"Let's Do Something Beautiful for God"
St. Mother Teresa
Susan Carpenter was a Maryknoll Lay Missioner in Tanzania from 2014 – 2019. She loved running a small pre-school for neighborhood children—all of whom were impoverished, yet resilient and eager to learn. Some were orphaned. They were often hungry and without food at home, and the children’s families had no way to pay for the school uniform, shoes, and pencil required in a regular Tanzania school. The poorest of these children were in danger of being left without schooling and into a life of survival on the streets.
Susan’s staff was the most united and dedicated that she had ever known. Rehema was her assistant teacher; Neema, her cook/janitor. Sebastian, a night guard, became a second assistant teacher.
They led lessons in reading, writing, and arithmetic; painting, music, and games. At recess the children played soccer like stars! Rehema taught them ancient Tanzanian outdoor games and songs.
Everyone loved school so much that no matter what time was set for the beginning of the day, the children came an hour early.
In 2019, when Susan prepared to leave Tanzania, she knew that many of the children would not be able to stay in school. She and Sebastian decided to work together to help the most impoverished to continue. Susan initially sponsored just a few children, and later included older siblings from the same families. Also she added families of the staff.
Today, with the wonderful participation of American friends, they sponsor 20 young students! Susan and Sebastian make all key decisions together via weekly telephone conferences. Susan does the outreach, networking, fundraising and accounting. Sebastian visits each student and their family frequently. He also visits their schools and teachers, and provides students and families with tutoring, counseling, and medical services. And he supports the students’ participation in the life of the church or mosque which they attend. As the students grow, Sebastian finds or creates internship experiences for them to help them discover and develop their talents. Finally, when their education is complete, he helps them find employment and mentors them as they begin.
One student who had almost died of malnutrition earlier is now near the top of his secondary school class. Another, unschooled until age 11, loves his carpentry training. A third, once destitute, is now a nursing student. And the story is similar for each one.
Our student, Grace, sums it up this way, “I feel deeply grateful and honored to have the opportunity to study as a lab technician…Knowing that what I am studying will help doctors diagnose diseases and treat patients gives my studies great meaning and purpose…I promise to study hard, use my education wisely, and give back to my community in a meaningful way. Your generosity and support and have changed my life…May God bless you abundantly for your love, generosity, and belief in me.”
Would you like to join us in assisting these 20 students to build a good and dignified life? We welcome you wholeheartedly. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a tremendous difference. May God bless you.
Project Leader
Susan Carpenter was born into a Catholic family in San Francisco, California. Her life was multi-cultural from the beginning, and included a lot of volunteer work. Susan graduated in humanities from Dominican University of San Rafael and received a master’s degree in theology from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. She enjoyed a life of teaching in Bay Area Catholic schools, mostly within African-American or Latino communities. She also served as Assistant to the President at the Graduate Theological Union.
Susan has volunteered in Mexico, Central America, and Nepal, and recently enjoyed 4 1/2 years as a Maryknoll missioner in Tanzania. With her Tanzanian colleague, Sebastian Marwa, Susan created a sponsorship program for students who otherwise would suffer without the opportunity for education. The program has expanded well through the participation of generous American friends. Through the gracious invitation of Jane Oberman, this ministry is now affiliated now with The Oberman Foundation.