Bicentenary coincides with 25 years of Marist presence in Tanzania

Marists in Tanzania gathered in Masonga to celebrate both the bicentenary and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Marist presence in the country.

In a Mass held on Aug. 15, students, teachers, Brothers and friends recalled the first arrival of the Brothers in 1992.

“As we look back, we see with gratitude the whole journey, full of blessings and graces, with many signs of solidarity and cooperation,” affirmed one of the Brothers in a written statement to the general house press office.

“Our mission has been blessed with the participation of volunteers who have helped strengthen what we now have,” he added. “They come from different countries in Europe and Latin America and are following with interest the development of this important work of the Church.”

Brothers Francisco (“Kiko”) Baeza, Juan Velasco and Teodoro Grageda arrived to Masonga, Tanzania, from Guadalajara, México, on June 6, feast of Saint Marcellin Champagnat.

Upon arriving to Masonga, just 10km south of the border with Kenya and at the eastern shore of Lake Victoria, the Brothers began organising a secondary school which they opened in 1993.

They opened a second community in 1999 in Mwanza after establishing a formation house for postulants, who arrived from across the Marist province of East Central Africa – Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania.

They then finally opened a high school in 2013 to help prepare youth for university.

In the picture, Brothers Kiko, Juan and Teo when they left Mexico for Tanzania.

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There are seven Brothers in Tanzania located in two communities and manage two schools.

In Masonga, they run a secondary school where they are present, and a small school for deaf children with 25 students.