Evangelical Church District of Leverkusen. Friendship Committee Leverkusen Lukajange

Transcription

1 Evangelical Church District of Leverkusen Friendship Committee Leverkusen Lukajange Annual Report 2008

2 Leverkusen Germany Europe Africa Tanzania Lukajange * * Imprint Friendship Committee Leverkusen Lukajange c/o Evangelical Church District of Leverkusen Otto-Grimm-Str. 9, Leverkusen Phone +49 (0) freundeskreis@kirche-leverkusen.de Translation: Claudia Weber 2

3 Foreword The partnership between the Evangelical Lutheran Church District of Leverkusen and the Evangelical Lutheran Lukajange Church District in Tanzania was established in Partnership visits and project work have deepened and strengthened the friendship between the people of the two continents during the past 23 years. Through these mutual activities, strangers have not only become friends but brothers and sisters in the spirit of Jesus Christ. For the Leverkusen Friendship Committee, the year 2008 meant a profound change. Due to health problems, Reverend Peter Becker, who had been chairman of the Leverkusen Friendship Committee for a long time, had to withdraw from the work in the executive committee in the end of With this step, a long and successful period of partnership ended which was inspired by Reverend Becker s personal and unique style, and many projects were developed, implemented and carried on in this time. Especially because of Reverend Becker s indefatigable engagement and his numerous contacts, the partnership work profited from many benefits over years. Only this financial help made it possible to put all the projects into practice and to send various multitudinous delegations to Tanzania. All partnership friends both from Leverkusen and Lukajange are deeply grateful for Reverend Becker s engagement and everything he had achieved successfully in the name of our partnership. In November 2007, Reverend Anne Becker (Monheim), Reverend Manfred Jetter (Opladen) and Mr Marcus Bernhardt (Head of Department for Adult Education of Leverkusen Church District) have become the new members of the executive committee of Leverkusen Friendship Committee. This report is supposed to account for the activities of the Leverkusen Friendship Committee and the use of the benefits in One basic element of our partnership are mutual visits. In July and August 2008, three delegates from Leverkusen visited Lukajange Church District and joined the Partnership Consultation in Karagwe Diocese which brought together more than 40 members from different partnership groups. The results of the consultation confirmed the basic principles of our partnership work and defined the guidelines for the next five years. In terms of project work, the members of the consultation agreed upon a closer connection between the different partnership groups from Germany and Tanzania, and this declaration is going to achieve a positive development in Karagwe. Leverkusen and Lukajange owe all friends and contributors a great debt of gratitude. The year 2008 could report the highest amount of benefits over the last couple of years. Evidently, the financial means for project work in Tanzania also reached a peak. The scholarship/sponsorship programme for Tegemeo was especially successful. 43 children from very poor families were happy to get a scholarship from private persons and groups from Leverkusen Church District which make school attendance in Tegemeo possible. The academic development of the children and the development of the school as institution are exceedingly pleasant. We are deeply indebted to our friends and contributors, to private persons, groups, parishes, schools, companies and institutions. Partnership work in its current form would be unimaginable without them. The different projects of the last couple of years have caused a significant improvement of life circumstances in the Lukajange District. Regular visits have improved the understanding for each other and gave important impulses to reflect one s own life. However, we cannot rest on our achievements. Many projects are continuing in 2009, and new projects will correspond to current problems and developments in the Lukajange District. Moreover, a delegation of seven members is visiting our partners in Lukajange in July and August Both is going require extensive financial means in the coming year. Hence, we still depend on your engagement and ask for your support. Anne Becker Manfred Jetter Marcus Bernhardt 3

4 Partnership between Leverkusen and Lukajange 6300 km separate the Evangelical Lutheran Lukajange District in Tanzania from the Evangelical Church District of Leverkusen. Life circumstances of both partners could not be more distinct. Still, both Church Districts have established a strong relationship since Through this partnership, global relations and the worldwide church of Jesus Christ are becoming more concrete. Rather than dealing with statistics we are looking into faces since our partnership is built on two essential values: Encounter and Solidarity. Face to face encounter, spiritual exchange between Christians and intercultural learning are therefore the basic principles of our partnership. This does also include solidarity and equity among ourselves. So, the Evangelical Church District of Leverkusen supports multiple projects of its partners in Lukajange. Leverkusen Friendship Committee The Friendship Committee is an open and ecumenical oriented group of people. Meeting regularly, we discuss partnership issues of any kind. If you are interested in participating, do not hesitate to join us! The next dates and a location plan can be found on How can I help? Our Partnership work, its manifold projects included, is mainly financed by donations. Therefore, Leverkusen Friendship Committee is kindly requesting your support. You can support various projects with a one-time donation; or you engage in our scholarship project where you will sponsor a student for a seven-year period with a contribution of EUR 30,- per month. Information about our current project work can be found on our homepage Donation Account Ev. Kirchenkreis Leverkusen Account Number Bank Code (KD-Bank Duisburg) Designated use: Tanzania Partnership Please leave your address if you would like to receive a written donation confirmation. Visit in Womengroup Market day in Omorushaka 4

5 The Partner District in Lukajange / Tanzania Lukajange is located in the Northwest of Tanzania, close to Lake Victoria and the border to Uganda and Rwanda. It is a rural landscape where more than 96% inhabitants earn their living from agriculture, especially from crop growing. In the 1930s, European missionaries have started working in this region. Therefore, Lukajange Church District is the central district in the Karagwe Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT), the latter being established in 1979 by separating from the Northwest Diocese. The bishop s headquarter is located in Lukajange, as well as all departments of the diocese. Lukajange District consists of the following six Parishes: Lukajange, Kayanga, Nyakahanga, Nyabwegira, Nyakahanga Hospital and Rukole. Various institutions of the Karagwe Diocese are located in the Lukajange District: In terms of medical care, the Nyakahanga Hospital plays the central role in the entire region. In Lukajange, the Tegemeo English Medium Primary School was established in 1995 and has since guaranteed excellent school education. It is based on a missionary school that had been founded in the 1940s. In the Lukajange Orphan Vocational Training Centre (LOVTC), orphans have access to vocational education in tailoring and carpentry. The Karagwe Hotel in Kayanga offers good and reasonable priced accommodation for travellers. At the same time, it functions as a meeting place for ecumenical encounter. Up-to-date information about the Karagwe Diocese and the Lukajange Church District can be found in the internet Reverend Phares Kakulima is not only Assistant to the Bishop but also District Pastor. Therefore, he is responsible for supervision and management of Lukajange Church District. In December 2008 he was re-elected at the General Synodal Assembly for another four-year period. Phares Kakulima In addition five other pastors are working in the Parishes of the Lukajange District: Reverend George Chobya (Lukajange Parish), Reverend Jeremiah Rugimbana (Nyabwegira Parish; Head Teacher of the Tegemeo Primary School), Reverend Anicet Maganya (Kayanga Parish), Reverend Oscar Samwel (Nyakahanga Hospital Parish), Reverend Jesse Mutelani (Nyakahanga Parish) and Reverend Eliab Rwenda (Rukole Parish). Sunday Service in Lukajange Nyakahanga Hospital Landscape at Nyabwegira 5

6 Projects in 2008 Since the beginning of our partnership in 1985 project work has played one of the essential roles in the cooperation between Leverkusen and Lukajange. However, the term project has multiple meanings: Whereas organising bricks for a building project can be one focus, another one can be more human oriented, e.g. in the field of education. On the one hand, projects can provide financial first aid; on the other one, they can ensure the maintenance of structures in the long term. Project support can either mean giving advice and using networks, or the provision of funds in a lower or higher extent. How can a project be implemented? Our partners in Lukajange know what the actual situation in their region is like. They know about the everyday challenges. That is why they can assess certain developments and can recommend appropriate solutions. Consequently, project suggestions are solely made by our partners from Lukajange. Leverkusen Friendship Committee Leverkusen deliberates on these suggestions, asks questions, tries to give good advice and attempts to organise the necessary means which are needed for the process of implementation. Written records and pictures, which the German partners receive via , document the successful implementation of the project. Regular project trips help evaluating the work that has been done so far, and prospective projects can be identified. This process guarantees the appropriate use of the financial means and are a confirmation for the donators. Projects in 2008 In 2008, different projects were realised jointly: 1 st ) Scholarships/Sponsorships for Tegemeo This project is presented on the opposite page in detail. It is going to be continued. 2 nd ) Building/Renovation of the pastors houses 3 rd ) Training of Kindergarten Teachers Ten men and women got scholarships for the Morogoro Junior Seminar for a kindergarten teacher training. This project is completed. 4 th ) Block Grant The Karagwe Diocese receives a block grant from different German partners in order to guarantee the staff s salary payment. This project is going to be continued. 5 th ) Teachers salaries of the LOVTC The Lukajange Orphan Vocational Training Centre (LOVTC) educates young people in tailoring and carpentry. Orphans and half-orphans are the target group. Leverkusen Friendship Committee supports this school by paying the teachers salaries. This project is going to be continued. 6 th ) Grant for pastors training In cooperation with other German partners we facilitate the study of theology. This project is going to be continued. In total, the project costs of 2008 amounted to Euro On page 11 a diagram shows the use of the financial means in detail. The development since 2003 In comparison to the past years, the highest amount of financial means was spent on project work in Only in 2004 an equal sum of more than Euro was provided for project work. Since 2003, a total sum of Euro has been used for several projects in Lukajange. An increasing part of all financial means is spent on scholarships/sponsorships for Tegemeo. In 2008, 35,2% of all financial projects means derived from the scholarship programme. The expansion of this programme will not only increase the amount of total financial project means. Also, the percentage of scholarship-intended money will probably rise in the coming years. In Nyakahanga, the pastors house was renovated; in Kayanga, a pastors house had to be built. The completion is going to be at the beginning of The project is therefore completed. 6

7 Example of projects: The scholarship programme for Tegemeo Several primary and secondary schools belong to the Karagwe Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT). In Lukajange, the Tegemeo English Medium Primary School was established in It bases on a missionary school that was founded in the 1940s, and some of the buildings have not been renewed since then. Thus, several parts of the school have to be renovated. In 2007, Henkel company from Düsseldorf made a donation. So, a new dormitory for girls could be built which improved their living conditions significantly. Like all national primary schools Tegemeo follows the English school system. Children visit the primary school level from class 1 to 7. Furthermore, a kindergarten belongs to Tegemeo which prepares the children for their school visit. In 2008, 254 pupils (127 girls and 127 boys) visited Tegemeo (kindergarten included). About two thirds of them are boarders; the others are non-boarders who come from the direct neighbourhood of Tegemeo. In 2008, 11 teachers were employed (4 women and 7 men) who were assisted by one secretary. In addition to that, several matrons, cooks and watchmen are responsible for the children s well-being. The Tegemeo curriculum is in line with the national guidelines with the subject Theology being additionally offered. In Tegemeo, all subjects are taught in English which gives the pupils the chance to learn intensively a second international language. In contrast to national schools, where usually 50 or even 70 children are being taught in one class, in Tegemeo, each class consists of approximately 30 pupils only. For Tanzanian circumstances, the class rooms in Tegemeo are well equipped. Because of the support from the Leverkusen Church District, each child can have his/her own school book for every subject. So, a high standard education is guaranteed for the pupils of Tegemeo. This is also proofed by the national tests after class 4 and 7: Pupils from Tegemeo always perform well on these tests, even with results being above average. Having a private school standard, Tegemeo does not receive any noteworthy national support but it has to rely on school fees. Sadly, this is why talented children from poor families do not have access to high quality school education. Scholarships / Sponsorships Against this background, Lukajange Church District and Leverkusen Friendship Committee have initiated a scholarship programme. Annually since 2004, ten talented children from very poor families have been given the chance to visit Tegemeo. Private persons or groups from Leverkusen Church District have taken over the sponsorship of these pupils for a seven year period. In 2009, all in all 53 children are going to profit from this programme. The ten first scholars are finishing school at the end of Staff at Tegemeo The example of Peterson John a boy taking his chances Peterson John was born in His father died in 2000 when Peterson was seven years old. All alone, his mother Claeodia has to raise him, his four brothers and four sisters in a small and remote village in Kibombo. Because of the father s death Peterson s family is completely destitute. In 2004 and as one of the first children, Peterson received a scholarship for Tegemeo. Since then, he has been living in the boarding school for the most time of the year. In the meanwhile, he has finished grade 5 as the best pupil of his class! With the help of the scholarship programme John received the chance to visit Tegemeo where he can unfold his abilities. With a good exam Peterson is going to get the admission to visit a secondary school in the end of Without this scholarship, it would have been unlikely for Peterson to get such a chance. Petersen John Pupils at Tegemeo 7

8 Partnership Consultation 2008 in Kayanga In the time from 4-8 August 2008, Partnership Committees from both Germany and Tanzania met in Kayanga for the official Partnership Consultation. The aim of the conference was to formulate a joint partnership agreement which is supposed to be the foundation for the partnership work in the next years. The conference was attended by the UEM which has already contributed to other agreements like this. Three members of Leverkusen Friendship Committee were delegated: Anne Becker, Hans Michael Bach and Marcus Bernhardt. After five days of encounter, exchange of experience and discussion the delegates agreed upon the Kayanga Agreement. The main issues of this paper are separated into three categories: 1 st ) United in God s Mission German partnership groups, ELCT Karagwe diocese and its districts are together in the fellowship of United Evangelical Mission (UEM), a communion of churches on three continents. When gospel and culture meet, many questions come up. We hope to learn to handle these questions with high sensibility and respect. The aim of intercultural learning is to find a deeper understanding and respect of the other. 2 nd ) Partnership Members of Conference We take into consideration that the term partnership in general refers to a personal relationship (e.g. within a marriage) or a business relationship. Church Partnership in the German Tanzanian context means: Both, pastors and lay co workers, women, men and youth should be involved in these visits, and all parties should be prepared thoroughly. Hosts and visitors should organise a programme that includes both church and society life. In the spirit of sharing, we welcome the exchange of personnel which is not limited to pastors. For such a programme, an agreement on the job description, coverage of the costs for housing, medical care and salaries, is to be worked out. Personnel should be recruited in mutual consultation. Such programmes will be facilitated with the help of UEM. > Ecumenical Learning > Spirituality Since the beginning of the partnership we have shared in each other s spiritual life (e.g. Partnership Sunday, common prayers and singing during visits...). Common celebration of services and sharing in the sacraments, as well as sharing in hymns, common prayers and intercessions are an expression of the unity of the church. Partnership encounter initiates ecumenical learning. This means that we as partners and districts in Germany and Tanzania realize that we are only one part of the worldwide body of Christ. We learn from each other because we encounter different ways of life through partnership. Ecumenical learning includes the commitment of caring for the next generat i o n s as well. 8 > Friendship (Kiswahili: Urafiki) > Brother and sisterhood, companionship (Undugu) 3 rd ) Key Areas Standards are described and recommendments are given: > Personal Contacts, Visits, Delegations and Personnel Visits stimulate friendship and strengthen partnership. In personal encounters mutual acceptance can be experienced, as Christ has accepted us. We learn from each other. Through visits we experience hospitality. The different languages are a challenge. Short break

9 > Advocacy Advocacy is that people of God stand together for justice, mercy, compassion and healing for all people and bring the good news to the poor and the needy. We do this because we are caretakers of God s creation and because we believe that every human being is created in the image of God. > Projects We confess that we are one in Christ. Because of this confession we share not only our material goods but also our shortcomings. Therefore partnership projects are not based on charity, but solidarity. Arthur Kanwakaita and Anne Becker We live under unjust economic conditions. The division between rich and poor is a distressing reality between North and South and also visible within our respective societies. One of the ways we respond to this fact is our financial cooperation. Needs and possibilities always affect all members of a body equally. Those who have greater financial potential at present do not have a greater right in decision making or interference. > Communication Communication means to share information about life and work in congregations, institutions and church districts (in German: Kirchenkreise, Dekanate) as well as burning issues in our societies. > Partnership Committees We realise the different setups of partnership committees (e.g. Freundeskreise ) in Germany and Tanzania. The exchange of minutes shall encrease the understanding of each other s structures. Bible Work All delegations presented the agreement to their partnership groups after their arrivals back at home. Leverkusen Friendship Committee adopted the Kayanga Agreement on 5 November 2008 which is now regarded as the foundation of our partnership work. The delegates have decided on organising and participating on a further consultation of this kind in future years which is supposed the be held in Germany. Presentation of results from groups 9

10 Financial report: Where do the financial means come from? Leverkusen Friendship Committee receives financial support from various sources: donations from the Leverkusen Church District and its Parishes which are financed by church tax money; private donations and collections; donations from schools and companies; governmental donations for projects and delegation visits. With this report Leverkusen Friendship Committee accounts for the use of these donations. In 2008, Leverkusen Friendship Committee could report about Euro donation money. In comparison with the previous year, this means an increase of Euro or 38%. In the time frame from 2003 till 2008 this was the highest amount of annual donations. Scholarships / Sponsorships for Tegemeo In 2008, private donations of Euro (28% of all benefits) helped 43 children from very poor families to visit the Tegemeo English Medium Primary School. Euro of these funds have been used as prepayment for next years school fees and have therefore been transferred to the coming financial years. In 2009, ten further pupils will receive scholarships for Tegemeo. The projects is going to be continued in the next years. The extent of the payments and the percentage of all benefits is therefore going to increase further. Grant from the Evangelical Development Service The Evangelical Development Service with its head office in Bonn supported our partnership work in 2008 with donations of Euro or 11% of all benefits. This subsidy was used for the delegation visit in 2007 (Euro 5.000) and the project Training of Kindergarten Teachers (Euro 3.212). Grants from schools and companies A donation running event of the Anton-Schwarz school in Monheim brought together Euro for our partnership work. The Henkel company in Düsseldorf made a donation of Euro for Tegemeo. Donations from Parishes Donations from Parishes are with 29% the main part of all benefits. In addition to church service collections or proceeds of congregations feasts, the Parishes of Monheim and Langenfeld subscribe money for our partnership work annually. In 2008, the Opladen Parish decided also to contribute to our partnership work regularly. The diagram shows the distribution of the donations from all different sources. 10

11 What is the money used for? Leverkusen Friendship Committee uses its financial means only for partnership work. Included are delegation visits in Tanzania and Germany; project work in Tanzania; training and public relations in Germany. Low expenditure for fees and material costs have to be added as well. In total, Euro was spent on partnership work in In comparison with previous years ( ) this was the highest expenditure. Projects in Tanzania The greatest part of financial means are used for project work in Lukajange. In total, a sum of Euro or 79,6% was invested in project work. Alone Euro or 35% were used for the scholarship programme in Tegemeo. This proportion is going to increase in the next years due to the expansion of the scholarship programme. The renovation of the pastor s house in Nyakahanga and the new construction of the pastor s house in Kayanga was supported with Euro or 24% of the financial project means. The construction of the house in Kayanga is going to be accomplished at the beginning of Delegation visits & partnership conference In July and August 2008, three delegates visited the Lukajange District and joined the partnership conference in Kanyanga. Leverkusen Friendship Committee also covered the costs of the Tanzanian delegates from Lukajange District who participated in the conference. The total sum was Euro or 17,4% of all expended money. Fees, material costs and public relations The expenditure on fees (foreign currency remittance), material costs and public relations amounted to Euro 760 or 1,48% of all expended money. Expenditure on administration do not add to these costs since they are paid by the Leverkusen Church District for free. Pleasantly, there were no additional expenses on other supporting tasks. The German Central Department for Social Questions assesses an amount of up to 20% of all donation money for supporting activities as adequate in order to receive the official donation seal. The costs of Leverkusen Friendship Committee do clearly not reach this number. Transfers, reserves and savings Euro of all donation money have already been paid in advance for next years school fees. Conclusively, these expenses are being transferred to the next financial year. Euro were intended for a building project in Tegemeo but have not been used in These means have been earmarked and are going to be transferred to next year. For the delegation visit in July/August 2009 Euro , half of the expected costs, are going to be transferred to the next financial year. The training of kindergarten teachers at the Morogoro Seminar and the higher education training of pastors at the University in Makumira was supported with Euro and Euro respectively. The salaries of staff members of the diocese (Block Grant, Euro 4.800) and of teachers from the Lukajange Orphan Vocational Training Centre (Euro 3.000) are partly paid by donation money. Qualified staff members can therefore be bonded to the diocese and its work can continue. After the calculation of all transfers and reserves, the operative result of the financial year 2008 affirms a surplus of Euro 833. This money is being added to the reserves which are therefore increasing from Euro to Euro Euro of these reserves are invested at Oicokredit. 11

12 Evangelical Church District of Leverkusen Friendship Committee Leverkusen Lukajange c/o Evangelical Church District of Leverkusen Otto-Grimm-Str. 9, Leverkusen Phone +49 (0) Bank Account Evangelical Church District of Leverkusen Account Number KD Bank Duisburg (Bank Code ) Designated use: Tanzania Partnership Please leave your address if you would like to receive a written donation confirmation.