by Dionel Rodriguez | Mar 4, 2025
Mercy Montessori Dining and Social Hall
The Mercy Montessori School is a Catholic institution under the Archdiocese of Mwanza and the school welcomes children of all tribes and religions in the local community. It provides “head start” education to orphans, children impacted by HIV/AIDS or sickle-cell anemia, those affected by extreme poverty, oppressive situations or discrimination.
A safe environment such as the one offered by Mercy Montessori School is invaluable to the children the school helps and the goal is to help them learn self-confidence and self-empowerment to learn to love themselves, take initiative and become good leaders. The children are currently eating their meals in their classrooms, however, as graduation and other events and activities are held outside.
Your gift can help to build a dining hall for the children to give them an opportunity to eat in a space separate from the classroom and have a large indoor area for a variety of events including Mass during the rainy season.
“For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”
Matthew 24:27
by Dionel Rodriguez | Mar 4, 2025
Support the Education of Seminarians
The Catholic Diocese of Shinyanga was formed by Maryknoll in 1950 and Maryknollers have cultivated it with care for more than 70 years. Today the seeds that were planted so long ago continue to blossom with the better part of 100 seminarians in a recent year.
Given the region’s dependence on agriculture and the keeping of animals, however, local contributions to support the Church and the studies of the seminarians are quite low. This dynamic makes Maryknoll’s support even more important to keep the virtuous cycle going for another 70 years.
Your gift can help continue Maryknoll’s mission to raise up the Diocese of Shinyanga.
“Rise up and shine, for your light has come. The shining-greatness of the Lord has risen upon you.”
Isaiah 60:1-2
by Dionel Rodriguez | Mar 4, 2025
Scholarships for Orphanage Students
It is hard to overestimate the importance of good parenting, but this is precious gift is one that most orphans have little experience with. One part of that gift is of the material nature including money for education to help younger people become independent adults who flourish and make contributions to society.
Maryknoll’s goal with this Apostolic Project is to support Vocational Training students and University Students who were orphans. The program helps with their fees and room and board and takes pressure off the students and family that may have been trying to help them.
Your gift can help these young people become self-supporting adults who will be able to share their gifts and help others.
“In you the orphan finds mercy.”
Hosea 14:3
by Dionel Rodriguez | Feb 14, 2024
Outpatient Clinical Service
EDARP (Eastern Deanery) plans to open an inexpensive Outpatient Clinical Service. One of their core targeted patient groups is their own patients taking anti-retroviral drugs (ARV). Long-term taking of ARV’s cause side effects. At present, the Deanery has 28,537 patients receiving ARV. Out of this number 4,139, or 14.5%, have developed other illnesses because of the toxicity of the ARV. The primary illnesses are diabetes and hypertension. The number of people with these illnesses continues to increase. The clinic will also expand the HIV Positive women screening for cervical cancer. Besides caring for their own HIV patients, this clinic will offer these services to the broader community which are poor or very low income. By providing quality and affordable outpatient services, the clinic reflects the Eastern Deanery’s commitment to providing holistic and accessible healthcare solutions, by extending their reach, and continually evolving to meet the diverse needs of the communities they serve.
“And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
– Matthew 25:40
by Dionel Rodriguez | Feb 14, 2024
Swahili Literature, Theological and Secular
Although number of Swahili speakers varies widely (between 60 million and 150 million), its importance as the national language of Tanzania, and one of the two official languages of Kenya, would be difficult to overestimate. Nevertheless, the present state of Swahili literature is stagnant, if not in actual decline. The majority of theological works are translations from English, despite the efforts of rather well known writers such as Fr. Titus Amigu. Fr. John Waldrep wants to assist writers in Tanzania who want to publish in Swahili. With your gift, there will be a wider selection of books available to the Swahili-speaking reading community on theological and spiritual subjects.
“He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. He stood up to read”
– Luke 4:16
by Dionel Rodriguez | Feb 14, 2024
Construction of Boys’ Dormitory for St. Joseph Secondary School, Gidel, Nuba Mountains
Gidel, Nuba Mountains, Africa
Fr. Dinh wants to provide a decent and safe accommodation for boys. Having a good dormitory will enhance their learning as they will be able to sleep well as security and space will be improved. In addition, teachers will be able to ensure class absences are minimized leading to a higher quality of education. For young people to take seriously their studies, the supervision of either parents of teachers is essential. Therefore, since their parents are far away, the construction of a school dormitory will enable teachers to follow them more closely. For young people to take seriously their studies, the supervision of either parents of teachers is essential. Therefore, since their parents are far away, the construction of a school dormitory will ensure children attend classes.
“Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.”
– 1 Timothy 4:12
by Dionel Rodriguez | Feb 14, 2024
Construction of Nursery and Primary School in Ikinu Village
Aside from it being unsafe to walk alone, the public school is not within walking distance for the children so the Sisters began the school with the plan to respond to the need of the poor and working class people that can’t afford to send their children to private school. The group of Collegine Sisters of the Holy Family in Ikinu, Kiambu, Nairobi – Kenya, are building a Nursery and Primary School in a poor village north of Nairobi. The original school was built in 2019 with the nursery and primary school. There are three classrooms that were built with timber and no longer large enough for about a hundred children. During the meals, they sit outside under trees, with no tables or chairs. During the rainy season, these children must gather inside the church building during the lunch time. The Sisters are requesting funding for construction of the six classrooms, two offices, two dining rooms, one kitchen, 250 tables and 500 chairs. Aside from it being unsafe to walk alone, the public school is not within walking distance for the children so the Sisters began the school with the plan to respond to the need of the poor and working class people that can’t afford to send their children to private school.
“but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
– Matthew 19:14
by Dionel Rodriguez | Feb 14, 2024
Ministry to the Elderly, the Infirm and Faith Formation
Fr. John’s project is two-fold. Ministry to the elderly and infirm by participation in outreach at Bugando Hospital or other Hospitals in Mwanza. He plans to provide pastoral accompaniment, as well as develop a pastoral outreach to individuals with special needs in the parish. And, most importantly, by giving regular and individualized attention to the elderly and infirm of the parish.
The second part of this project is mission formation. Fr. John will conduct intra-parish, inter-parish, and intra-diocese mission immersion exchanges/trips that attend to human and ecological concerns in Mabatini and in the vicinity of the parish, mission immersion exercises with parish youth and/or school-going youths and baptized adults in the parish, and finally, thematic retreats for specific parish groupings, for example, the youth, members of the Sacred Heart, men, women, and the charismatic group.
You gift will help to strengthen a sense of responsibility in responding to our baptismal call to serve God through service to neighbor.
“Even to your old age I am he, even when your hair is gray I will carry you; I have done this, and I will lift you up, I will carry you to safety.”
– Isaiah 46:4
by Dionel Rodriguez | Feb 14, 2024
There is increased need of involvement of the lay people in evangelization. Catechists have proved to be very useful and able to evangelize. However, there is need for them to acquire formal training on how to catechize effectively through formal training. With your support, Fr. Hung Dinh’s project will be a success after the catechists complete their training, and begin to teach and serve the people of God.
“Train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it.”
– Proverbs 22:6
by Dionel Rodriguez | Feb 14, 2024
Training of Catechists in Bukundi, Tanzania
There is increased need of involvement of the lay people in evangelization. Catechists have proved to be very useful and able to evangelize. However, there is need for them to acquire formal training on how to catechize effectively. Fr. Ed Schoellmann plans to provide the training necessary to provide a solid foundation of knowledge of the faith they teach. Your gift will enable the growth and response of the Catechist himself by the spirituality exhibited by the community he serves.
“One who is being instructed in the word should share all good things with his instructor.”
– Galatians 6:6
