Kisarawe Jr. Seminary
History of the Tanzanian Library Project
Phase I
1997 Construction Begins
In 1995 Bishop Sendoro - Bishop of the Eastern and Coastal Diocese, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania - invited Bishop Dale Skogman and the Northern Great Lakes Synod to become partners in constructing a library for a new diocese school which will eventually serve 700 pupils in grades 6-12.
Bishop Skogman asked the Langseths, who had spent a sabbatical in Tanzania in 1992, to lead a 13 person work crew in 1997. The work consisted of creating thirty-three pillars and accompanying side walls for the 30' x 100' structure. Since this is a partnership effort $15,000 came from offerings within the synod and sent with the 13 volunteers who paid their own expenses. These were in turn matched with funds and thirteen volunteers from the diocese.
KARIBU... "Welcome" Thirteen NGLS members (ages 17-70) are welcomed at the Kisarawe Jr. Seminary where the library is to be built. Each volunteer has had to pay $3,000 to work on the beginning of this construction. The synod collected $15,000 for materials.
The Eastern and Coastal Diocese matched the money and provided 13 partners to work side by side with our synod people.
Creating the 33 Pillars
Chuck Dube prepares steel cages and wooden forms to receive cement for one of the 33 pillars to be used to support the building. Water had to be carried from a creek two miles away for making the cement.
Hauling Cement
Worker is carrying cement in hubcaps from a 1937 Packard. Completed forms can be seen in the background.
Phase II
One-third of the facility is completed
In June of '99 seven persons, ages 18-72, paid $3,000 to join the second work crew. The synod provided $9,500 for materials. Once again our companion synod matched the cash and provided work partners for the project.
Our purpose was to complete the 30' x 30' room which had a roof. The area was cleared, electric wiring and fixtures installed, the ceiling and walls were smoothed, plastered and painted. Window and door frames were constructed out of a type of brown ebony wood with security bars inserted to prevent theft. When the crew left, the room was ready for shelves, books and for students!
Hud Johnson and crew
installing security bars
in window frame
for Kisarawe Library.
DJ Rasner and Ngeliama building window and door frames out of brown ebony.
Sanding -
Laverne Locke, Deloris and Bob Langseth sandpapering the menga wood frames.
Lookin' Good -
Wow! The windows are in and the ceiling and walls are being plastered.
The building techniques being used are intended to create a library that will stand for 200 years!
Phase III
This is the portion that was completed in 2001
OVERVIEW OF PHASE III
In 2001 the Langseths led a 3rd crew to Tanzania. The work consisted of completing ceiling/roof plus window and door casings, plastering, painting, and preparing the large 70' x 30' room for stacks and an administration office.
2001 Work Crew
Front Row: Janet Diemer; Laverne Locke; Diana George; Deloris Langseth; Kate Strong
2nd Row: Phyllis Gottschalk; Hud Johnson; Mike Haupt; Laura Goodwin; Bill Levihn
Back Row: Bob Langseth; Bob Gottschalk; Chuck Harris; Steve Diemer
Absent: Danielle Doney; Amy Diemer; Molly Diemer; Dale Eltman; Carl and Lynne Hammerstrom
Phase IV
OVERVIEW OF PHASE IV
June 7, 2003
Main crew of 8-10 people departs Saturday, June 7 and returns Tuesday, July 8.
Cost: $3,100.
That includes airfare, food, lodging, and 4 day safari. Passport, visas, and inoculations are your personal responsibility.
Tanzanians have begun the 2nd floor of the Kisarawe Library. Four hundred pieces of factory cut frame await us. Our tasks will be drilling, sanding, inserting security rods, varnishing and painting these frames, screens, and shutters then assembling them. Also, some electrical work, cement floor work and painting of the 100x33' interior. (See the short online video for an idea of the framing operation done in 2001 - Click here to play. NOTE: RealPlayer needed.)
Phase V
This 110 ft. x 33 ft Companionship Library is scheduled
for completion with a grand dedication on July 10, 2004
CHALLENGE: To complete the third floor one family is committed a $75,000 challenge. A match of $75,000 is required plus a new synod work crew. The good news is that as of September 15 we have secured around $40,000 - $45,000 in gifts and pledges. If you can help complete this match please send your check to the Synod Office with the notation that is for the TZ. LIBRARY MATCH
THE 2004 WORK CREW: Welders, carpenters, painters, varnishers, artistic folks to create book shelves and murals, & the photographer are desired for the crew that leaves June 12 and returns on July 14. The cost is $3,175 and includes a 3 day safari. Contact the Synod Office or Rev. Langseth (rlangse@attglobal.net) for further details.
Photo Galleries - click links below:
(all photos courtesy of Dale Eltman)
PEEK INTO THE PROCESS DAILY LIFE AT KISARAWE
TASKS FOR THE 2004 TANZANIAN WORK CREW
Welder: We would sketch out and have a computer student create accurate drawings of the metal frames for library shelves and study tables. 1" x3" rectangular tubing is used with wood placed upon the frame. Njau would have to provide an accurate number to be created but our initial thought is that up to 60 book shelves and 25 tables may be needed.
Cabinet maker/ finishing carpenter: A rounded main check out/ check in front desk would be created, glass cases to display trophies, artifacts, and valuable displays, magazine and newspaper stands, and 12 cabinets with locks for the various classrooms.
Rough cut carpenters: They would need to plane boards for shelves, cabinets, tables. Create magazine and newspaper stands as well as 2 library carts with wheels and a wash stand at the entrance. They would also work with artistic folk in providing frames for native art displays.
Painters/ Varnishers: Repaint the ground floor and stain the ground floor windows so the entire building would be fresh. Varnish shelves, cabinets and tables. And if time permits work with the congregational crews in refurbishing the dorms and classrooms.
Artistic Folk: Local paintings, banana leaf pictures, etc should be collected and framed for display. Also, an interesting wall stripe or mural may be created to make the environment more interesting.
Librarian: A librarian acquainted with card catalogs or computer system software is desired for the purpose of upgrading the system of cataloging, checking in/ out, and keeping track of the materials. Also, we inquire if this person could provide the names of key books and periodicals dealing with Tanzania uniqueness. Is partnership with the Tz. Cultural Museum a possibility for providing materials on Tanzanian history, archaeology, paleontology, natural resources and game parks, geology maps and interpretation of the nation's contributions?
Further, since this is a partnership library a Democracy Corner should be featured. What are the books, magazines, and subscriptions that should be considered for this display?
Historians, writers, and feature displays: We believe four display areas would add greatly to the grand dedication and continue as valuable components for the future.
The Kisarawe District: A writer who can interview the district commissioner and other leaders of the area and then compile a history and photos of the district for both the dedication and for the continuing education of the students. This is a district that is just now receiving tarmac roads, an improved water supply, and will develop into an influential community within the country. Its roots and present characteristics would be a valuable archive.
The Partnership Library: A writer should interview Bishop Sendoro, Headmistress
Bulugu, architect Njau, the Langseth's and others and prepare a archival document on the 12 development of this library which is destined to be a showcase and model for eastern Africa.
The NGLS - ECD Corner: A synopsis of the synod and its characteristics, along with a similar understanding of the diocese should be prepared for the dedication and the continuing education of the students.
Contemporary Christian Corner: Key video and musical cassettes, periodicals, and inspirational youth booklets shall be assembled for the dedication and maintained with additional materials.
In addition to the NGLS crew, which might serve as mentors, perhaps upper grade students could undertake compiling a history of the district and of the library, develop displays, and in creative ways make the dedicat ion of the library their own.
Also, we believe that the teachers need to make this library their own. Each of the teachers should be invited to submit requests for six - eight resources that would serve as reference materials in the library. They might be books, periodicals, visuals, video cassettes, or whatever they would covet.
Wow! Do you think the synod can assemble such a diverse work crew? Will the students and teachers be desirous of their involvement? These thoughts are indeed proposing a process for building new levels of communication, construction, and visioning.
-These Recommendations are from the 2003 crew members