A Basin Filled with Plenty of Rice

By Adeladius Makwega – Mbagala

This was the morning of March 31, 2026, the last day of the month. Mwanakwetu received the following message:

“Today we are at St. Justine Center for People with Disabilities, Makoko, Musoma in Mara Region…”

After receiving the message, Mwanakwetu asked where the center was located. Gideoni Musa Chilongani, the Transport Officer at the Mara Regional Commissioner’s Office, said he did not know. No answer was immediately available, but Chilongani called Ms. Neema Ibamba, the Regional Community Development Officer. She gave clear directions, and Mwanakwetu eventually reached the location, where two staff members from the Prime Minister’s Office were conducting practical training on how to properly enter data for people with special needs.

“We arrived at the institution’s buildings and were welcomed by Sister Regina Linda, who was overseeing the serving of a large amount of food into a big basin. Meanwhile, several girls were sewing clothes. Mwanakwetu wondered: why are there so few people here, yet so much food has been prepared? Why would my fellow brothers and sisters make such a mistake with food? No one heard this inner question. Then Sister Regina Linda welcomed Mwanakwetu and directed me to where the staff from the Prime Minister’s Office in Dodoma were.”

Mwanakwetu was then welcomed into a large hall with several chairs. Registration of people with special needs was taking place—forms were being filled out on paper and in a computer system, photos were taken and uploaded into the system.

“What is being done here is entering data into our system for each individual with special needs. Today’s activity is practical work following earlier theoretical training.”

This was said by Josephy Humphrey, an ICT Officer from the Prime Minister’s Office.

“Indeed, Social Welfare Officers from all district councils in Mara Region are progressing well with this training. They have performed the practical data entry effectively, just as taught. Personally, I commend them.”

This was said by Bruno Mwakibibi, a Social Welfare Officer from the Prime Minister’s Office.

“I now understand this work, and I am confident that when I return to Musoma District Council, I will perform it well and achieve my set goals on time.”

This was said by Elia Yahya Mshuza, a Social Welfare Officer from Musoma District Council.

On his part, Nuhu Agustino, a Social Welfare Officer from Musoma Municipality, said the training had greatly enlightened him and would simplify data collection, helping people with special needs to be reached and assisted more quickly.

Kabeba Charles Naiga also noted that the system has made the work easier and no longer difficult for her.

After this tour, Mwanakwetu returned to Sister Regina Linda and toured the center with her. The center is owned by Catholic nuns of the Immaculate Sisters of Africa, headquartered in the Catholic Diocese of Musoma.

Many activities were taking place there, including nutrition training and other tasks. People with special needs were seen actively engaged in their activities.

“We have a challenge with dormitories—we need a larger one. The building currently used as a dormitory is actually the dining hall. With God’s help, if we get more support, we will build a proper dormitory for them.”

At this point, Mwanakwetu realized that the large amount of food Sister Regina Linda was serving was actually meant for the students with special needs at the center. Unfortunately, Mwanakwetu was not invited to eat—perhaps it wasn’t in the budget.

As Mwanakwetu left, he found himself yawning after seeing that basin full of rice. Certainly, next time, if he is fortunate to visit St. Justine Center again, he will go prepared to eat together with the students being cared for at this Catholic center in the Musoma Diocese.

What does Mwanakwetu say today?

He has witnessed that the training for Social Welfare Officers was conducted effectively and skillfully. However, the key point is not just storing data in systems, but ensuring that people with special needs actually receive the support they need—including education on how to manage their own lives.

Secondly, Mwanakwetu noted the urgent need for a dormitory at St. Justine Center. Anyone with goodwill who feels called to support people with special needs and this institution can contact the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Musoma.