Head of Ritaliza Secondary School, Sister Mary Masway,
 
“The sisters, with Rotary’s support, further prepare the children for formal schooling and encourage residents to realise their potential, despite their circumstances.”
 
Rotary oversaw the transference of Upendo’s management to the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood in 2003, who specialise in the care of the sick. Previously, the sisters would bicycle up the long and dusty road to Upendo each week to tend to the foot and leg sores of those with leprosy. Rotary’s offer to the sisters to take up residence at Upendo was happily accepted.
 
In the years since, they have greatly improved living conditions and provision of health care services and hygiene education. The sisters, with Rotary’s support, further prepare the children for formal schooling and encourage residents to realise their potential, despite their circumstances.
 
Thankfully, leprosy rates in the area have declined in the decades
since Upendo’s establishment, with the facility instrumental in reducing incidence and spread. Today, Upendo has branched out to care for the poorest of the poor, as well as leprosy sufferers.
 
Monica is currently attending St Ritaliza Secondary School, a boarding school close to the Kenyan border.Stuart recently returned to Tanzania and was delighted to meet Monica, accompanied by Head Sister Agatha of Upendo.
 
“New Zealand Rotarians can be proud of their contribution to helping children like Monica on their way to anow bright future,” Stuart said. With the support of a group of New Zealand Rotarians, leprosy victims and their families in Tanzania are receiving the care they deserve.
 
With the support of a group of New Zealand Rotarians, leprosy victims
and their families in Tanzania are receiving the care they deserve.