through the Clinton Foundation for use in the diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS and for the procurement of antiretroviral drugs. 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.

Plans are underway, in collaboration with Global Health Ministries, to supply greatly needed hospice kits to Tanzania. Learn more about the kits and how you can help!

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 facility 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.

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. The Western Iowa Synod (and women's groups in particular) has 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 likely to pass along their educational knowledge to their children and families, 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 ot provide for their secondary education, or to girls of the local Masai communty who are routinely married off at young ages to bear children and tend cattle. The Southern Diocese funds the remaining scholarship, development and operations of the school.

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

Special Visitors from the ELCT-Southern Diocese

The following visitors will be in the Western Iowa Synod from approximately August 24-September 15. Their primary goal will be to present at the Center for Agricultural Development Partnership Event (noted above in the CAD Partner Project section) slated for the evening of Aug. 30, at the Clay County Regional Events Center in Spencer, IA. They will also take the opportunity to learn much about agriculture in the USA and look for opportunities to connect with our synod constituents (be looking for fuller itinerary information in the future). Their biographies are as follows:

Rev. Dr. Lechion Kimilike

  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.

  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.  Has served

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

  University where he has also served 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 other teacher and tutoring positions in Tanzania.

We are blessed to have these individuals in our midst and hope you will find opportunity to meet, welcome, and get to know them during their special time with us this summer!

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

Bulletin Insert                                                Companion Synod Covenant

Prayers