Diocese: Same
Pioneers: Sisters Jacinta Cutinha, Victoria Serrao and Assumpta Mangali
St Angela Convent is located in the Mwanga district of the Kilimanjaro region in Tanzania. It lies seventy-five kilometres south of the district headquarters of Same and fifteen kilometres south of Mwanga District. Being located 12,000 feet above the sea level and surrounded by three villages, namely Ngujini, Chanjale, Songoa, the region is a feast to the eyes of the passer- by.
The mission began to take shape when Sisters Jacinta Cutinha, Victoria Serrao and Leena Mathias moved to Chanjale seminary school on August 16, 2004 in order to obtain teaching experience (as it exists in the land). On December 27, 2004, Bishop Koda handed over a community school named Kindoroko Secondary School of Kisangara Juu parish to the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters in the presence of Fr Mansuetus, Secretary General of the Diocese and Fr Elias Msuya the parish priest and school manager. In the meantime, Sisters Jacinta Cutinha and Victoria Serrao moved to Kindoroko after their teaching experience at the seminary school; Sr Assuntha Mangali joined them at Kindoroko. Sr Edilburga, Mission Superior guided the Sisters while staying with them for a period of three months.
The staff quarters of the school, existing in the school premises have been renovated and converted into a convent for the Sisters. It was blessed by Fr Everest Abedi on December 27, 2004 (Fr Elias was transferred by then). The Holy Eucharist was celebrated in the Convent on May 12, 2005 by Fr Abedi; he also installed the Blessed Sacrament in the Convent. The Convent was canonically erected on January 1, 2007. Fr Valence E Mruma joined the school as a chaplain and second master in June 2007. Fr Hilary Mshana has been rendering his services as chaplain to the Sisters from 2011 onwards.
There have been other remarkable developments in the school: the school has been equipped with twenty computers, received as a gift from VIA-AFRICA agency. Two dormitories have been constructed; one is meant to be a hostel for girl students and the other is a recruit house, meant for fostering vocations. The Sisters envision beginning pre-university course (form V and VI) in 2012. Construction of the building for this purpose is in progress.
The recruit house fosters vocations to Ursuline Franciscan way of life. The recruits are encouraged to participate in the ‘come and see’ programme organized for duration of three days. Those who show fervour to join religious life through the Ursuline Franciscan way of life are provided one year intensive formation; they are also assisted with academics to complete pre-form. Subsequently, they are admitted to the Secondary School at Kindoroko; during their study period at Kindoroko, they are provided with opportunities for weekly prayers and instructions, spiritual direction and annual retreat. A ‘Recruit Directress’ accompanies them all through the course of time. The recruits are indeed a blessing to the African mission. They accompany the Sisters in church activities such as catechizing the adults and First Holy communicants, preparing students for Baptism and Confirmation and visiting families. The Sisters undertake more humanitarian activities. They offer counselling services to school children, provide vehicle of the school to take the ailing poor to hospitals, console the bereaved and offer assistance to poor children to complete their studies.
St Angela Community and School have been animated by Sr Jacinta Cutinha for two years and Sr Victoria Serrao for five years. Currently, Sr Sunitha Catherine Vas is shouldering the responsibility. Sisters Renita D’Souza, Nirmala A, Asses D’Souza, Elizabeth Shayo and Josephine Tibaaga were serving as teachers in the school. Sisters Trecilla Dias, Asses D’Souza and Lavina Rodrigues joined the school as teachers in consecutive years. As the school is residential in nature, the Sisters had to strive hard to bring discipline in the school.
