March Appeal
We Are The Missionaries Of Africa
Dear Friends,
Most of us know how important water is to our existence. We need it for cooking, washing, drinking, bathing, growing our crops, feeding livestock . . . the list goes on. Since our bodies are nearly 60 percent liquid -- without water, we would literally shrivel up and die. And while more than two-thirds of the earth is covered with water, there are still some places where there isn’t enough to sustain human life. Igunga is one of them.
Igunga is a small town in western central Tanzania in East Africa. The Missionaries of Africa have a long history of ministering to the people of Tanzania -- going back more than 100 years. As the people of Tanzania continue struggle to provide for themselves and their families, many have come a long way from the abject poverty that overwhelmed them. Others, though, are still desperately poor.
Recently I received a letter from Fr. Rolf Weber -- one of our missionaries who is working in Tanzania and has seen the needs of the people of Igunga first-hand.
“Tanzania -- like so many other East African countries -- has been hit hard by diseases such as AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria,”Fr. Rolf explains. “As a result of the death of so many adults, nearly half of the population now consists of children under the age of 14."
"Many of these children have no one to care for them -- not even provide them with a place to go to school.”
“In response to the need for education for these children, the people of Igunga -- supported by the local Catholic bishop and clergy -- has begun constructing a new school for girls. Since much of African culture is male dominated, a separate school is essential for educating young girls and providing them with the skills they need to get jobs and eventually support themselves.”
“As I write this letter to you,”Fr. Rolf continues, “the school buildings are nearly complete. But there is still the issue of a water supply. The school needs a lot of water especially during the dry season (from the end of May until the end of November). During the dry season we will have to rely on water that is collected and stored during the rainy season.”
“Each building has a system of gutters and pipes which will help collect the rain when it falls,” he explains. “The water will then travel to storage tanks which will hold the water until it is used. The gutters and pipes have already been installed, but we do not have enough money to purchase the storage tanks which are essential to the water storage system.”
“Is there some way you can help us buy the tanks we need?”
In his letter, Fr. Rolf goes on to explain that in order to have enough water to provide for the needs of the school -- at least 12 water storage tanks must be purchased. Each tank will then need to be transported to Igunga, installed and made operational. Quite a task!
My friend, I am hoping we can raise at least $37,000 to provide the new girls’ school in Igunga, Tanzania, with the water storage tanks they urgently need -- as well as help with water projects in some of our other missions throughout Africa. Water is so precious . . . and it is so vital to the lives and work of everyone -- especially those in the remote missions of East Africa.
Is there some amount you can send to help the school in Igunga have the water supply they need?
I am so grateful for all you have done to support not only our missionaries but the poor as well. Without your generous giving, our work might have ceased a long time ago. Now, I am hoping we can count on you once again to be a lifeline of hope for those in need. God bless you for your kindness!
Your Missionary Friend,
Denis P. Pringle
Director of Development
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