It was a joy to welcome Bishop Bethuel Mlula, Bishop of Kiteto in our Tanzanian link diocese, to the Diocese of Leicester for several weeks during September.
His time with us came at a particularly special period for the diocese, enabling him to share in the Archbishop of Canterbury’s weekend visit and the beginning of our Centenary celebrations.
He also contributed his experience and wisdom to a number of diocesan gatherings, including our 10 years of Eco Church anniversary event and a bishops and clergy conversation around safeguarding.
The main purpose of his visit has been to strengthen links with churches and schools in our diocese, while sharing the plight of the Kiteto Christian College (KCC) primary school.
Bishop Bethuel along with headmaster Revd Noah Kimirey, are seeking support to help rejuvenate the primary school in the main town of Kibaya, to benefit the community and wider Kiteto diocese.
During his stay, he visited 12 schools both in the city and rural communities around the Diocese of Leicester, engaging with more than 1800 children.
At Frisby on the Wreake Church of England Primary School, Bishop Bethuel spoke to children about life, education and faith in Tanzania.
A live video link between the children in the classroom here, and those thousands of miles away in school in Kibaya, was a joyful moment for the pupils as they excitedly waved at one another.
As well as teaching them to count in Swahili and showing them cultural objects such as clothing, musical instruments and Maasai beadwork, the visit helped the children understand Christianity as a global faith and promised the possibility of future links with school communities in Tanzania.
“Twenty years on and the building and infrastructure is now old, the equipment tired, but the vision and our mission is to revive the school and bring it back to life,” explained Bishop Bethuel.
In a diocese of poor educational provision, and as the only English-medium school in Kiteto, the school provides a lifeline for children - particularly those of rural pastors - for whom access to education can be essential in overcoming poverty and securing meaningful employment.
Bishop Bethuel said: “We want to grow links with schools here in the Diocese of Leicester, not least because hearing native English speakers really helps them to learn English well.”
Headteacher Revd Noah’s story is an inspiring one. Having been sponsored throughout his own education, he has now returned to where his journey began in Kiteto, ready to lead the school.
“We are deeply grateful that you have chosen to walk alongside KCC School,” Noah said in a letter to the diocese. “Your partnership reminds us that education is not simply about classrooms and books; it is about building lives, nurturing hope, developing character and preparing young people to serve their communities and the wider world.”
There are many practical ways in which churches, schools and individuals across the Diocese of Leicester can walk alongside KCC as it begins this new chapter.
A donation could sponsor a child’s education, provide school uniform, help equip the school dining room and kitchen, or buy a bunk bed and mattress for a pupil. Each contribution, large or small, will help Bishop Bethuel, Revd Noah and the school community as they work to renew KCC and create new opportunities for children in Kiteto.
But the hope is for something deeper than financial support alone. By building relationships between schools, churches and communities in Leicester and Kiteto, the partnership offers opportunities to learn from one another, share experiences and faith, and help children on both sides of the link discover what it means to belong to a worldwide Church.
Watch this video of life in KCC school, introduced by headteacher, Revd Noah:
Could your church or school become part of KCC’s story?
Find out more about supporting KCC, including how to give or explore a link with the school by emailing noahvisit26@gmail.com
Or give to:
Leicester Diocesan Board of Finance
Account no: 900577103
Sort code: 20 49 37
Ref: KCC School
Or via:
