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Introduction
The decision to start a
special fund that will enhance issues of education and development in our
diocese was taken by the executive council of the North Eastern Diocese (NED) of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) when it convened on the 20th
of July 2001 in Lushoto, Tanzania. The matter was accepted in principle after a
brief presentation and an apprehension of some social problems within the
diocese's geographical boundaries. A couple of months later, the executive
council decided to elect a special committee which has been responsible for
preparing the formation and operation of the fund. In the beginning of 2002, the
executive council will appoint a board which is going to run the fund. The
Bishop's fund will be a standing agenda in the forthcoming meetings of the
executive council. It is therefore valid to say that the Bishop's fund is still
on its early stages of formation.
Why do we start this fund?
With this
fund, we want to respond to the hard social and economic reality which many
Tanzanians face today. Many people are hit by poverty and as a Church we regard
the task of bringing about constructive changes in our country as part of our
mission. One effect of poverty is the creation of classes where the majority of
Tanzanians find themselves in the class of the poor. It is a fact that within
the Tanzanian society, there is a social stratification with few privileged and
many underprivileged. This can lead to power imbalance where the rich become
powerful while the poor remain powerless. Those who belong to the rich class
will be able to provide good education to their children and by doing so, these
children will be able to take over the best jobs and the high positions within
the society. Thus poverty becomes a form of slavery that leads to the submission
of the poor people to the rich. Unless they are assisted, the poor will remain
low. We in the NED want to counteract this process so that good education
doesn't remain a hypothetical right but becomes a real possibility for children
who live in poor families. Being part of the Tanzanian society, it is our
responsibility to co-operate with our government and other organizations in
creating a just and open system that makes education available to as many
children as possible. Through the Bishop's fund we want to stand in solidarity
with those who don't have access to good education opportunities. In this way,
the NED will be present in our society as an agent of development and
empowerment among the less privileged. The fund is our response to the cry that
rises from the masses of our society.
| Child at Irente childrens home
Pictures on this page
from Irente Children's Home |
Our vision
In his consecration speech,
Bishop Dr. Stephen Munga said: "Our vision is a prophetic one - to change human
existence from misery and sorrow to joy, from desperation to hope, from slavery
to freedom." This is a prophetic vision that prompts us to struggle for and with
the underprivileged at all times in order to make them sing a New Song; a Song
for and about their Lord, about their God-given country, about their freedom -
and not a song for and about their task masters. Through this prophetic vision
we perceive how things within the society ought to be as contrary to how they
are. The vision empowers us with new strength to struggle through prayer and
action as we turn towards a better future for the society. This vision opens our
eyes to discover, develop and utilise new talents among the youth and together
get involved in composing a New Song to be sang by future generations. As we
strive towards the realisation of this vision, we have the possibility of
sharing the core of the gospel of Christ; thereby serving the whole human
person.
Our objective
In realising our
vision, we take the great commission as our main objective: Go therefore! We
respond to the commission by playing our part in serving God's people and
maintaining the awareness of God's active presence in the world. We intend:
- to be active in reducing the percentage of children who either drop out from
school due to financial hindrances or lack the opportunity of going to school
altogether.
- to offer alternative opportunities to young people who cannot attend school,
yet need to learn constructive ways of earning their living.
- to maintain a high quality in education services offered to the society.
- to operate under the framework of the Christian faith and Christian
values.
With this fund, we want to respond to the hard social and economic reality
which many Tanzanians face today. Many people are hit by poverty and as a Church
we regard the task of bringing about constructive changes in our country as part
of our mission. One effect of poverty is the creation of classes where the
majority of Tanzanians find themselves in the class of the poor. It is a fact
that within the Tanzanian society, there is a social stratification with few
privileged and many underprivileged. This can lead to power imbalance where the
rich become powerful while the poor remain powerless. Those who belong to the
rich class will be able to provide good education to their children and by doing
so, these children will be able to take over the best jobs and the high
positions within the society. Thus poverty becomes a form of slavery that leads
to the submission of the poor people to the rich. Unless they are assisted, the
poor will remain low. We in the NED want to counteract this process so that good
education doesn't remain a hypothetical right but becomes a real possibility for
children who live in poor families. Being part of the Tanzanian society, it is
our responsibility to co-operate with our government and other organizations in
creating a just and open system that makes education available to as many
children as possible. Through the Bishop's fund we want to stand in solidarity
with those who don't have access to good education opportunities. In this way,
the NED will be present in our society as an agent of development and
empowerment among the less privileged. The fund is our response to the cry that
rises from the masses of our society.
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About our Diocese 
