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

Support Our Companion Diocese This Christmas

December 13, 2023
 

Dear Friends,
 
During the season of Advent, we proclaim an overarching message of hope, proclaiming with the prophet Isaiah that the light of God’s love shines in the midst of all that is part of our human condition:
 
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, 
as people exult when dividing plunder. (Isaiah 9:2-3)


 
At Christmas, we celebrate this light by honoring the Incarnation of the God’s word in the birth of Jesus Christ. In this holy birth, we, together with all of creation, are born anew. Nothing will ever be the same again. It is natural that as we celebrate with joy and gratitude, we also remember those with whom we share the bond of faith and respond with a recognition of the call we all have to tell this good news of Christ with the world.
 
Our Companion Diocese of Newala is building a school for the pre- and primary school students. In the past few years, student enrollment has increased dramatically and the need for a new school is great. The CCM Sisters (Chama Cha Mariamu/Society of Holy St. Mary), the religious community of women that runs this school, have been sourcing good quality and fairly priced materials from the bigger cities to aid with construction and keep costs as low as possible. Fr. Oswald Bwechwa, assistant rector of Christ Church, Whitefish Bay and a companion diocese committee member, reports that currently electrical work is being completed and soon the plumbers will begin with their part of the project. The sisters have secured funding for both electric work and plumbing. The next major step in the construction process will be securing floor tiling in order to complete the school floors. The sisters estimate that they will need $15,000 for the costs of the tiles, cement, shipping, and other expenses.


 
During this holy season, we are asking parishes and members of the Diocese of Milwaukee to contribute toward this important school flooring project. Together we can support the work in our companion diocese by helping them provide clean, safe, and inviting schools to educate their children. Our goal is to completely sponsor the flooring part of the construction project. This means we are aiming to raise $15,000. Will you help with this important project?
 
To help, you may mail a check to the diocesan office with “Newala” written on the memo line to 804 E Juneau Ave, Milwaukee WI 53202. To offer a gift of stock or to give electronically, please contact Caroline Senn, CFO, at  .
 
Thank you and God bless you during this holy season and in the new year!
 

In Christ,

The Standing Committee and Diocesan Staff of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee

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