In 1986 Bishop David Hope of Wakefield and the then new Bishop of Mara, Gershom Nyaronga, proposed that the two dioceses be twinned, and on July l0th 1988 in Wakefield Cathedral the link covenant was formally signed.

Both Bishops pledged themselves to the covenant in front of Bishop Ghais Abdel Malik of Egypt representing the Anglican Communion, and they said "As the friendship of David and Jonathan in days of old bridged the deep divisions within Israel, so may our friendship build bridges across the divides of distance, of culture and of language".

Fast forwarding to the present, Wakefield Diocese now benefits enormously from this firm planting of ideals and nurturing over the past 20 years. The adopted motto of the link 'Bega kwa Bega' translated as 'Shoulder to Shoulder' has been practised and continues to do so with the many conversations, visits and joint projects by the people of both Dioceses continuing to enrich the Link.

 

Mara Tree Project

Click here to find out how to help Mara and be carbon neutral.

 

 

More than 70 parishes, colleges and schools in Mara have a lively link with parishes in the Wakefield Diocese, and 9 other parishes in Wakefield Diocese are Mara supporters.

Founded on mutual prayer, the parish links express their joy of Mara by regular correspondence and supporting projects such as building churches and sponsoring education.

Click here for a copy of the latest Mara link newsletter (pdf 384kb).

Ernest Gelder is the parish link officer of the Mara Link Committee and may be contacted for further information at Gwenden Mount, Leeds Road, Lightcliffe, Halifax HX3 8SX – 01422 202557 ernest.gelder@tesco.net

 

Mara-Wakefield 20th Anniversary - Water for Life Project

To mark the 20th anniversary of the Mara Wakefield link the MLC launched a new project. The Water for Life Project is a 5 year project run by Mara diocese in partnership with Pump Aid and Wakefield Diocese. Our aim for the first stage is to raise £15,000 to kick start the project.

Would you like to help? Click here to download a leaflet with all the necessary information. Use it! Spread the word as well as the leaflet! Contact details on the leaflet or contact Tineke Bentley on 01924 441347.

 

About Mara

The Diocese of Mara is in the north-west of Tanzania, next to the border with Kenya and the eastern side of Lake Victoria. Tanzania is about four times the size of the UK, but has only about half the population.

It is one of the ten poorest countries on earth, and consists of the mainland of the former Tanganyika and two islands, Zanzibar and Memba. Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, is in Tanzania, as is the Serengeti game reserve and the Ngorongoro Crater. The country has a coastline on the Indian Ocean.

In the past it has been colonised by Arabs, Germans and the British, but in 1961 it became independent. About half the population are Christian, a third Muslim and the remainder still hold to traditional African beliefs. Most people work on the land, growing food and keeping animals. There are few roads and these are badly affected by the seasonal rains. Sometimes, as happened in 2006, the rains fail to arrive and then real hardship is experienced. The capital of the Mara region is Musoma, where the recently rebuilt cathedral is situated.

Web links and information

The Anglican Diocese of Tanzania is a useful source of general information, and includes a specific Mara section.

Christ the King Church in Battyeford also have a special section looking at Mara.

The Mara Link Committee

All facets of the Link between Wakefield Diocese and Mara Diocese, Tanzania are operated by this committee. The Chairman is the Very Revd Jonathan Greener, Dean of Wakefield.

The Executive Officer is Mrs Peta Moffat, who came to the job of Mara Link Officer from 30 years teaching mathematics. With experience of VSO in Papua New Guinea and leading groups to Issenye Secondary School in Mara she was delighted to expand her remit to all in Wakefield and Mara Diocese, and describes her appointment as an 'icing on the cake' job.

Contact: Peta Moffat, The Rectory, Bolton Abbey, Skipton BD23 6AL.

Peta’s opposite number as Link Officer in Mara Diocese is Arthur Mauya.

Recent visits between our Dioceses

Visits from Mara to Wakefield Diocese have taken place during the past few years, and Arthur Mauya and his assistant Grace will be welcomed again in Wakefield towards the end of 2008. It is hoped that the next party of Tanzanians from Mara will be arranged for 2009.

Current information on planned visits to Mara by Wakefield Diocese may be obtained from Peta Moffat, the Mara Link Officer.

 

Resources

Both the Diocesan Resource Centres have Mara Boxes, full of artefacts, music and photographs. The Mara Link Committee can provide speakers for any occasion and any age group. Please contact the Mara Link Officer to make a booking.

 

Money and Finance

Mara Finance Report 2007
We are proud that sometimes Wakefield offers ideas and at other times Mara does. We are content that we are both in a dynamic and reciprocal relationship and appreciate the transparency shown in all accounting. Projects included this year were sponsoring education at all levels, building projects and drought relief. It is important that as many donations as possible utilise Gift Aid.

 

With acknowledgements to ‘Link Link’, a publication of the Mara Link Committee produced by Allan Dowson and Peta Moffat.