A commitment for Mpalapande
Three years ago, when we first started discussing this idea of building a primary school in the village of Mpalapande, our friends told us they had approached the local government officials with the idea. They said, if the church builds the building, will the government send teachers and provide administration for the school?
The answer they received was always yes.
However, as Americans, used to dotting i's and crossing t's, we asked for documentation of that agreement. We needed something in writing.
At one point, we had a letter from the local village officials. But that wasn't enough for us, we needed the Iringa regional officials to sign off on this. To be fair, this wasn't just our American caution at work, it was a move advised by our friends at the Iringa Diocese.
Turns out the local letter wasn't sufficient anyway, as the leaders who signed it were all voted out of office in the next election a few months later.
Last fall, we exchanged a series of emails with the diocese, asking after the status of the documentation of the agreement. We had what seemed like a 'chicken and egg' situation, where SOTV wanted the government's assurance before we were willing to move forward, and the government wanted an assurance from SOTV that we would build the school, before they were willing to commit to providing teachers and administration.
So it will come as no surprise that receiving a letter from Tanzanian government officials this week was a Really Big Deal.
Why is the agreement so important? The government's commitment to providing the teachers and administration is key to the sustainability of this project. SOTV can make a one time investment to construct the school, and the government will take on the ongoing operational costs.
We needed to receive this documented agreement also because we are aware of at least one similar project, begun with good will and a handshake agreement, where the school building sits empty year after year for lack of staff.
So, we are celebrating this step of the project. Bwana Yesu Asifiwe!
The letter is addressed to the General Secretary of the Iringa Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania.
The answer they received was always yes.
However, as Americans, used to dotting i's and crossing t's, we asked for documentation of that agreement. We needed something in writing.
At one point, we had a letter from the local village officials. But that wasn't enough for us, we needed the Iringa regional officials to sign off on this. To be fair, this wasn't just our American caution at work, it was a move advised by our friends at the Iringa Diocese.
Turns out the local letter wasn't sufficient anyway, as the leaders who signed it were all voted out of office in the next election a few months later.
Last fall, we exchanged a series of emails with the diocese, asking after the status of the documentation of the agreement. We had what seemed like a 'chicken and egg' situation, where SOTV wanted the government's assurance before we were willing to move forward, and the government wanted an assurance from SOTV that we would build the school, before they were willing to commit to providing teachers and administration.
So it will come as no surprise that receiving a letter from Tanzanian government officials this week was a Really Big Deal.
Why is the agreement so important? The government's commitment to providing the teachers and administration is key to the sustainability of this project. SOTV can make a one time investment to construct the school, and the government will take on the ongoing operational costs.
We needed to receive this documented agreement also because we are aware of at least one similar project, begun with good will and a handshake agreement, where the school building sits empty year after year for lack of staff.
So, we are celebrating this step of the project. Bwana Yesu Asifiwe!
The letter is addressed to the General Secretary of the Iringa Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania.
RE:
INTENTION OF LUTHERAN CHURCH OF TANZANIA, DIOCESE OF IRINGA TO ASSIST RESIDENTS
OF MPALAPANDE (TUNGALENGA) AREA BUILD A PRIMARY SCHOOL
The
above refers to your letter of 14th May 2016 in which you showed an
interest in building a primary school in the Mpalapande locality in the village
of Tungamalenga.
By
this letter, I acknowledge with pleasure your appreciation of the challenges
that our education sector faces.
This
gesture further shows how the church cares for the development and welfare of
the people in general.
In
support of this assistance, the Administrative District Council of Iringa
promises that:
1. The intended buildings will
only be used by pre-school and primary
school children
2. The government will employ the
teachers
3. The administration of the
school will be done by the government.
Once
again, my office takes this opportunity to thank you for your initiative, and
further requests that you continue this kind of assistance as it goes a long
way in development of the community.
Thanking you.
Executive Director
District of Iringa
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