by Dionel Rodriguez | Mar 5, 2025
Helping Street Children in Tanzania
Bro. Loren W. Beaudry, M.M.
Upendo Daima means unconditional love in Swahili.
It is also the name of a program in Tanzania that helps children living in the streets to give them a second chance. This non-profit was founded by Sister Chimwemwe of the Missionary Sisters of St. Mary of Africa back in 1995 and it falls under the Archdiocese of Mwanza City in Northern Tanzania.
Upendo Daima’s main goal is to help vulnerable and homeless children living in the streets of Mwanza to have their basic needs met and to be reunified with their families. It has two parts and the first is to help children in Marimbe, Mwanza who cannot return to their families with shelter, food, clothing, medicine, schooling and counseling. The second part of the program is for children living on the streets who are invited to a rescue center in Pasiansi, Mwanza with a goal of returning those children to their families in about three months.
Maryknoll provides support to Upendo Diama for educational materials and counseling and your gift can help these vulnerable street children have a second chance at life.
“The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.”
Psalm 116:5
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
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
by Maryknoll Society | Mar 30, 2023
Ongoing Education for African Clergy & Religious
The Africa Region will provide tuition assistance to Africa clergy and male and female religious at institutes of higher education or specialized training, as well as ongoing support for one seminary of an African missionary order. The studies will usually take place at colleges and universities that are located in Africa. It will be of great benefit to the Church in Africa to assist its future leaders to receive some advanced education or specialized training.
Your generosity will be of great benefit to the Church in Africa to assist its future leaders to receive advanced education.
“And what you heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will have the ability to teach others as well.”
2 Timothy 2:2
by Maryknoll Society | Mar 30, 2023
Bro. Beaudry ministers to people suffering from mental illness. These are people who are outcast in society, and many do not have a family. Bro. Loren’s aim is to be with these people and show them love and concern by spending time with each patient as well as gathering the community to play bingo and sing songs together. These people also need a better diet so they are given fruits, vegetables and rice along with an educational program on healthy living. This project also provides for outings so they will have a chance to enjoy life outside the camp.
Pastoral Ministry also includes the Youth at Mabatini parish. This will help sponsor youth with workshops, seminars and sports events and ministering to Senior Citizens in Mabatini with educational seminars, outings and weekly bingo games.
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”
Romans 8:14
by Dionel Rodriguez | Feb 22, 2023
Single Mothers & Girls Housing Project
This project will help with housing for single mothers and abandoned adolescent women at the St. Clare Health Facility, Molo, Kenya, providing shelter for these impoverished women. Funding will support the construction of a small house with two large rooms which will serve as dormitories, a kitchen, and lavatory.
“She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy.”
Proverbs 31:20
