A visit marked by fellowship and compassion: Mr Stuart Batty, Past District Governor of Rotary, member of the Rotary Club of Papanui in New Zealand and Honorary Consul for Tanzania in New Zealand (second right), pictured with fellow Rotarians
Geoff Mathis (left) and Dr Kantilal Kanji (right) during their recent visit to Arusha.Joining them is Sister Constancia Milingi (second left) of the Upendo Rehabilitation Centre for Victims of Leprosy.
BY CHRISTINE DACHS
What began as a simple request for a “wish list” more than 25 years ago has grown into an enduring bridge of friendship, generosity and service between New Zealand and Tanzania.
At the centre of that remarkable connection is Mr Stuart Batty, a Past District Governor (PDG) of Rotary, a member of the Rotary Club of Papanui in New Zealand and Honorary Consul for Tanzania in New Zealand.
Mr Batty’s relationship with Tanzania dates back to 1999, when he reached out to Ms Faye Cran, affectionately known as Mama Kuku, and asked what Rotary New Zealand, together with the New Zealand Government, could do to support communities in Northern Tanzania.
That conversation sparked the first of many projects.
The initial undertaking was at the Upendo Leprosy Home where Rotary supported the construction of a second accommodation block and the installation of solar panels.
It proved to be only the beginning of a partnership that would span decades, bringing together Rotary Clubs in New Zealand, the New Zealand Government and the Rotary Club of Arusha, later joined by the Rotary Club of Moshi.
One of the partnership’s major milestones came in 2005, when funding was provided for the Women’s Market in Tengeru, a project that was officially opened by the then President Benjamin Mkapa.
