At our most recent Bridges Ministry meeting, the team, together with Monsignor Craig R. Eilerman, voted unanimously to send $30,000 to the Sisters of Notre Dame in Simanjiro, Tanzania, continuing our parish’s growing partnership with their mission at the Osotwa Boarding School. This gift strengthens a relationship that continues to bear extraordinary fruit among the Maasai communities of the Simanjiro region.
A Mission Rooted in Courage, Hope, and Human Dignity
The Sisters of Notre Dame first arrived in Tanzania in 1992, establishing their initial presence in Arusha. Between 2000 and 2005, they built a convent, boarding facility, and school — a foundation that would later make possible their expansion into the remote Maasai lands of Simanjiro.
In 2008, a diocesan priest, Fr. Karduni, originally from the Simanjiro area, urged the Sisters to consider founding a school in Loiborsiret, a region where educational opportunities were scarce and the need was great. Responding with their characteristic courage and trust in God’s providence, Sister Roshimi and Sister Margaret traveled to the area and immediately recognized the deep hunger for education among Maasai children.
They began teaching under the trees, staying with a local family, and gathering children wherever they could. That same year, Fr. Karduni persuaded Maasai leaders to donate land for a future school. In 2009, the local community built a mud shelter to serve as the first classroom. Teaching continued faithfully, and in 2012, the mission was officially recognized as part of the Sisters of Notre Dame’s work.
Growth Against All Odds (2008 – 2025)
From those humble beginnings, Osotwa Boarding School has grown into a thriving educational community:
- Over 300 students
- A large agricultural area
- Solar power
- Livestock
- More than 60 acres of land
- Full self‑sufficiency in water, power, and food
This growth is nothing short of remarkable given the challenges of the region. Many donors have contributed over the years, but the singular driving force behind the school’s success has been the tireless, sacrificial work of the Sisters of Notre Dame.
Their partnership with the Maasai community has transformed lives. Teaching ensures that children learn Swahili and English, even though many arrive speaking only a local Maasai dialect. The Sisters accompany families, support cultural preservation, and help young people build a future rooted in dignity and opportunity.
Bridges Ministry’s Growing Commitment
Since 2023, the Bridges Ministry has become the primary donor for several major projects at Osotwa — including the water well, the boys’ dormitory, and a Nursery School in Arusha.
With this most recent $30,000 gift, our parish community has now contributed $130,000 in direct support of the Sisters’ mission. This generosity has provided essential infrastructure, expanded boarding capacity, and strengthened the long‑term stability of the school.
Why Boarding Students Matters
For Maasai children, the ability to board at the school is often the determining factor in whether they can succeed academically.
Most Maasai homes have no space for study or storage of school materials.
Electricity is extremely limited; only a few families have small solar cells for modest lighting.
Students who cannot board often have irregular attendance due to long travel distances and family responsibilities.
Boarding provides stability, safety, and the consistent environment necessary for long‑term educational success. Dormitory space directly determines how many children can receive this opportunity.
The Girls’ Dormitory: A Space That No Longer Fits Their Needs
Completing the Boys’ Dormitory — and the Need Ahead
The boys’ dormitory is now complete, but not yet fully funded. This building has already allowed more boys to board safely and reliably, and fully funding its construction is the first priority of this year’s gift.
Yet the need continues.
The girls’ dormitory is now critically undersized. Many girls are currently sleeping in one of the classrooms, and the school cannot accept additional girls for boarding until a dedicated dormitory is built. The Sisters have made clear that this is their next urgent need — and our Bridges Ministry team expressed a strong desire to continue walking with them toward this goal.
A Parish Community That Builds Bridges
Every prayer, every donation, every conversation about this mission has helped make this moment possible. The generosity of our parish family is shaping the daily lives of children halfway across the world — children who will grow into leaders, teachers, parents, and disciples.
This is what Bridges Ministry exists to do:
to connect hearts, resources, and hope across continents, cultures, and communities.
As the Sisters of Notre Dame continue their work in Simanjiro, we remain committed to walking beside them — supporting the Osotwa Boarding School, strengthening the Maasai community, and helping build a future where every child has a place to learn, to grow, and to belong.
