The Church next to the suffering people of Tanzania

In the remote corners of Iringa, the days pass quietly, filled with work in the fields, caring for the needs of poor homes and the sounds of children laughing as they play with their makeshift toys. But within this simplicity, a shadow and a fear lurk: the absence of medical care when someone falls ill.

The lack of health care infrastructure in Africa is not measured by numbers. It is measured by the stories of children and adults dying from malaria, typhoid, HIV/AIDS, and other infections that in developed countries are treated with a simple pill or a simple antibiotic. It is measured by everyday stories that are never heard, either because we are deaf or because of the voices of unaccountable development and enrichment, which are screaming in our ears. But they all take place in the same setting, in the villages of Iringa, which are transformed into places plagued by diseases.

The most tragic manifestation of the above situation is maternal and infant mortality. Women give birth to their children without clean water, without sterile instruments, without the help of a doctor or midwife. The only help is a neighbor or an elderly villager, who has simply seen childbirth before. Thus, childbirth becomes a risk at the cost of the mother’s life, when infection sets in. Then the miracle of life is accompanied by suffering and death.

In these areas, life moves in two streams. Mothers pass away at the same time they bring a new life into the world. Many children grow up orphaned from their first breath, and there is no maternal embrace to lull them.

A few years ago, Divine Providence led us to the area of ​​Sasamabo, where we built the Holy Church of St. Nicholas. After the Divine Liturgy and the established meal, the village president approached us. In his eyes, there was evident concern and sadness, which testified that an issue was concerning him. During the conversation, he revealed to us that there were about thirty orphaned children living in the village.

Expressing his pain, he told us: “When you see someone die from something that could have been prevented, you never rest. You don’t forget the eyes that are looking at you pleadingly. You don’t forget the beating of your heart, when you know you can’t do anything.” He then pleaded with us to take action to reverse this situation.

How could we possibly ignore the gaze of this suffering person who was desperately asking for help from the rest of the Church? How can we remain indifferent when mothers and children die in childbirth because they do not have access to a clinic? Every story of a mother or a child who loses their life so unjustly, simply because they live in the wrong location, is a global crime of silence.

Thus, God opened the way for yet another ministry in the land of Africa: the establishment of the St. Nicholas Polyclinic at our Mission Center in Kidamali, Iringa. In it, residents from all the villages of Iringa find refuge in care and comfort, which they have been deprived of for centuries.

With your continued support, we offer free health and pharmaceutical care services to the indigenous people. In the clinic operate a general practitioner’s office and a fully equipped microbiology laboratory, which allows us to diagnose various diseases early and treat them in the best possible way. Your monthly contribution purchases medicines and medical supplies, covers the salaries of the medical and nursing staff and ensures the smooth operation of the clinic.

The love and care you show for the suffering person was not limited to these. You immediately responded to our request for the equipment of the newly established pediatric and gynecological clinic.

The competent committee of the Ministry of Health of Tanzania, after an inspection conducted a few days ago, granted the required certifications and approval to operate. After the recruitment of new staff, which is in progress, the clinic will be able to offer prenatal check-ups to pregnant women and fetuses, gynecological check-ups as well as pediatric care to our little heroes of life.

The satisfaction of the committee members with the quality of the infrastructure and medical equipment was evident. They encouraged us to proceed, God willing, with the establishment of the maternity clinic, in new buildings on the existing site. The implementation of the project will be a decisive step in our effort to reduce maternal and infant mortality in the region. The new Maternity Clinic will offer every new mother in the region the respect and dignity she deserves, as she will bring a new child into the world in conditions that do not pose a risk to their lives.

Your support for the pastoral and charitable work of our Diocese extends beyond the health sector. Recently, your charitable Association, that is, the Orthodox Missionary Fraternity of Thessaloniki, offered another borehole to our region, specifically to the village of Kiuele, in front of the Holy Church of Saints Eulampius and Eulampia. All these years, the navigable river that springs from the drops of your love, quenches the thirst of thousands of thirsty lips. This work is exclusively God’s and yours.

God wants us to show mercy with any means we have at our disposal: to serve the sick, the helpless, the unfortunate, the hungry and the thirsty. Almsgiving is done in many ways. The Holy Apostles Paul and Barnabas took the alms of Christians from Greece and took it to the widows and orphans of Jerusalem. Following the example of the Saints, you too support the work of evangelizing the nations by helping Orthodox missions throughout the world. You show mercy and we pass it on. We are couriers of the love of all of you who do not forget your neighbor.

My brothers, we congratulate you and thank you for your continued support. As Christians, we are called to constantly bear the pain of our brothers. God did not instruct us to look at the suffering person from afar, nor to pass by him. Let us constantly be inspired by the Good Samaritan of the Gospel Parable, who took pity on the injured man, treated his wounds and cared for him. May these underprivileged people be constantly in our prayers and concerns, asking God to send them patience, relief and healing

We are grateful for all that you have offered so far to the people of God in this corner of Africa. We pray that God will grant you his mercies abundantly and direct your life to every good work.

† Bishop Agathonikos of Arusha