A Special Report on Inauguration of Designated Hospital Construction for Kilindi District: By Yohana Chakusaga

The reception was royal and spectacular! After all the population has been waiting for this devastating day for such long.

It was the day when the head of ELCT – NED, Bishop Dr. Stephen Munga, for the first time visited the new Kilindi District where the diocese has been invited to build a designated district hospital.

At 10.15 on 9th June 2004 the Bishop flocked by Dean Rev. Jonathan Mwamboza, Plains District Pastor, Rev. John Fisha; Handeni Parish Pastor, Rev. Hokelai Shekizongolo and Plains District based Members of Diocesan Executive Council arrived at Songwe, the capital of Kilindi District.

It is a rapid growing sloppy town, 114 kilometres east of Handeni town; bordering Morogoro on the southwest, Arusha and Manyara regions on the north and north west respectively, with its fertile soil favouring rich corn and legume harvest.

A multitude consisting of thousands of people from all levels of social status and beliefs – led by the District Commissioner, Lt. Wilfred Ligubi - was waiting. We were told later that they have been waiting for two hours prior to our arrival, but when the crowd saw the approaching bishop’s car from a nearby hill, the sky was blown up by deafening roar of trumpets and thunderous cheer in response. As usual, the number of women and children swallowed the counterpart males.

After official reception procedures at the District headquarters, a special sermon was conducted on the 200-acre plot where the hospital is planned to be built. The service was short and peaceful, with a great impact.

In his speech the Bishop urged the habitants to fully cooperate during the whole construction process by considering that the activity belongs to them.

“When you invited us to help in this work you knew that there are other institutions you could approach. We know that you have faith on us that we can do it.”

He furthermore said: “ we don’t have cash in hand for this work, but I promise you that we will do it! We have experience for over a century that wherever we are given empty lands God put buildings for us. When you believe in God fear has no room in you”, said the confident bishop amidst thunderous applause from the multi-audience.

However the Bishop warned that he will never tolerate misuse of building materials and funds.

On behalf of the government, Lt. Ligubi promised to monitor the building activity against infidelity through involving the district security forces.

The Kilindi Constituency MP, Hon. Juma Salim Kidunda expressed his joy when he thanked the church for its willingness to undertake many of the government’s responsibilities, particularly health care and education. The MP mentioned the DC as a workhorse tirelessly engineering the fast growing development in the new district.

The offering collected at the same event amounted Tshs. 68,000/=. Bishop Munga eventually offered the money for immediate commencement of the work.

Perharps the touching testimony of the day was when a top Muslim figure openly declared that the day has pumped his anxiety to the climax: “… this is the second most important day in the history of our district; the first day being when we were officially announced as a new district.”

Who else should testify that God works with and inside His people?