Kwediboma

Kwediboma is a ward and settlement located in the region of Tanga, and in the Handeni District. As the crow flies, the distance to the regional capital of Tanga, is approximately 172.6 km (107.2 mi).

The Rosminian Sisters have a significant presence in Kwediboma and are very active and busy in the following Ministries:

Kwediboma Healthcare Centre

Catchment population: 9-10,000

Key staff met: Sr. Marietha Maingi

Nearest referral unit: 60km at Handeni

Facilities: 26 Beds, 5 wards (1 Masai if needed). Have Lab, maternal/child health clinic, Mobile outreach clinic (once per week to administer vaccines and antenatal) and TB and HIV/AIDs program.

Staff: 3 Sisters are staff nurses and midwifery, 1 of the Sisters is the Secretary. The health Centre has 20 Staff Nurses and 4 doctors (all lay people) and 4 auxiliary staff.

Workload: 70-80 deliveries/ month + 70 plus outpatients/day and 200+ inpatients per month.

Disease pattern: Malaria, URTI, Typhoid, Pneumonia, UTI, Anemia, Hypertension, Diabetes.

Support from government and other sources: Government supply Vaccines, HIV & TB medication, they also provide wages. Receive some UK Church based financial support.

This picture reflects the daily queues that start from early morning.

Orphanage, or as we call it, ‘Children Centre’.

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We currently have 25 children (11 boys and 14 girls). They all attend our school in the Centre. All their needs are met by the Sisters and some small donations we receive from time to time. There is no contribution whatsoever from their relatives towards their well-being or their education. We treat them as family, love them and watch over them and guide them to reach their full potential. Recently 6 of our ‘children’ (5 boys and 1 girl) graduated from Secondary School and have now returned to their relatives to continue their life’s journey. Our youngest child Amina came to us after her Mum died when she was just two years old. Amina needed a lot of care and attention to get her to a healthy weight and to overcome some of her health issues. She still has some problems with balance and the Sisters continue to pursue avenues to assist her. She recently accompanied us when we took her Sister Prisca to a special school that helps children who are physically challenged.

Antonio Rosmini Pre / Primary School.

The Principal is Sr. Delfina Moshi. The Bursar and Secretary is Sr. Pauline Kiongo.

There are more than 20 lay people and 10 auxiliary staff also employed in the School. This year we have 479 children attending of which 103 are in Nursery (50 girls and 53 boys) and 376 in the Primary School (195 boys and 181 girls). The school day starts at 7.30 a.m. and finishes at 3.30 p.m. Breakfast is served to all at 10 a.m. and lunch at 12.30 p.m. The Sisters manage the Centre and with the income they generate from the sale of farm products, the Sisters income from working in the School, donations from generous individuals and groups who occasionally bring goods to help out the Sisters.

Boys and Girls Hostels

The Hostel Accommodation for boys accommodates 90 boys and the accommodation for girls is 80 maximum. At present both are full. Unfortunately, girls who live a good distance from the school are impeded from attending by the limited amount of space available. These students also avail of breakfast, lunch and evening meal, provided by the Sisters. Three of the Sisters, along with auxiliary Staff, look after the Boarders. While in our care, both the boys and girls are responsible for the washing of their clothes, assisting in helping to prepare meals and tidy up afterwards, and shown how to keep the bedrooms tidy. It is very much a family atmosphere. They also have supervised study.

Postulants

These are some of our Aspirants and Postulants

We currently have 23 Postulants guided by Sr. Marisela and Sr. Mariana in our house just a short distance from the Kwediboma Children’s Centre.

Postulancy is a time of transition and accompaniment for the Postulant so that she comes to understand her vocation, by learning to live the spirit of the Congregation which includes ongoing mutual discernment.
After a simple entrance ceremony, the postulant begins a year of immersion into the life of her new religious family. She attends all community prayers and practices all our customs that are a part of our life.
The postulant receives the guidance of the Postulant mistress or her assistant, who guide her to grow in virtue and self-knowledge.
She learns of the joys and demands of community life.
During this year she becomes acquainted with the basics of Rosminian spirituality and history, along with the charism of our Congregation.
The postulant attends classes of basic Catholic doctrine, Sacred Scripture, the spiritual life, and Church history. Seminars and conferences are on a monthly basis and given by a priest designated as Chaplain to the sisters.
The afternoons include a period of physical exercise, a house duty, and spiritual reading.
Some days are also spent working on the farm and tending to the cattle.