It is six years since Revd. Claire Lording and Kath Bills under Revd. Walter Gould’s guidance visited Maramba for the first time and this trip provided the catalyst for creating a formal link. More visits and teacher exchanges have taken place over the years culminating in a very successful trip during during June/July this year.
We now feel very comfortable with our many friends in the Maramba Deanery as they are so welcoming, very cheerful and so full of fun that there is always a relaxed atmosphere. This time we were accommodated in their own homes so we could really experience their way of life to the full. The washing facilities were a bit of a culture shock but cold bucket showers are quite refreshing in the hot humid climate.
Over the years we have been raising funds to help our friends in Maramba and to date have donated nearly £15,000. The people of Tenbury are very generous in their support and attend many enjoyable events including coffee mornings, afternoon tea, soup and puds, sponsored walks and Tanza-Near suppers. Parishes also remember the link in their missionary giving which all helps to fill the ‘pot’. At the same time gifts of old sewing machines, carpentry, metal and gardening tools are collected for dispatch to Maramba by container and recently a new tiller was sent out this way. School books and teaching materials are also very much appreciated.
During our visit we were able to witness how the funds have been spent and what use is made of the gifts. We do say how we would like the money to be spent and to our amazement they had carried out our requests to the letter. This demonstrates the tremendous trust that lies between us and the most important project so far is the building of St. Aidan’s Church in Maramba. Under the guidance of Revd. William Mbuji, the Dean of Maramba, an enormous church building has been erected over the old church which has now been demolished. To mistake it for a cathedral would not be difficult and although it is not yet finished, services take place as the work goes on. It will take another three years to complete but the parishioners have great faith and know the congregations will fill it to capacity.
A day care centre for orphans and vulnerable children between 3 and 6 years of age is another project we have supported. Originally these children had to be looked after and play in the shade of a tree. Now they will very soon be able to meet in a newly built classroom within the church complex where they can be safely looked after even in the rainy seasons.
The tools are largely being used to set up training centres for disadvantaged adolescents. Once they have gained a skill as a carpenter or perhaps an electrician they are in a strong position to earn themselves a living. Most popular are the sewing machines and we found them in use in many places. Africans seem to be very skilled in making clothes and the standard of work is very high. We were introduced to one tailor in Maramba who is able to employ several workers in his shop due to the donated machines. He even wants to open another branch so more sewing machines are needed – any offers?
We visited many parishes and found an underlying desire for new churches. Kuze now has a beautifully finished church but Kimbanda and Mtapwa are only at the foundation stage. Kizara already has a large church and the villagers are now concentrating on building a new health centre. This is being financed by our American friends from the Episcopal Church in Massachusetts and it was a pleasure to meet up with them as they were visiting at the same time.
School links have been developed between Maramba A and Lugongo primary schools within the deanery and corresponding schools in Tenbury. A party of seven teachers will be leaving in mid August to work in the African schools. This will be followed by another reciprocal visit for two teachers from Maramba made possible by a grant from the British Council.
Progress over the last six years has been phenomenal particularly as it all started from nothing. In spite of financial restraints at home the future for the link looks bright. We would like to encourage younger people to get involved but those of us who have got the ‘bug’ will make sure the link goes from strength to strength.