Joint Effort Strengthens Unity

The Diocese was recently very proud to play an active role in hosting the Provincial Mothers' Union Conference, which was held at the new Diocesan Conference and Training Hall named 'UMOJA' (Umoja is a Kiswahili word meaning 'UNITY').

The Conference, which took place between 27 September and 1 October 2006, was achieved as a result of prodigious joint efforts on the part of the gifted and talented Diocesan personnel. Hosting such a big event was a heavy responsibility. A total of 150 members of the MU attended the conference and they came from twenty Dioceses - from all over mainland Tanzania to the Island of Zanzibar.

The Conference started with a procession from Mkomaindo Parish Church, where the Anglican Church started, and then made its way slowly up to the lower slopes of Mtandi Hill to the Diocesan Cathedral, where the Rt Reverend Patrick Mwachiko led a special opening ceremonial service. The Guest of Honour at the official opening ceremony was the Regional Commissioner for Mtwara region, and the Archbishop, the Rt Reverend Bishop Donald Mtetemela closed the Conference on 30 November 2006.

During the opening ceremony the Regional Commissioner urged the Mothers' Union members in their role as women to take up the development opportunities given to them by the Government and other national and international NGOs for improving their social lives.

He said, "It is time for you women to take opportunities that the Government and other NGOs develop to enable women, particularly, through entrepreneurship programmes so that you can have access to credits that will help you to fight poverty. And the Government believes that all women are aware that the nation is in a crisis, due especially to HIV/AIDS, which is now putting the whole African continent into a disastrous situation whereby it is sinking further into extreme poverty. This is a challenge, and all of you wherever you are, should come up with strategic plans that will make strong changes to our nation in fighting against this incurable disease, which is the major inhibiting factor in our development. I believe this conference will transform you all to become change agents who will rescue the situation and build our world to become one sustainable community."

During the closing ceremony Archbishop Mtetemela encouraged all members of the Mothers' Union to bring about development change for the whole nation, as women have different talents and there are many things that they can do to bring positive impacts. Lastly, the Archbishop emphasized the importance of unity among the Mothers' Union members and also the need to work with various NGOs aimed at bringing harmony in the country through development activities. The Conference would provide them with an opportunity of sharing various issues and being able to gain experience and skills. Team work spirit was the main thrust of the conference to ensure effective partnership of M.U. in various dioceses.

I express my gratitude to the Solar Circle Organization (USA) for their concern and kindness in thinking of the women of Masasi Diocese, in particular, for their extensive support of 200 sun oven boxes released in 2006.

It is true that many women in the Diocese are living in sun-rich but fuel-scarce villages. This development will help them to know and use sun-cook boxes to protect their environments and importantly to reduce the burden of walking long distances in search of fuel woods. Again, it has been a pleasure for me as the MU worker to coordinate the Solar Oven Project as it has given me wonderful opportunities to acquire technical skills in the use of sun ovens and to attend study tours in other countries. Between 12 and 16 July 2006 I attended an International Solar Cooker and Food Processing Conference with Br Joanes Mango (Sun Oven Technician at Ndanda Abbey), which was held at Granada in Spain. The conference was very fruitful as it provided me with an exciting opportunity to share my experience with other community members in Spain and get more experience from their side in commercialization, dissemination of information, and technical renovation and design. It helped me to explore new collaboration with other solar cooking experts and I attended forums for sharing insights and suggestions for creating a sustainable world where solar cookers are a universal, integrated tool for reducing environment degradation, protecting families and communities from water-borne diseases and smoke-related diseases as well as reducing energy costs. In addition to that, in the first two weeks of November I had another opportunity to attend IT training in London. This was supported by the office of Tim Yeo, MP.

I was also able to attend the Prime Minister's Question Time in the House of Commons, and was able to visit Mary Sumner House. All this has taught me that joint effort always bears positive fruits and strengthens UNITY.

Let's collaborate for more success and unity!

Joyce Liundi, MU Secretary