Sister Maria – Iringa (Tanzania)
PROJECT 42 of 72
MISSION
Location
Diocese
Iringa
Country
Tanzania
Continent
Africa
GPS coordinates
-7.75324 35.79317
Time zone
UTC+3
CONGREGATION
Motherhouse
Agrigento
Diocese
Agrigento
Country
Italy
Continent
Europe
Congregation Feast Day
8 December
GPS coordinates
37.30879 13.58575
Time zone
UTC+1
Contact person
Sister Maria
Mother General
Sister Marianna Ferri
TRAINING ORGANISATION
Location
Valledolmo (PA)
Country
Italy
Continent
Europe
GPS coordinates
37.74704 13.82603
Time zone
UTC+1
Start date
10/10/2023
End date
30/08/2021
Tutor
Concetta Calabrese
REAL SPACE
Project manager
Sister Maria
Start date
24 September 2024
Type
Cattle farming
Once she returned to Tanzania, spazio + spadoni supported the purchase of cows for the social enterprise project agreed with Sister Maria, Mother Marianna and Father Saverio, who assists the Congregation. Unfortunately, after a few months, several cows died, certainly not from natural causes; the veterinarian suspected poisoning. The project is being assessed to determine together whether and how to reinvest.
Sister Maria arrived at Misericordia di Valledolmo on 10 October 2023 and was joyfully welcomed by all the volunteers, especially the young people who accompanied her in the daily services. During her time in Valledolmo, Sister Maria had the opportunity to visit several farms and dairies where she learned livestock-rearing and milk-processing techniques for making cheese.
Timeline
2022
26.10 | Start of relationship with the Congregation
spazio + spadoni meets the Mother in Rome and begins its relationship with the Congregazione delle Suore Discepole del Redentore
2023
10.10 | Sister’s arrival
Sister Maria, accompanied by Don Saverio, arrives in the Valledolmo community and is welcomed by the Misericordia and Luigi Spadoni
17.10 | Training
Sister Maria, together with the volunteers of Misericordia di Valledolmo, learns some typical local recipes
22.10 | Training
Sister Maria receives training at a dairy
16.11 | Training
Sister Maria visits two women’s associations
18.11 | Training
In the morning, Sister Maria takes part in the food collection with Misericordia di Valledolmo. In the afternoon, she goes to Marcatobianco to attend Mass celebrated by the Cardinal of Palermo, Corrado Lorefice
17.12 | 40' Anniversary of the Congregation’s Foundation
Celebrations in honour of the 40' anniversary of the foundation of the Congregation "Discepole del Redentore nella Comunità Cristiani nel Mondo"
2024
12.02 | Farewell to the sister
The Valledolmo community, in the presence of the civil authorities and spazio + spadoni, bids farewell to Sister Maria as she prepares to return to Tanzania
24.09 | First funding disbursed
The funding is intended for the purchase of cows.
2025
23.01 | Technical visit by spazio + spadoni
Stefano, spazio + spadoni’s linker for Tanzania, visits Sister Maria’s community
16.07 | Technical visit by spazio + spadoni
Stefano, the linker for Tanzania, goes to Sister Maria’s community to meet her and Father Saverio, who is also visiting the community, and to discuss the project together
Project evaluations
All evaluations
- 3 October 2023
Submission of the project and cost estimate. The sisters intend to establish a cattle farm. - 26 January 2024
The next steps for Sister Maria’s return to Tanzania are discussed at a meeting attended by spazio + spadoni, the Misericordia di Valledolmo, Sister Maria, Mother Marianna and Father Saverio. - 13 February 2024
Project evaluation. - 28 January 2025
Submission of the business plan. - 13 February 2025
Project evaluation.
Photos and videos
