Kijenge Catholic builds dispensary in Kiserian village

RC Babu, Bishop Lebulu to lead Harambee at Muungano outstation

by Valentine Mark Nkwame

The Saint Peter and Paul Kijenge Catholic Parish is in the process of constructing a medical dispensary at the Kiserian village, in the Mlangarini ward of Moshono location in Arumeru district.

This project, which started in March this year, will cost about Tsh.30 million by the time it gets completed early next year.

Kijenge Catholic Parish priest, Father Jean Marie Chuvi said already the dispensary has reached its halfway mark which so far has cost over Tsh. 9 million.

This Sunday, the 24^th of August, the parish will be conducting a special fundraising at its Muungano outstation church, to raise money for the dispensary project.

The Arusha Catholic Sovereign, Archbishop Josaphat Louis Lebulu, will lead the Pontifical mass at Kiserian village church, before handing over the Harambee session to the guest of honour, Mohamed Babu, the Regional Commissioner for Arusha.

The dispensary project is a result of problems that the over 8,000 residents of Mlangarini ward have been facing due to lack of medical facilities in their community.

Residents in the area, have for many years been forced to walk over 20 kilometres to the nearest facility, Mount Meru Regional hospital.

"Most patients have been dying on their way to hospital," says Loisulie Varsangi Mollel, the village executive officer of Bwawani village in the ward.

Apparently, there isn’t any form of transport that connects the remote area to the town of Arusha.

"There used to be public vehicles operating in the area but that was many years ago," said Mollel. "Nowadays the road is in pathetic condition and no passenger vehicle ventures to the area."

Arusha Times discovered that, there are only two cars in the village, but their owners hire them out at Tsh.40,000 per trip to town, an amount that few people can afford.

Former AICC director and veteran journalist, Sam Mdee and the Uhuru primary school head teacher, Florah Kulwa head the dispensary project committee.

Kijenge Catholic brethren, have so far contributed Tsh.1.5 million towards the project, while the residents of Mlangarini gave out the five acre land worth Tsh.25 million, on which the dispensary stands. 

Last modified: August 22, 2003.
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