The Bridges Ministry of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption in Lancaster, Ohio, has made a new $30,000 donation to support the Sisters of Notre Dame in Simanjiro, Tanzania. This latest gift brings total contributions coordinated through Bridges to $130,000 since 2023 — support that comes not only from parishioners, but from donors across the wider community who have embraced the ministry’s mission. The partnership strengthens the Osotwa Boarding School, which serves children from remote Maasai communities.
“Our faith is not only something we believe — it’s something we put into action,” said Monsignor Craig Eilerman. “Jesus gave us marching orders to bring the Good News to the whole world, and supporting this school in Tanzania is one concrete way our parish is living that mission.”
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A Mission That Began Under the Trees
The Sisters of Notre Dame first arrived in Tanzania in 1992 and expanded into the Simanjiro area in 2008 at the urging of a local priest, Fr. Karduni. When Sisters Roshimi and Margaret first visited Loiborsiret, they found children eager to learn but with no school available. They began teaching outdoors, gathering students wherever they could.
Local Maasai leaders soon donated land, and by 2009 the community had built a small mud classroom. The mission grew steadily and was formally recognized in 2012.
A School That Has Grown Against the Odds
Today, Osotwa Boarding School serves more than 300 students and operates on over 60 acres of land. The school has developed agricultural fields, livestock, solar power, and its own water supply — a level of self‑sufficiency rare in the region.
Much of this progress has been driven by the Sisters’ faith, dedication, and daily work, supported by partnerships with donors, including the Bridges Ministry. Contributions coordinated through Bridges have funded major projects such as a water well, a boys’ dormitory, and a nursery school in Arusha.
Why Boarding Matters for Maasai Students
For many Maasai children, boarding is essential to academic success. Homes often lack electricity, space for study, or secure storage for school materials. Long travel distances and family responsibilities can make daily attendance difficult.
“Boarding gives these students stability,” said Bridges Ministry member Paul Sullivan. “It’s the difference between attending school occasionally and truly being able to learn.”
Meeting the Next Urgent Need
The boys’ dormitory at Osotwa is now complete, though not yet fully funded. The new donation will help close that gap. But the Sisters have identified another pressing challenge: the girls’ dormitory is now too small to meet demand. Many girls are sleeping in a classroom, and the school cannot accept additional female students until a new dormitory is built.
“Our hope is to continue walking with the Sisters as they take the next step,” Sullivan said. “Every improvement at Osotwa directly changes the future for these children.”
A Local Community Making a Global Impact
The Bridges Ministry describes its mission as connecting “hearts, resources, and hope” across cultures and continents. Parish leaders say the partnership with the Sisters of Notre Dame has become a vivid example of that vision.
“This is what it means to be part of a global Church,” Monsignor Eilerman said. “Our community here in Lancaster is helping children halfway around the world build a future filled with dignity and opportunity.”
To learn more, visit stmarybridgesministry.org.