Diocese: Dar-es-Salaam
Pioneers: Sisters Irene D’Souza, Leena Mathias and Vinola Iniappanavar
St Aloysius Convent is located two kilometres south of the city of Dar-es-Salaam meaning ‘harbour of peace’. Apart from the significance of the city for economic, maritime and business deals, a house in the vicinity of the city was a dire need precisely because the offices related to educational and such other business transactions are situated in the city.
Mr Aloyce Ngowi and Mr Charles Mlawa, two philanthropic businessmen were instrumental to a large extent in the realization of the dream of the Sisters to begin a house in the vicinity of the main city. They offered their newly constructed five-storied building to the Sisters on condition that fifty percent of the income generated from the school should be given to them. The agreement holds good for twelve years.
On January 2, 2006, the Sisters began residing in the fifth floor of the building, which is named St Aloysius Convent. It serves as a transit house to Sisters from other communities who arrive at the city on account of office matters related to education, land etc. On January 16, 2006, St Aloysius Nursery and Primary school was inaugurated and blessed by Fr Alphonse Minja, parish priest, and a member of the Congregation of the Precious Blood. Currently, the school has 230 students varying from nursery to class seven. It ranks as one of the top ten schools in the district; it has also bagged the ‘certificate of excellence in education’ from the Ministry of Educational and Vocational Training. The school is also known for faith formation and character building. The school arranges counselling classes for parents and students.
The school has catered to students of remote areas through boarding facilities for three years; however, such a remarkable apostolate had to be brought to an end because the rooms had to be converted as classrooms in order to provide admissions for the school. There are possibilities that the apostolate will be re- launched: the Sisters have been able to buy 25 acres of land in Bagamoyo, a new city in Dar-es-Salaam.
The Sisters, besides their teaching responsibilities, join the SCC prayer meetings, distribute communion during the Eucharistic celebrations, and collaborate with other religious congregations in parish activities. The Sisters also visit the sick and suffering in their neighbourhood on a regular basis. They join the people in their festivals and prayer sessions on all occasions. Fr Shabas Crasta OCD caters to the spiritual needs of the Sisters.
