In the Konde Diocese the church serves not only the spiritual needs of its members but is also heavily involved in other important parts of people’s lives. Medical care is one of those areas. Since there are no public hospitals in the Konde Diocese people depend on church-sponsored hospitals and clinics. Our synod is currently working to support the ministry of Itete Hospital and Matema Clinic.

The Konde Diocese Medical Needs Task Force currently has three major goals:

1. To establish good communication;
2. To raise money in the Lower Susquehanna Synod that can be sent to the Konde Diocese so that much needed medical equipment and supplies may be purchased;
3. To look for opportunities for people from the Lower Susquehanna Synod with medical skills to travel to the Konde Diocese to offer hands-on assistance.

Virtual Sea Container

The Lower Susquehanna Synod has started a “Virtual Sea Container” project whereby money collected in synod congregations will be sent to the Konde Diocese for the purpose of purchasing much needed supplies and medication.

By purchasing the material in Tanzania we will be helping the Tanzanian economy and saving the costs of sending an actual sea container.

The following are examples of the types of supplies needed and their approximate cost in US dollars:

• $50 will purchase a wheelchair
• $75 will purchase a hospital bed
• $5 will provide oral re-hydration fluid for a child
• $20 will treat a broken forearm or leg
• $25 will purchase mosquito netting
• $50 will pay for an appendectomy
• $300 provides a one-year supply of AIDS drugs

For more information on the Virtual Sea Container project, contact Pastor Judith McKee at 1-800-692-7282, ext. 110.

To help fill the Virtual Sea Container, please mark your contribution “Virtual Sea Container.” Congregation treasurers should send gifts to the synod office labeled Account 8181, KOD Medical Needs.

For more information on this or other aspects of our relationship with the Konde Diocese, contact Pastor Judith McKee at jmckee@lss-elca.org or call (717) 848-3419 or 843-7897.