MAF Tanzania has celebrated its 60th birthday with a focus on the programme’s impact in serving remote communities
The programme welcomed the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and Board of MAF International, together with other MAFI leaders, to its home in Arusha for meetings.
The 60th anniversary celebrations took place around the same time as the International Christian Medical & Dental (ICMD) conference held in Arusha in June. Coincidentally, the ICMD Association is also celebrating its 60th anniversary this year! Over 1,000 Christian medical professionals from over 100 nations attended the conference which brings together over 80 national movements of Christians in healthcare. MAF Tanzania had a stand at the conference to bring visibility to its work and to seek out new partners for MAF programmes worldwide.
MAFI Learning and Development Manager Hilda Fyock, Strategic Development Manager Varghese Philip and MAFI Africa Regional Director Bastiaan De Waal had the opportunity to visit a remote medical clinic safari.
This clinic is held at the village of Lesirwai in South Maasai Region and is run by a local team from Same Hospital, a partnering government hospital.
The clinic gives basic care to mothers and babies under a large thorny acacia tree. Vaccinations against tuberculosis, polio, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles, pneumococcal disease and rotavirus are administered, maternal check-ups for expecting mothers and advice on breast feeding, family planning and good hygiene are given. The eyes of all the children are also routinely inspected.
ELT and Board members flew with MAF Tanzania pilots Peter Griffin and Mark Liprini to the village of Malambo, where one of MAF Tanzania´s long standing partnerships continues to spread the Gospel to remote villages in the region. Elisha Moita started flying with MAF in 1985 to preach in isolated villages.
Since then, the partnership has grown through his Malambo Discipleship Training Centre, which trains local evangelists to take the Gospel to communities it has yet to be preached in. Elisha states that “Through the help of MAF, evangelism could go further and faster than ever before.”
During their visit to Malambo, the MAFI team also got the opportunity to visit another Christian NGO – Help For The Maasai, that works closely with the community in Malambo to provide evangelism, education, medical help and support through women’s groups.
Later that evening, the entire MAF Tanzania team and visiting MAFI staff and board members sat down for a meal together to celebrate the anniversary.
Special guests of honour were representatives of long-standing partners; Ruth Kambenga, who coordinates the Kilimatinde medical safari and Henry Kambenga who works for CAS, which provides MAF Tanzania´s aircraft maintenance. Clementina Dakay Burra attended to represent from Haydom Lutheran Hospital.
Clementina has worked with Haydom hospital for over 23 years and described the partnership with MAF: ”We are truly grateful for the work of MAF; connecting us to the people in need of medical services. The years we have partnered with MAF shows me the faithfulness of God working with us.”
MAFI CEO Dave Fyock said: “For us, celebrating 60 years of service here in Tanzania means that MAF has been faithful to serve generations. The topographical challenges, such as mountains and deserts, jungle and swamps continue to keep rural areas separated from the developing infrastructure.”
For us, celebrating 60 years of service here in Tanzania means that MAF has been faithful to serve generations
The celebrations drew to a close as visitors and staff joined Arusha House Church on the Sunday to bring praise, thanksgiving and all the glory to God for enabling our ministry. Fittingly, AHC meets in Maternity Africa Kivulini hospital premises in Arusha, where the services extend to bringing the Gospel to patients.
MAF Tanzania Programme Manager Stewart Ayling said: “Just over a year ago we had no permanent pilots, and only one Cessna 206 aircraft. Now, we have two permanent pilots, two Cessna 206 aircraft and a visible continuity in seeing new pilots join the program in the next years to come. All I can do is to stop and marvel God´s faithfulness to us.”