By the grace of God, another significant project of the Holy Metropolis of Arusha has been completed in the field of education. This involves the creation of a teachers’ lounge at the Junior High School of the village of Imbogo, a project carried out under the care and paternal concern of His Eminence Metropolitan Agathonikos of Arusha, with the generous funding from the Brotherhood of Orthodox External Mission of Thessaloniki.
This project is part of the multifaceted activities of the Holy Metropolis of Arusha in the field of education, demonstrating in practice the Orthodox Church’s interest in supporting teachers and improving teaching conditions in schools.
The inauguration ceremony of the teachers’ lounge took place in an atmosphere of joy and thill, coinciding with the blessing for the new school year. The students of the school welcomed His Eminence with special honor, singing and forming a procession, holding small branches in their hands, expressing their love and joy for the presence of their spiritual father, who constantly stands by them.
Teachers, village residents, and the community president participated in the ceremony. During the event, both the village president and the school principal expressed their warm thanks to Metropolitan Agathonikos. The principal emphasized that the school is supported exclusively by the Orthodox Church and that there is an unbreakable bond between the school community and the Holy Metropolis, which has funded other renovation and equipment projects for the school in the past. He also mentioned the needs that still exist, highlighting the necessity of installing windows and desks in the first-grade classroom, which to date lacks basic infrastructure.
His Eminence Metropolitan Agathonikos of Arusha offered paternal and encouraging advice to the children, emphasizing the great value of education in their lives and urging them to love learning as a precious gift from God. He underscored that knowledge, when accompanied by faith, integrity, and love, becomes a force that transforms both the individual and society. He wished everyone a good and blessed school year, with health, progress, and enlightenment. Addressing the teachers, he thanked them for their work and dedication, recognizing the challenges they face daily, and encouraged them to continue with patience, love, and commitment to their vocation.
During the visit, food was also provided to support the meals served to the children. Specifically, sacks of beans, corn, and flour, as well as oil, were delivered to the school, while the children were especially delighted with the donation of chocolate and traditional sweets called “mandazi,” reminiscent of loukoumades. These provisions will significantly contribute to feeding the students, many of whom receive their only complete meal at school. This donation comes from Mrs. Magdalini, in memory of Georgios, and Mr. Timoleon Kosmidis, in memory of Theodoros, whom the local Church commemorates with gratitude.
The creation of the teachers’ lounge at Imbogo Primary School is yet another vivid example of the steadfast and ongoing support of the Holy Metropolis of Arusha for the schools under its jurisdiction. Within the framework of its missionary activity, the Metropolis systematically invests in education, recognizing that educating children and enhancing teaching conditions are the foundation for a better and hopeful future. Through collaboration with brothers and organizations supporting the work of external missions, the Church continues to provide not only spiritual guidance but also essential material assistance, demonstrating in practice that it stands beside people, especially where needs are great. We pray that God blesses every such effort, for the benefit of the children, the teachers, and the entire local community.
