As Mothers’ Union members we have concern and pray for our fellow members around the world. But we particularly relate to our “family” members, those who live in seven dioceses in Africa and Australia.

Wakefield’s worldwide officer (Marlene Bramley) maintains regular contact with contacts in these other dioceses, some branches have individual links with a branch, and some members correspond with individual members in these dioceses.

Adelaide (Australia)

Adelaide is a large administrative and education centre, and is the main location for defence industries in Australia. It is also the Australian base for General Motors.

 

North Karamoja

North Karamoja Diocese is in the North East of Uganda. It is mainly a rural area, with most of the population growing food for their own consumption.  Cassava is the staple crop, and new developments include growing sunflowers, as they provide a range of uses it can be put to. 

The Diocesan President is Esther Aleper.

 

Kumi

Kumi is also in Uganda. It has a population of over 250,000 and is in an area of subsistence farming. Ground nuts were grown as a cash crop but yields have fallen due to pest problems. Their Diocesan President is Phyllis Ongole.

 

Soroti

Soroti is in Eastern Uganda, situated over 2500 feet above sea level. It has a population of over 300,000. Most families grow food for their own consumption, though there is some production of mangoes and potatoes for export.

The area has suffered very badly from the activities of armed rebel groups. They steal food and the oxen needed for ploughing and other agricultural work, and abduct children. There are many refugees in camps in northern Soroti.

 

 

The Mothers’ Union Wakefield Diocese has equipped a hostel at the Girl's High School in Soroti City. It was formally opened by the World Wide President of the Mother's Union, Trish Heywood, when she visited the area in July 2005. As a result, teen-age girls from the surrounding area are able to live in the city during the week, thereby continuing their education.

The Diocesan President is Florence Erwan, and The Mothers’ Union worker is Freda Ocen.

 

Tamale

Tamale Diocese covers an area of the Northern Region of Ghana, around the regional capital. The city has a population of over 150,000. Local industry includes shea-nut processing and the production of baskets and other handicraft. Agricultural activities include cattle raising, cotton growing and cocoa growing.

The Diocesan President is Rita Ayeebo, and The Mothers’ Union worker is Augustina Naaso.

 

The Murray

This Diocese is in the South East region of South Australia, mainly a rural area but covers the southern suburbs of Adelaide. There are 25 Parishes in the Diocese. The Diocese of The Murray takes its name from the Murray River, Australia's most important River, which flows through the Diocese before reaching the sea.

The Diocesan President is Cheryl Bainton.

 

Willochra

This Diocese covers almost the whole of South Australia, apart from the South East corner and the Adelaide conurbation. It has four cities – Port Pirie (where there is ore smelting), Port Lincoln (a large fishing port), Port Augusta (with a power station) and Whyalla (with a steel works) but elsewhere the population is widely scattered among tiny agricultural communities. In the far north, there are very few residents, except in the mining centres, but many cattle and sheep. In the Eyre Peninsula and the Yorke Peninsula cereal crops, including malting barley, are grown, and in the Clare Valley there are extensive vineyards.

The Diocesan President is Jane Tanner.