TRANSPORTATION NEEDS
In northwestern Tanzania, clergy face significant transportation challenges that hinder their pastoral duties and outreach efforts. The region's rugged terrain, coupled with inadequate infrastructure, makes travel arduous and time-consuming. Many roads are unpaved and become nearly impassable during the rainy season, isolating remote communities. Limited access to reliable vehicles further exacerbates the situation, forcing clergy to rely on bicycles, motorcycles, or walking long distances to reach their congregations. These difficulties not only strain the physical and emotional well-being of the clergy but also impede their ability to provide consistent spiritual support and essential services to their parishioners.
A Church parish may have one main parish Church and three to six subsidiary Churches all scattered in long distances. Without reliable transport the Pastor may find himself unable to visit some of the congregations regularly.
OUR RESPONSE
The Diocese aims to provide motorcycles to the Clergy and bicycles to the Evangelists to ensure that ministry can reach all parts of the Diocese.
PROVISION OF MOTORCYCLES TO CLERGY
So far 12 Clergy have already been provided with a motorcycle, and a fund is being raised for many more.
Rev. Stanley Gordian Rwamgila, with 8 remote village churches, has benefited from a motorcycle. He can now spend more time with his family as he had to stay 2-3 days in a Church area in order to fulfill the needed services.
The ministry was very risky as the road to the Churches often went through uninhabited areas, having armed robbers. Walking or cycling long distances also impacted his health.
Now with a motorcycle, he can conduct services to more than one Church on a single day. It has also aided his mission and evangelistic activities. In one year, he was able to establish five new congregations.
PROVISION OF BICYCLES TO EVANGELISTS
70 bicycles have been provided to Evangelists across the Diocese
Ev. Oscar Kamugisha Telenga who never owned a personal bicycle before, used to cover 20 km on foot one way, and another 20 km on return from the Churches he was serving. When he got too tired to walk, from his own pocket, he would hire a motorcycle.and find the one that speaks to your heart.