A diocesan campaign to raise enough money to provide durable, long-lasting seating in Kiteto Cathedral, is appealing to churches to donate the price of one bench.
The Dioceses of Leicester and Kiteto in Tanzania have been linked since 1982. We, as a diocese, partner with Kiteto to support the area in improving education, training pastors, planting churches and by offering financial support for emergencies arising from natural causes.
In Kiteto, the short rains usually run from October until December, when people start planting for a harvest in July after the long rains from April. But this year it didn’t stop. It was still raining heavily in January 2024, when a group visited from Leicester.
David Shepherd, link person for Kiteto Diocese and a member of the team that visited, says: “There were local flash floods and some drownings in Kiteto while we were there. A number of people lost homes and crops were washed away before they could get started.
“The diocese faced calls for help from the community. The Tanzanian government does not have the resources… and so is much more reliant on outside support.”
Earlier this year, at the service of installation for Dean Karen Rooms in Leicester Cathedral, a retiring collection was dedicated to supporting our sister diocese. A collection of £1,117.29 was generously raised, with a total of £1500 - including diocesan link funds - sent to Kiteto.
Bishop Isaiah, the Bishop of Kiteto, confirmed that the money was used for acute relief for people made homeless, and emergency food aid.
“We want to build on this relationship,” explains David. “As our Cathedral’s building works near completion, and with the scheduled arrival of Bishop Isaiah’s successor in Spring 2025, it seems appropriate to support a project to raise money to help equip Kiteto’s Cathedral with more hard-wearing and locally made benches.
At the moment, much of the seating is plastic chairs that gradually and inevitably depreciate. The Cathedral currently have six benches and are asking for 62 - at £55 each.
“It would be great if we could send the money in the new year, to get them ready by the time Bishop Isaiah’s successor is installed in Spring 2025,” says David. “Could your church contribute a bench?”
If you would like to donate, please use the following bank details:
Ref: Kiteto Benches
Sort code: 20-49-37
Account number: 90577103
Account name: Leicester Diocesan Board of Finance
The Dioceses of Leicester and Kiteto have been linked since 1982. Kiteto Diocese comprises the districts of Manyara Region, Simanjiro and Kiteto, the Masai Steppe.
Kibaya, in Kiteto, is at the heart of the diocese. The whole district is rural and populated mainly by the Masai. It is also one of the poorest and driest areas in Tanzania.