Diocese: Dar-es-Salaam
Pioneers: Sisters Irene Reema D’Souza, Trecilla Dias and Consolatha Thairora
The existence of St Clare Convent is truly providential. As the Sisters were exploring avenues to extend further their services to the needy, Mr Samboja, professor in Dar-es-Salaam and Director of Rural Research and Poverty Alleviation (REPOA), brother of Fr Mansuetus, donated 16.37 acres of land to the Sisters. The land has acquired already a title deed in the name of the Ursuline Franciscan Society. St Clare Convent is situated in the coastal region; it is seven kilometres south of Mlandizi town and 60 kilometres south of the Arusha-Dar-es-Salaam highway.
The foundation stone of the Convent was laid on October 14, 2008 by Fr Stephen Kombe, the Rector of Visiga Minor Seminary of Dar-es-Salaam Diocese. Sr Irene Reema supervised the construction work efficiently for four months while residing with the Sisters of Kilimanjaro. Sisters Lavina Rodrigues and Renita D’Souza assisted her throughout the four months. The Convent was inaugurated on January 30, 2009 by Mr Samboja and Ms Schola, his wife. Cardinal Polycarp Pengo of Dar-es- Salaam blessed the building. Fathers Peddy Castelino SVD and Peter Pinto SVD from Arusha assisted the Sisters in installing the solar system in the Convent premises.
Within a period of three months after the inauguration of the Convent, a centre for recruits was constructed; it was inaugurated by Ms Schola and blessed by Bishop Method Kilaini, Auxiliary Bishop of the diocese. It is named St Clare Formation Centre. Three batches of recruits, 51 in all, have passed through the portals of this centre. Out of the 51 students, 36 recruits have been continuing their secondary school education at Kindoroko, which is managed by the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters. During this period Sr Mariola Picardo ably animated the community and its mission. Besides this venture, the Sisters coach boys of the neighbourhood in the evening at the Convent premises. Human Development Programme (HDP) was commenced in January 2010 in view of assisting students who have dropped out of school. The Sisters involve themselves actively in the pastoral activities of the sub-parish community. They catechize in Visiga Secondary and Primary schools on Fridays and in Kwakipo outstation of the parish on Sundays. Along with the recruits, the Sisters attend SCC meetings; they also share their reflections on the word of God while joining to pray in families. Visiting the sick and the aged of the neighbourhood – Muslims form majority of the population in Visiga – is a common feature of the apostolic activity of the Sisters. Sr Reema (of the medical personnel) guides people in primary health care; she also creates in them awareness regarding HIV/AIDS.
St Aloysius Secondary school at Visiga stands as a promising project both to the mission in Tanzania and to the Sisters. It exists as an extension of the St Aloysius Primary School in Mbezi Beach. The school has been equipped with eight classrooms, four dormitories, four laboratories and an administrative block. The major part of the building was inaugurated by Sr Doreen D’Souza, the Superior General on June 9, 2011. The school was opened in January 2012; it has been registered as well. The Sisters are indebted to the European Region for the financial support. Manos Unidas, Spain, has financed the construction of three laboratories for the school. The Sisters envision affording quality education to girl children in Tanzania. They look forward to forming St Aloysius School as a source of self-sufficiency to carry on the mission of the African Region.
