First years of the activity

We are pleased that our "Education Centre" started its activity in January 2008. The lessons begin at 8.00, and end at 15.00. Due to long distance, every day some children are delivered to school by an old bus. They get the basic knowledge, they learn English, re­li­gion, and so on. They also receive two meals a day: first at 10.00 - tea with rolls or biscuit and second at 13.00 - the lunch. Every month pupils are given tests to check the progress of their learning - so Franciscan missio­naries tell about their edu­cation project.

Since the primary school building is ready, now 350 pupils can attend it. The school is con­sid­ered to be one of the best primary schools in Dar es Salaam. Most of the sub­jects are taught in English, though there is a Swahili language. After the pupils finish their lessons at 15.00, those who live near go back home on foot. Those who are far are taken by bus. This trans­port is important especially for the youngest children attending school.

On 27 July 2013 arch­bishop Fran­cisco Montecillo Padilla, the apostolic nuncio to Tanzania, blessed the building of St. Maximilian secondary school. The first group of pupils could start attending the secondary school in January 2014. There are 3 profiles in the school: computer science, general and physics-chemistry.

The main aim of the Centre is to give education for many children, especially those who come from poor families. Therefore, the Con­ventual Fran­ciscan Friars requests the people of good will and the mission friends to assist financially in constructing the school. We thank God for those who are support­ing us with their prayers and material help.

Nursery schools

31 January 2011 St. Maximilian Nursery School for over 40 children has been inaugurated in Mongo­landege. That nursery school is a part of the St. Maxi­milian Education Center of Segerea, Dar es Salaam. Missio­nary Sister of the Holy Family became a head teacher of this school with the help of one of the lay teacher and assisting staff. On 4th February 2011 a solemn blessing of that school took place with the presence of the sisters, teachers, leaders of the local community.

In 2003 in colla­boration with the Caritas Antoniana of Padua there was built a nursery school in Dar es Salaam (Segerea), which was to serve for every­one, not only for Catholics. It was a very good idea. Nursery is opened from morning to evening for about 180 children of different faith, which is a practical form of ecume­nical cooperation.

In Mwanga, where in 1988 was founded a first Franciscan friary in Tanzania, also there was open a first kindergarten. It's very popular - every year about 70 children attend it. The patron of the kindergarten is St. Therese of Lisieux.

Since the children are numerous, every village wants to have its own nursery. Unfor­tunately, one of the biggest problems is the shortage of money. That's why in some poor villages there are kindergartens "in the shadow of trees".