Department of Diaconia
The aim of the department is to serve the most needy people in Karagwe Diocese by following the example of Christ.More than 90% of Karagwe’s population depends on agriculture. About 50% of its population have less than1 $ a day to spend. The Tanzanian governmental social security schemes are at a minimum. Therefore it is difficult for poor people, old people, orphans and others to manage their life. Their close relatives are only able to produce for their own survival without any surplus so that they are not able to assist them.
Activities
Assisting Diaconal Groups
The department does regular field visits to see the clients out in the villages. There are some poor people who are able to use their recourses. But there are also those who cannot do anything, so that the Diaconia Department assists in setting up diaconal groups in the congregations. Together with pastors, evangelists, Lutheran sisters and diaconia groups and other diaconia stakeholders within the diocese the department is doing its best to share the Christian faith with the poorest of the poor by helping, encouraging and developing. So far 14 groups have been formed with about 100 participants. Theses diaconal groups are making regular visits (once or twice per month), advising and supporting the poor to help themselves.
Help at the office
The Diaconia office is open for two days, Monday and Friday. Then poor and sick people come to the office looking for assistance. In the average, about ten people come to the office each week. Common problems include hospital fees, school fees and support for orphans (babies below one year).Seminars
The department conducts seminars which include Bible study, self-reliance, nutrition and group discussion. The participants discuss together on how the church can improve the Diaconal work. The participants normally contribute towards the training costs in form of food, water, and labour. From the training sessions the following achievements have been observed: Most of the groups have been able to use their own resources to help poor people. They also share what they have learned with the whole congregation in order to make all people to work together with them.History
You can download the history of the diaconia work in Karagwe. The paper was written for the 100th jubilee of the Karagwe Diocese in June 2010.
History of the Diaconia-Department
The staff of the department: Sr. Editha Paulo, Sr. Petronia Kaihura, Anne Juel Jensen (anthropologist) from Denmark.
Contact Further information by Email: diaconia@kad.or.tz.
Text: Editha Sylivester