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Can.
Rev. Emmanuel Chamlomo February 9, 2005 We take pleasure in requesting support for improving the Theological Education by Extension services and facilities which will enable the program to run distance-learning and short-term contextual theological training that prepares both clergy and laity with the theological knowledge to lead and serve churches in their communities. The TEE program is seeking funds of Tsh. 184,273,926/= payable over three years. The first year will be Tsh. 53,671,526/= for capital and operation costs. The second year will be Tsh. 51,744,000/= for capital and operation costs (office and staff quarters). The third year will be Tsh. 28,858,400/= mainly for operations, and a little capital and program evaluation costs. The Diocese of Kondoa is committed to evangelize the people living in Kondoa. The area of Kondoa is one of the predominantly Muslim areas in Tanzania. The goal is for people to be reached for Christ, to be built up in their faith, for new churches to be started teaching Christian values emphasizing their culture and for the society to be transformed. The Diocese operates in the administrative area of Kondoa district in the Dodoma region. The district of Kondoa is divided into 8 divisions, 35 wards and 175 villages. The population is 429,824 people (according to the 2002 National Census). The area of Kondoa is a total of 13,210 sq. km. The District is comprised of various ethnic groups by the Warangi are the majority people group. Other ethnic groups are the Waburunge, Wasandawe, Waasi, Wairaq, Masai, Barbaig and Wagogo. The majority of people are basically relying on agriculture and livestock production. The Diocese was officially started on the 7th of October 2001 when the local Christians needed peer pastoral care, to be built up in their faith and the non-Christians needed to be reached for Christ. The fist diocesan Bishop is the Rt. Rev. Yohana Mkavu, who is assisted by 31 serving ministers, 90 catechists and a great number of church elders. The Diocese is divided into 6 deaneries: Kondoa Town, Bereko, Kwa Mtoro, Makorongo, Mwalange and Chemba. There are 26 parishes, 90 congregations and 10,989 baptized Christians in the Anglican Church of Tanzania. Along with that there are Christians who belong to other denominations such as Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Full Gospel, PAG, TAG, and EAGT, which all work in the same area. Statistically, the vast majority of the population is Muslim and only about 5% are Christians (half of which are Anglican). It is interesting to note that while there are 164 Mosques for 315,000 Muslims, the 21,500 Christians of various denominations comprise 256 congregations. Also, there are about 93,333 animists and ancestor worshipers, who follow traditional religious practices. Great honors are paid to ancestors and many rituals are practiced at a person’s death. The dead engender much respect, fear and superstition. The TEE program is under the Christian Education Department and was started in 2003 to train and equip both the clergy and laity with theological knowledge to lead and serve churches in their villages. Currently, the TEE program has one Diocesan Program Coordinator and 80 students who are learning by distance at their local churches. This will produce adequately theological trained leaders and other church workers who will comply with the needs of church growth in this population in which the majority are Muslims. The importance of the TEE program is that it is to enable the clergy and the laity to be trained and equipped in their context and at very cheap learning costs. Thus many people have applied to join in the training, but the program is still not strong enough to accept them all. Therefore we need support to improve facilities and services so that we may have as many students as possible to comply with the church growth need. The TEE program believes that the long-term and permanent solution is to have adequately qualified staff, material resources and continuing support services. We are greatly encouraged that with your sincere prayers and practical support along with other kind friends we shall be able to get all the necessary needs for improving the TEE program. The total cost is Tsh. 134 million. For any kind giving towards the TEE program, please find our bank details below: Diocesan Bank Account Details: National Microfinance Bank Kondoa Branch – Tanzania Account name – ETE (TEE in English) Account number 6813000511 Therefore, we shall be more thankful for the success of our request to be considered at your discretion. We expect to hear from you at your earliest convenience. We are looking forward to working in partnership with you. Yours faithfully, Bishop Yohana Zakaria Mkavu Rev. Canon Emmanuel Chamlomo Diocese of Kondoa Diocesan TEE Coordinator P.O. Box 7 Kondoa, Tanzania Email: act-konoda@maf.or.tz
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