Three Tanzanian bishops have visited a Suffolk primary school which has raised hundreds of pounds for a new water tank for a village in the African nation.
Bishop Darlington Bendankeha of Kagera, Bishop Godfrey Mbelwe of Lweru and Bishop Vithalis Yusuph of Biharamulo met teachers and children at Worlingworth VC Primary School last week.
The three bishops had travelled to Suffolk to be part of Bishop Joanne Grenfell’s enthronement, which took place at St Edmundsbury Cathedral in January.
Since September, Worlingworth Primary School has been raising money through a host of fundraising activities – including cake sales, a walking challenge and a Christmas jumper day – after the school council chose to support the campaign.
Originally aiming for a target of £400, the school has raised nearly £1,000 with a cheque presented to Bishop Darlington on his visit.
Sophie Savage, Head of School, said: “It was a really exciting opportunity for the children to meet the bishops and to be able to make a direct link with the people of Kagera, who they had worked hard to fundraise for. They found out that, surprisingly, there are many similarities, as well as some differences, between primary schools in Kagera and their school in Worlingworth. It was a proud moment for them when they handed over the cheque for nearly £1,000. They cannot wait to see the finished water tank installed and to know that they have demonstrated all our Rainbow Values to help others in another country."
The Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich has had a relationship with the Tanzanian diocese, which is in one of the most inaccessible parts of the country, for more than 30 years.
On the Bishops’ visit to Suffolk, the Rt Revd Bendenkeha also visited St Mary’s Church in Haverhill, meeting people in the church community and serving guests at the church’s regular Family Café.
The church’s rector, Revd Max Drinkwater, said: “It was wonderful to see people enthused and excited about the bishop’s visit. People are rightly proud of their community here in Haverhill and were pleased that the Bishop wanted to experience this for himself and bring his blessing to us from the church in Tanzania.”
He also enjoyed a performance at Haverhill Arts Centre of the Centre Stage Company’s Little Red Riding Hood, and was given a guided tour of a local manufacturer’s factory.
The Bishop’s also enjoyed a traditional Tanzanian lunch at BME Suffolk Community Hub Services, which offers a food bank, community café and drop in advice and support service for individuals from a diverse background.