Tanzania Treasures

In 2005, St Matthew Lutheran Church in Omaha, NE and the Tella Lutheran Congregation on Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, East Africa became Companion Synod Partner Parishes. This was at the encouragement of Bishop DeFreeze and as a result of a visit to Tanzania by Mary Mayfield. We have exchanged information, photos, and made several visits to Tanzania, as well as welcomed visitors from Tella Parish to Omaha. It is a growth process and a real valuable learning experience. We consider ourselves not only fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, but, friends.

Tanzanian Treasures: Fabric and More! 

is a mission project of St Matthew Lutheran Church in Omaha, NE which grew out of our love and concern for our partner parish. From the sale of Tanzanian fabric, jewelry, photos, baskets, dresses, etc we provide scholarships to women in the Mt. Kilimanjaro Area of Tanzania, East Africa. 50% of each purchase goes to the Tanzanian Scholarship Fund. We also give programs, display and sell materials at Quilt Shows. You can also make an appointment to see and purchase items by appointment - contact us a St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 1725 South 60th Street, Omaha, NE 68106. Phone us at 402-556-7030 or contact Mary Mayfield (see below).

Presently, five women from the Tella Lutheran Parish have received scholarships for year long programs at the Angaza Women's Training Center in Sanya Juu. This boarding school is at the foot of Mt.Kilimanjaro. Two of our scholarship recipients are studying cooking and catering, two are studying tailoring, fabric dying, etc, and one is studying hotel management. We also provide scholarships for students to attend Machame Hospital Nursing School.

For more information contact: Mary Mayfield Companion Synod Partner Parish Chairman by phone at 402-778-0291 or email at mayfieldm@cox.net