It was a colourful day full of gratitudes and appreciations as the Divine Word Missionaries Kenya-Tanzania province marked 20 years of their presence in Tanzania. His Gracias Isaack Amani, the Archibishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Arusha led priests, religious men and women, the Friends of SVD and the congregation drawn from our 5 parishes in the archdiocese to mark the day, at Epiphany Parish, Arusha.
The Divine Word Missionaries arrived in Arusha Archdiocese from Kenya in the year 2000 and have sinse been working mainly in Arusha city as well as the remote Simanjiro district of the Maasai South plains. Until now, 35 SVD priests and brothers have worked here. Some have since been transferred to other provinces but majority are still in the province.
The Archbishop expressed hi gratitudes to the society for the unique services it renders to the faithful especially in the difficult mission of Simanjiro parishes. He noted that SVD is known for its pastoral collaboration with lay people in the running of the parishes. He encouraged the perpetuating of this style of missionary services as it helps the people to grow in faith and participate in the work of evangelization. He said that this was the clear demonstration of his motto: Moving together responsibly and collaborating in Christ.
After the Holy Mass. All the confreres who had worked in the mission were awarded with Certificates of Appreciation. Then followed a party at the Archbishop’s resident with all those present.
Many confreres joined from Nairobi and Eldoret including the Sisters of the Holy Rosary who work in our parishes in Kenya.
We thank God for these years of grace and missionary enthusiasm.
Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD
JAMBO KENTAN 
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