African Sisters of St Mary (CMM)
Support Group
Autumn 2021
18/01/2022
Autumn News
75th Anniversary
On 8th September, the annual Patronal Day of the Community, CMM had planned a big celebration for their 75th anniversary. Sadly, the festivities had to be postponed because of the increasing prevalence of Covid 19 in Tanzania. Nevertheless, on that special day, although it was hard for them that no friends and relatives were able to be there, four Sisters made their life vows, five Novices made their first vows and three Postulants were clothed as Novices. This certainly shows a real sign of life in the Community.
Day Care Centre, Masasi
Best laid plans… The Sisters’ original idea was to open a nursery school offering early years education and they got on with having a few classrooms built. However, the Government insisted on having more classrooms, offices and other equipment in place before it can open officially as a ‘Nursery School’. This is beyond the Sisters’ reach and is not what they had planned.
The good news is that they have been allowed to open what exists as a ‘day care centre’ and it was a big step forward when in February 2021 the centre opened its doors to the first intake of little ones.
Supply of Medication
To help CMM in their various Houses cope with the challenge of Covid, the Support Group sent funds to Action Medeor (a medical supply company) in the Spring. This is enabling the Sisters to meet some of their medical needs.
The Girls’ Hostel in Masasi
There are at present sixteen girls (aged 12–18 years) in the Hostel who attend Form I to IV at the local Secondary School, one hour’s walk away. They are a happy group, and in their spare time the Sisters teach them domestic skills. An employee of a local bank comes daily to collect milk and eggs, and also buys rabbits. The vegetable garden, kept by the Sisters with the help of the girls, supplies much of their requirements. For the girls who are orphans there is some additional financial support from a number of UK donors.
All five of the girls who left last year passed Form IV. Four went on to High School to carry on with their schooling; one joined the army.
Yours sincerely,
The Trustees
You can donate on-line or contact us directly with details on our website at: https://www.africansisters.org.uk/getinvolved