Nkwenda Youth Centre

Andrea and Klaus Schaeffer celebrating 20 years Nkwenda Youth Centre. (Photo: KAD)
The idea to establish Nkwenda Youth Centre was born in the early 1980s. The idea aimed to strengthen youth from Nkwenda area as they were attending seminars in an increasing number of participants. There were also job camps organized by the diocese more than in any other region of the diocese.

In 1986, a tailoring class with six girls started at Nkwenda Parish and by the time the parish pastor, Rev. F. Tibiita allowed his house to be used as a temporary class and store. This was possible through the cooperation of the Karagwe Diocese and Karagwe District Council. The class started with three sewing machines given by the Karagwe Adult Education Programme, Sr. Regina Ntimba and Obadiah Mukuta. All three of them contributed one sewing machine. Materials for the tailoring class were given by friends in Germany through Rev. Hans Georg Ackermeier and Mrs. Gisela Niedergassel.

As the extension of the activities was needed, the Diocese decided to establish a big centre. In 1986 the District Office for Agriculture agreed to give 10 acres to the Diocese. The plot was handed over on 27th January 1987. On the way, the idea was expanded that instead of only having a youth centre, the Diocese should also establish a training centre for farmers. The expansion of the idea led to the request of another 100 acres plot from the government.

In 1987, the Diocese organized a camp where youth from different parishes came together and made 6000 bricks. Friends from Germany came to support the building process in 1988 when a team of eight people came for a building camp. Those were: G. Grummart, G. Sauerbrey, C. Brickmeyer, S. Kloker, A. Schaefer and T. Kuhlmann under the leadership of Rev. Heinz-Georg Ackermeier from Westfalia Church.

A guest from Kongo: Rev. Dr. Jean Mutombo. (Photo: Wolfgang Schroeder)
Support from different areas was given in order to build the centre such as by ULD 80, a Danish institution which send a group with Hans and Helle Larsen. Furthermore Bethel through Deacon Horst Ullman and other people gave support. On 25th July 1990 the centre was officially inaugurated by Bishop P. Mukuta.

In 1991, the centre started a goat keeping project. This project was supported by Leverkusen District, Germany. Rev. H.J. Doelschar and Rev. Hubert Boecke gave their support for the area survey. In 1992, a trumpet-choir-group from Luebbecke, Germany came with Rev. Horst Schulte and participated in building a tailoring class and a hall.

In 1993, the Biogas project was started through the funds from DANIDA and DMS, Denmark. In 1995 Mr. Wolfgang Schroeder from Guetersloh, Germany bought a radio for communication to link the centre with the rest of the diocese.

Remembering Andrea Schulte. (Photo: Burkhard Krieger)
At the 20th anniversary in 2008, there were many reasons to celebrate since the centre offers so many different facilities. It can accommodate 60 people. It has a conference hall, tailoring class, carpentry, mason (brick works) and home craft. The Diocese thanked everybody who gave support und who gives support to the centre (see also in the NEWS ARCHIVE under August 2008, next page Nkwenda Youth Centre Celebrates 20 Years).
At this occasion a statue was installed for Andrea Schulte, one of the youth, who came in 1992 and supported the centre and who has already died.


Contact

Further information through Mr. Obadia Mukuta, Tel.: +255 (78) 4709183


Text: Obadia Mukuta