We just completed the building project of St. Judas Thaddeus Church in the village
of Ilboru in Arusha, Tanzania. This builidng will have multiple purposes...church on Sunday, community center
and pre-school during the week. How did we begin?
In
April 2007, Chris spent time living with a Masai family volunteering her time, treasure and talent. On Easter Sunday
she attended mass in a old school room. It was there that she experienced faith like she never had before. She
was moved by these people, their joy, their love and their faith. After Mass Fr. Honoratus took her to
their land and said "This is where our church will be one day" Without hesitation...she replied
"I will help build this church"!
She arrived back in the United States 3 weeks later and scratched her head..."hmmm, how am I going
to do this? " She started small asking everyone she knew for a "A buck a brick".
The response was incredible! She kept at it and along the way she met some incredible people, whom she can honestly
say she couldn't have done this without. These people are now vital members of this organization.
In 2008 we incorporated and became a 501(c)3
organization. Two years
later on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009 St. Judas Thaddeus celebrated its opening mass! What a wonderful event it was.
The people of Ilbrou now have a beautiful building unlike any in all of Africa.
What's next? Chris fell in love with the children;
children who don't have the opportunities we have in the west. The opportunity to get a good education. A place where
books are available, teachers are accredited and a where learning is encouraged. We are advocates for eduction
and equal opporutnities. That is why we have decided to build an elementary school. Plans are underway and we
look forward to breaking ground in 2010! It is very exciting. Our co-ordinates in Tanzania are as excited as we
are!
In December 2009 we registered our NGO in Tanzania and is
now officially International.
