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ANOTHER YEAR AT CARTHAGE COLLEGE FOR STUDENTS FROM MERU
 GRACE IS NOW IN OUR SYNOD!
Early in February, 2007 Grace Sawanja flew into Chicago on one of our below zero days. Since she left the Diocese of Meru in northern Tanzania during a record heat wave, the shock was more than most of us could imagine. Needless to say, the first stop leaving the airport was shopping for a warm winter coat, gloves and hat. Pastor Viviane Thomas-Brietfeld was not going to LET her freeze on her first night in Milwaukee. Pastor Vicki Watkins had raised the money to buy her some basic supplies for her start in a new country and a cold new climate.
To achieve this opportunity to study at Carthage College, Grace had to pass the selection process of the Diocese of Meru, submit her high school record to Carthage and pass the TOFEL test (a test for English as a second language). Once Carthage had accepted her academic credentials, then she had to obtain a passport and finally a Visa from the USA embassy in Dar. That last step required an unexpected additional 300+ mile bus trip to Dar Es Salaam to confirm that she had a return airplane flight (even though she has an initial two year Visa and the return plane trip expires after one year) and a letter to confirm support for her living expenses while in the US.
After just a couple of days at Carthage, Rev. Jim Peters (former missionary in Tanzania and current pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran in Racine) reported that she is off to a good start, in spite of some minor problems with her dorm room. Jim says she “is a lovely young woman who seems to be comfortable with speaking English.”
Grace is able to come to Wisconsin and earn a degree at Carthage because of the continuing partnership between Carthage, the Siebert Lutheran Foundation and The Greater Milwaukee Synod. Grace is the fourth student to participate in this program with the Diocese of  Meru. Three have graduated since Samson Kiware completed his studies and received his Bachelor’s degree in May, 2007. The scholarship program that continues with Grace’s arrival began nearly ten years ago when President Greg Campbell of Carthage offered a full scholarship to a Meru student every two years, if the Greater Milwaukee Synod would pay for travel, books, and incidental expenses. These costs are about $5000 a year. Thus far Siebert has contributed the costs for half of our Tanzanian students, for which we are most thankful. But since costs continue, contributions designated for the Meru Committee Carthage Scholarship Fund will continue to be important.
As Grace Sawanja becomes more familiar with the area and settles into her life as a student at Carthage, we hope she will be able to visit congregations to share her story and experience.
Neema Ndosi and Samson Kiware have both completed their studies at Carthage College. Neema Ndosi graduated in 2005 and Samson graduated in May 2007. Our first Tanzanian student from the Diocese of Meru, Melchizedeck Akyoo, graduated in 2003.
Financial support is still needed for our Meru college student program. Carthage College generously provides room, board, and tuition. While Neema’s and Grace's expenses were completely covered by a generous grant from the Siebert Foundation, funds are still needed for future students for travel expenses, books, and other living expenses. If you can help or if you would like Grace or Samson to speak at your church, contact Rev. James Peters at Emmanuel Lutheran in Racine, prpeters@emmanuelracineelca.org
Add Content...
ANOTHER YEAR AT CARTHAGE COLLEGE FOR STUDENTS FROM MERU
GRACE IS NOW IN OUR SYNOD!
Early in February, 2007 Grace Sawanja flew into Chicago on one of our below zero days. Since she left the Diocese of Meru in northern Tanzania during a record heat wave, the shock was more than most of us could imagine. Needless to say, the first stop leaving the airport was shopping for a warm winter coat, gloves and hat. Pastor Viviane Thomas-Brietfeld was not going to LET her freeze on her first night in Milwaukee. Pastor Vicki Watkins had raised the money to buy her some basic supplies for her start in a new country and a cold new climate.
To achieve this opportunity to study at Carthage College, Grace had to pass the selection process of the Diocese of Meru, submit her high school record to Carthage and pass the TOFEL test (a test for English as a second language). Once Carthage had accepted her academic credentials, then she had to obtain a passport and finally a Visa from the USA embassy in Dar. That last step required an unexpected additional 300+ mile bus trip to Dar Es Salaam to confirm that she had a return airplane flight (even though she has an initial two year Visa and the return plane trip expires after one year) and a letter to confirm support for her living expenses while in the US.
After just a couple of days at Carthage, Rev. Jim Peters (former missionary in Tanzania and current pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran in Racine) reported that she is off to a good start, in spite of some minor problems with her dorm room. Jim says she “is a lovely young woman who seems to be comfortable with speaking English.”
Grace is able to come to Wisconsin and earn a degree at Carthage because of the continuing partnership between Carthage, the Siebert Lutheran Foundation and The Greater Milwaukee Synod. Grace is the fourth student to participate in this program with the Diocese of Meru. Three have graduated since Samson Kiware completed his studies and received his Bachelor’s degree in May, 2007. The scholarship program that continues with Grace’s arrival began nearly ten years ago when President Greg Campbell of Carthage offered a full scholarship to a Meru student every two years, if the Greater Milwaukee Synod would pay for travel, books, and incidental expenses. These costs are about $5000 a year. Thus far Siebert has contributed the costs for half of our Tanzanian students, for which we are most thankful. But since costs continue, contributions designated for the Meru Committee Carthage Scholarship Fund will continue to be important.
As Grace Sawanja becomes more familiar with the area and settles into her life as a student at Carthage, we hope she will be able to visit congregations to share her story and experience.
Neema Ndosi and Samson Kiware have both completed their studies at Carthage College. Neema Ndosi graduated in 2005 and Samson graduated in May 2007. Our first Tanzanian student from the Diocese of Meru, Melchizedeck Akyoo, graduated in 2003.
Financial support is still needed for our Meru college student program. Carthage College generously provides room, board, and tuition. While Neema’s and Grace's expenses were completely covered by a generous grant from the Siebert Foundation, funds are still needed for future students for travel expenses, books, and other living expenses. If you can help or if you would like Grace or Samson to speak at your church, contact Rev. James Peters at Emmanuel Lutheran in Racine, prpeters@emmanuelracineelca.org
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