MAHANJE – Tanzania – Diócesis of Songea, today Archdiocese – Foundation date: 02-14-1978. The pioneers of the presence of the Augustinian Missionaries in Tanzania were the Sisters Presentation Gutiérrez, Pilar González and Pilar Nieto, who arrived in Mahanje, Diocese of Songea, in February 1978.
Our sisters assumed and carried out the work in the dispensary (owned by the diocese), promotion of women and different ways of helping people. The sisters also collaborated in other parish activities and especially helped the most needy.
On January 4, 1988 in Mahanje we began the educational activity in the SANTA RITA KINDERGARTEN, with capacity for 80 children. Sr. Ignacia Villacorta was the first director of this Nursery School. From the beginning until now, we also have a training program for their parents.
Later we opened an ORPHANAGE (MALAIKA) in Mahanje to take in orphaned and children at-risk. The house is designed to accommodate about fifteen children, in order to experience the most familiar environment possible. There are nine children currently.
