The First Missionaries in The Land of Tanzania

(Sr. Theresa Françoise Siyajua, Sr. Alexadrine Mbusa and Postulant Bernadine)

…. I remember very well when the Sisters were coming to this new Mission of East Africa and I said Mass for them on 26/08/1997, as farewell day before their departure (Fr. Messo a.a)

On the 27th August 1997 two Sisters; Theresa Françoise Siyajua, Alexadrine Mbusa and Postulant Bernadine left Congo-Butembo to new mission in Arusha-Tanzania. The Province of Congo provided them a car and driver, which took them to Kampala together with Sister Isabelle Kyakimwa and Sister Bernadette Mulisho Nyakuo who were missionary to Ivory Coast. They started the journey tirelessly because they were in safe hands of the driver well known to the Province. Sr Donatiene (was a bursar of the Province of Congo that time), decided to accompany the missionary to Tanzania but an agency activity hindered her to do so. 

Reaching Kampala, they separated with those going Ivory Coast as they took Akamba bus to Nairobi and other flew to Ivory Coast. They cross the borders of Uganda and Kenya before reaching into a new mission of Arusha-Tanzania.  They expected to reach Nairobi on 1st /September 1997 about 5am. They reached Nairobi safely and took the tax to Assumptionists Fathers, was at 7:20am. 

Without counting the cost of long journey all attended Mass which was about to start. They felt at home by a warm welcome from the Brothers. That action marked them to be accepted in East Africa. They were surprised to meet Sister Jean Leonarda Mutume (now in Mangina) and Sister Immaculeé Bahunga another group to Ivory Coast waiting for their flight via Nairobi Airport. 

In East Africa English language being in use, the Sisters had to spend some time in Nairobi to learn English. The same day in evening hours Fr Roger, Fr Claude (that time were Brothers) and Sister Jean Leonarda accompanied them to Flora hostel (under the Consolata Sisters) where they lived while attending English Course.

The difficulty of language arises and the life style of Nairobi where by everyone is busy in her/his own.