News & Messages

News from Our Companion Diocese of Newala: February 2024

We often share news from Newala that we get from Sr. Debora. We thought it'd be nice to tell you a little more about her and her ministry.

Sr. Debora, CMM (Chama cha Mariamu Mtakatifu/Society of Holy Mary) went to secondary school from 1992 until 1995. She then went to Ndanda School of Nursing. Ndanda is a Benedictine enclave of various schools and workshops and a parish in the Masasi/Newala district. For eight years she was in the congregation and learned of the religious life. Besides being an Anglican sister, she is a nurse and midwife. For three days she works at the Newala District Hospital and for two days she is involved in the ultrasound clinic there.


 
In January of 2019, Sr. Debora completed the ultrasound technicians course at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center in Moshi, Tanzania. The Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee paid for this course and the related expenses. Also funded by the diocese, this January Sr. Debora attended a three-day ultrasound workshop with a two-day science conference in Arusha. That bus trip was 8 hours and 368 miles to Dar es Salaam and another 11 hours and 390 miles to Arusha.
 
Thoughts from Sr. Debora (a Kiswahili speaker, so there is some editing of her message for clarity):
 
"Really I am very happy with this short training [and] it's very useful. I learned many things that I've previously never done. It's very difficult but I hope with more scan experience, it will become easier. Asante Sana. Our training already finished, and tomorrow and Friday we will continue with the conference. I am still in Dar es Salaam buying plumbing equipment. Praise to God for your love and care looking after us. [I purchased] plumbing and all things I managed to buy here are very [good] quality and durable. And today I will go to a transportation company for payment of all the cargo to Newala .”
 
Along with this, Sr. Debora is in charge of the construction of the aforementioned St. Mary’s Newala Pre and Primary School. [See previous newsletter articles here.] The window glass and frames are done and plumbing is on the way, so now the electrical and tiling projects remain. It has come a long way, but there is more to be done.
 
To support projects in our Companion Diocese of Newala, you can send checks to the diocese with “Newala” in the notation line:
 
Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee
804 E Juneau Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
Neil Radtke
The Rev. Oswald Bwechwa
Companion Diocese Committee Members

News from Our Companion Diocese of Newala: November 2023

She has done it again! Sister Debora has taken the 368-mile, 8.5-hour long bus trip to Dar es Salaam in quest of better materials and lower prices! This time she was after paints and window glass.
 

 
From Sr Debora: ”First of all, we need to say thank you so much for funds which allow us to buy all the painting materials and all materials for glass windows. Now yesterday I came back from Dar es Salaam from purchasing all those things. And a good thing is that all arrived safely, especially the glass. All glass window materials arrived safely at Newala. Again, all the Sisters together with the school children, they say thank you so much. All are happy when visiting the new school. Very happy children.”
 

 
There is much more to be done before the classrooms can be fully used, including flooring, electrical needs, furniture, etc. To support projects in our Companion Diocese of Newala, you can send checks to the diocese with “Newala ” in the notation line.
 
The Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee
804 East Juneau Ave
Milwaukee WI 53202
 
Neil Radtke
The Rev. Oswald Bwechwa
Companion Diocese Committee Members

News from Our Companion Diocese of Newala: April 2023

Our Companion Diocese of Newala is in the midst of a large building project for the school. In early April, the government visited the school. This school was identified as one of the best projects in the Newala area, and the foundation stone was laid by the head of the local government. You will see his name in one of the photos. Many dignitaries came and praised the work done by the nuns.
 
From Sr. Debora, CMM:
 
Today all the sisters are happy with the completion of all the classroom roofs, four small offices, and eight toilets for the children. They are covered with iron sheets that are strong and will be positive for us. Thank you so much.
 

So now we have eleven classes, four small offices for teachers, three ground tanks, and eight toilets. The ground tank preparation will continue.
 
But all in all, when all people visit the site, they are filled with wonder at this school construction. It's very nice now with the zinc-plated corrugated steel finishing for all roofs, and this is because of your close support!
 
We are already planting the different trees, 116 in total, that will provide fruit and shade. And a good thing now is it is rain time, so they do not need irrigation.
 

Now we have already prepared some underground tanks for harvesting water. With Makonde clean water, we get water every day now. [Now some water is piped down to them from the Makonde Plateau]. That is very good for us. (edited)
 
There is much to be done to complete the project, including plastering, windows, and furniture.
 
To support projects in our Companion Diocese of Newala, please send checks to:
 
Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee
804 East Juneau
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
Please put Newala Projects in the notation line.
 
Neil Radtke
Rev Oswald Bwechwa
Companion Diocese Committee Members