The Sisters of Notre Dame in East Africa are incredibly grateful for the support from donors and foundations in the United States. Without this support, their life-altering outreach to the poor and marginalized would not be possible. SND USA is thrilled to report on four recently completed major projects that benefitted greatly from the support of the Hilton Fund for Sisters.
St. Kizito Primary in Mpanda, Tanzania
The Mpanda Mission educates children who previously had no access to schools or professional opportunity. They come from the Waviba Tribe, an agricultural-based tribe reliant on subsistence farming. Flooding and improver drainage have resulted in children contracting bilharzia, colds, cough, pneumonia and malaria, and skin diseases from standing, dirty water and insect bites. The standing water also hid snakes and sharp objects, which posed serious risks.
Seven water tanks that can hold a capacity of 10,000 liters per tank were purchased and installed on the property. Rain gutters funnel water into the tanks, preventing floods and storing the water for use during the dry seasons. Our children, teachers and sisters are getting enough clean water for daily use. The basic hygiene has improved in the dormitories, kitchen and the staff quarters. The health of everyone on the property has improved as waterborne disease risks have been mitigated.
Butemba Farm, Uganda
Uganda has limited capacity to produce and distribute food. Many roads, such as those in Butemba and Buseesa are unpaved and undeveloped. Transporting food from other areas is nearly impossible due to the road conditions, fuel cost, and expense. As such the diet of rural Ugandans is comprised mainly of corn, plantains, and beans. Children and women especially suffer from lack of protein and nutrient-dense food. With a rapidly growing population and poor infrastructure, Uganda continues to struggle to feed its most vulnerable populations.
The Sisters of Notre Dame take charge of not only educating, but feeding and caring for the children in the local area. This project purchased 26 cows, suitable for milk and beef. The Butemba Cow Project represents a transformative opportunity for the community in Buseesa. By integrating sustainable farming practices with educational initiatives, this project will not only improve the nutrition of the children and teachers of our schools but also cultivate economic growth and resilience in the local community. 1300 people have been affected by the new Butemba Cow Project. Students, neighbors, and families are benefiting from the milk. The manure being produced has also been used to increase farm production.
According to Sr. Rozaria, “Our success is making children’s upbringing a healthier one, since they are being served meat and milk. This nutritional improvement for children in our care is the greatest achievement of the project.”
Notre Dame Spirituality and Education Centre Karen, Kenya
The Spirituality and Education Centre is home to several student sisters who are completing their education at nearby universities. Karen is a suburb of Nairobi in Kenya, lying south-west of Nairobi’s central business district that borders the Ngong Forest. This same Karen, where many residents live in affluence, has less fortunate neighbors just next door. Kuwinda, Kataka and Kalinde slums, settlement of tin shacks. These slums consist of families of 4-7 people living in shacks that barely hold a mattress and lack running water, electricity and plumbing. An estimated 12% of residents are HIV positive.
There is a great demand for environmentally safe, chemical residual free healthy foods supply to the community around, the neighboring families and for the sisters. Through the organic livestock and poultry project, the student sisters have adopted a ministry that improves the health and wellness of the community around them. Sisters started supplying healthy vegetables, pork, chicken meat and eggs to the society around, feeding more than 1500 people each week.
Food Cultivation & Distribution to the NeedyArusha, Tanzania
This grant was used for construction of a spacious livestock house for 50 pigs, 500 chickens (layer and broiler varieties), and 50 rabbits. After buying the initial supply and establishing the livestock program, we will be responsibly breeding pigs and rabbits in order to increase the output and maintain a healthy program. It was also used to construct a greenhouse garden of 8 by 20 metres for fresh vegetable supply. The livestock and greenhouse programs are producing food, and we are able to share this food with our neighbors as well as sell animal and plant products to schools in the area. The income generated by sales will fund our food donation programs and other outreach to the poor.
The eggs and vegetables will be especially helpful to the malnourished children and the elderly who are reached through the weekly outreach programs. The project will reduce the market expenses on vegetables and meat supply for the residents of this community and the surrounding area. This will increase the Internal novitiate income so the outreach program becomes self sustaining and serve more people. The students, the neighbors and the sisters will get high quality meat, eggs and vegetables. The care for mother earth and animals will be enhanced more effectively as the organic farming will take place and the animals will eat from the excess vegetables while their manure will be used in the garden. The local families will have access to safe, uncontaminated food.
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