Mara,Tanzania. Il centro fu completato nell’anno 1980 e fu inaugurato dall’allora presidente della nazione Julius K. Nyerere, il padre della nazione. Dopo la sua inaugurazione è stata consegnata alla diocesi nel 1982. La diocesi è stata responsabile del Centro fino al 1994 e ha mantenuto lo spirito della sua missione e filosofia di dare una formazione olistica ai laici della diocesi. Tuttavia, la diocesi non poteva più gestire il centro a causa della precaria situazione di personale e di finanziamenti. Pertanto, è stato consegnato ai Clarettiani nell’anno 1994.

La costruzione della cucina e del refettorio con strutture funzionali si svolgerà presso la scuola primaria Bakhita, nella regione di Musoma, a Mara, in Tanzania. La regione di Mara è nata poco dopo l’indipendenza. Fu creata insieme a Mwanza e Kagera di quella che allora era la Provincia dei Laghi, chiamata così in onore del Lago Vittoria. Nell’area continentale è una delle regioni più piccole con 19.566 km2. Comprende il 2,2% della superficie continentale. Il numero delle donne beneficiarie direttamente sarà di 605.

Obiettivo principale: fornire un ambiente in cui studenti, insegnanti e tutto il personale possano cenare insieme, abbastanza grande da mangiare in modo sicuro e gustare un pasto sano.

Obiettivi:

1. Raccogliere le persone in un grande spazio dove possono socializzare con gli altri mentre cenano insieme nel refettorio.
   2. Sottolineare l’unità e la cooperazione degli studenti in un tempo di espansione, per creare un’intesa tra studenti, insegnanti e personale.
   3. Migliorare l’assistenza sanitaria degli studenti poiché devono andare all’ospedale più volte a causa del pericolo del cibo perché mangiano cibo sporco.
   4. Aumentare il numero di studenti che superano gli esami senza frequentare le lezioni ogni giorno.
   5. Fornire un ambiente sicuro per l’educazione dei bambini della scuola materna di Bakhita.
   6. Migliorare la qualità della vita fornendo alla comunità un’assistenza sanitaria decente e accessibile attraverso l’acquisto di attrezzature e medicinali essenziali.

Attività:
1. Costruzione di una cucina pulita e spaziosa e di un refettorio che migliorerà l’ambiente sano e pulito dei bambini che devono mangiare.
2. Intonacare l’edificio dentro e fuori
3. Pittura dell’edificio
4. Riparare gli accessori elettrici con luci a LED per ridurre il costo dell’elettricità e l’installazione di apparecchi elettrici.

LITURGY

Mk. 10:13-16

¹³And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁵Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” ¹⁶Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

Reflection:

A drop in the population of children could be an indicator to a looming extinction. More than the hope that children inspire, is the usual heavenly joy they spread around. In the text above, the Greek word that is translated to mean children is used by way of endearment. Unlike the disciples, we are invited to receive them and to further direct them to Christ. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life (cf. Jn. 14:6), and children must not be denied access to the him. It is responsibility of those in-charge of children to see to it, that children receive integral nourishment for their wholistic wellbeing. More than the imposition of hands on children which the Rabbis also did as a sign of blessing, the warmth of the embrace by the author of all blessings (Jesus Christ), must have filled the hearts of the children (and their parents) with the joy that only him can give.

With a precise reference to the children, Jesus accompanies his action with the following clear statement: to such belongs the Kingdom of God. By these words, he points to something about children that each kingdom seeker must inculcate. Thus, following Christ who opened his arms to children, we can as well receive and bless them by catering for their education, basic needs and bringing them to Christ among other ways. In fact, the Evangelist puts the pericope just after a discourse on divorce, a factor that greatly affects the growth of children. The late Lucky Dube sang about the need to take care of children “… It’s a cold winter, man! moving bare footed down in the street, man! His father is relaxing in the best bar in town asking them to fill his glass, man! His mother is kissing on another man. If you really don’t want no children, why do you have them. If you can’t care for them why…”

Intercessory Prayers:

The embrace with which Christ received children, is a radical invitation to a radical change on our perception of children. He even presents them as role models for us. Sometimes we only look at them in terms of the “future” but in fact by using them as a role model, he invites us to learn from them here and now. Let us seek his Grace to embrace this precious gift to us, the gift of children:

Leader: Lord Jesus, teach us to love and care for the children with all passion.

Response: May we never hinder them from reaching you

Leader: Lord, help us to be humble enough even to learn from the least of your children

Response: May we never hinder them to reach you

Leader: Lord Jesus, give us the grace to lead the young ones to you, by our words and actions.

Response: May we never hinder them to reach you

Leader: Lord Jesus help us to be sensitive to the needs of all children whom we come across daily.

Response: May we never hinder them to reach you

Leader: For the orphaned children, victims of war, natural catastrophes, the disabled and those forced into child labour; Lord Jesus help us to embrace and care for them in any way can.

Response: May we never hinder them to reach you

Let’s Pray

We thank you Lord God for the gift of children. We acknowledge our shortcomings in providing them the wholistic care and love they deserve. Grant us your grace to welcome them with open arms, to bless them by our words and examples and to learn from them the wisdom of the Kingdom. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.