Outside the offices of The Good News Ministry of Bishop Charles Gadi.

It was a bright, pleasant morning, when the World Harmony Run (WHR) represented by Manatita, Gregor, Bijon and Pastor Palemo set out for the Sierra Secondary School, Mikochene. The temperature was about 30ºC but after all, we were in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

On our way to the School, Bijon, Gregor and I made our first visit of the day at the offices of Bishop Charles Gadi. The Bishop was a remarkable man who had chosen to apply his business acumen and success in the direction of service to a Pentecostal Ministry that he had himself founded. At his offices he held our Harmony Run Torch, expressed his thanks for our coming and said a few kind words about what we were doing and his Ministry. We then proceeded to the School.

Sierra Secondary School was a very beautiful school and an extremely welcoming one.

Gregor, Manatita, Mr Mikombolwe Praygod, Pastor Palemo, Director of Sports and Headmistress Rose Pascal.

The Head Teacher, Mrs Rose Pascal, was very kind and had made arrangements to meet us even though the children were in the middle of exams.

There are over 1000 children in the School, and at first we saw them in small groups before exams.

The majority of the students, however, were gathered in the School yard at 12:30pm.

We explained the WHR and interacted with them.

They seemed overjoyed to see us and enacted for us a beautiful dance, which they were inspired to put together in a very short time.

One of the teachers then gave a short speech in which he expressed the delight of the School at being chosen to participate in the WHR.

They also recognised and wished to honour Sri Chinmoy for this and other sporting initiatives.

He finally highlighted the need for international friendship and exchange between Schools to promote music, singing, poetry and art.

The programme ended with a very joyful run by some selected students, around the perimeter of the School.

Kabaroti Day Care Centre in Mwananyama had quite a different feel to the first School.

Headmaster Peter Chacha with Manatita and Pastor Palemo.

There were about 22 of the 64 children present ranging between the ages of 2 to 6 years old.

They were exceptionally cute and well behaved. They sang a welcoming song for us while clapping and cheering enthusiastically and we in turn, reciprocated by singing the World Harmony Run song for them.

The Headmaster, Peter Chacha, thanked us for our visit and the humble gifts that we offered and said that he considered us as 'Friends of Kaboroti Day Care Centre.'

Our last stop for the day was at Help Orphan Tanzania, the Orphanage associated with St. Mary's School at Tabata.

The perimeter of the School was adorned with uplifting and positive messages such as 'There is Still Hope in God' and 'Striving for Excellence'.

The Headmaster, Thomas Samson, gave a brief history of the institute in which he touched on the needs of the children.

We afterwards proceeded to the main gathering in the School gymnasium - upon the wall of which were emblazoned the words 'God is Able'. There were over five hundred children gathered for the occasion.

During the ceremony, the WHR interacted with the children who expressed 'Amani' or Peace for a few moments with their hands on their hearts.

They were a very enthusiastic group and as well as singing and clapping to a song in Kiswahili they – in unison – chanted Amani to the count of 3.. 2.. 1.. by the Head Mr Samson.

It was a very joyful and lively occasion. Bijon and one of the teachers then guided them on a run around the grounds during which the children sang and laughed and clapped and were very happy.

To conclude, we honoured the invitation of Pastor Polemo Massawe. An integral co-ordinator of WHR Tanzania, the Pastor had accompanied the team throughout the day.

There we met his wife and family who entertained us and who had prepared a most delicious meal. We were made to feel totally at home.

– Salil Wilson

Distance: 10 km

Team Members:
Manatita Hutchinson (United Kingdom), Gregor Knauer (USA), Bijon Ray-Chaudhuri (United Kingdom)