We’re delighted to share a guest post by Noreen O’Grady, a retired principal from County Donegal, whose journey to Tanzania has opened her heart and mind to the resilience and beauty of life in rural Africa. After years of longing to volunteer abroad, Noreen’s visit to Bugisi, alongside the OLA Sisters, offered her a unique opportunity to witness the challenges and triumphs of a community that, despite hardship, celebrates life with warmth and joy. Her story is one of service, solidarity, and a deep appreciation for the power of human connection.
My name is Noreen O’Grady, and I’m from the beautiful County Donegal. After serving as the principal of Murroe National School in Dunfanaghy, I retired two years ago at the age of 57. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have been able to retire while still in good health, full of energy, and eager to embrace life. Retirement has been a blessing, allowing me to spend more time with my wonderful husband, indulging in our shared passions like golfing, walking, gardening, and travelling. Our two daughters are grown, thriving, and living their lives to the fullest—what more could a mother ask for?
Travel has always been a dream of mine, and I’m relishing the freedom to explore the world during off-peak times. However, a part of me felt a deep desire to give back to society, and for years, the idea of volunteering in Africa lingered in my mind. In September 2023, I decided it was time to take the plunge. Inspired and encouraged by my sister, Kathleen McGarvey, the former provincial of the OLA sisters, I embarked on a journey to Tanzania that would become one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
Tanzania, the largest country in East Africa, is a land of contrasts—stunning natural beauty alongside deep poverty. With a population of around 68 million, nearly 70% of Tanzanians live on less than €1-€2 per day. My journey began alongside Sr. Kate Costigan, an OLA sister from Tipperary and a nurse-midwife who has dedicated nearly 25 years to working in Africa.
After a long and exhausting journey, we arrived in Mwanza, Tanzania’s second-largest city. Situated on the southern shores of Lake Victoria and bordering the Serengeti National Park, Mwanza is a bustling city of 1.5 million people. We spent three days in the OLA house, where I was warmly welcomed and cared for by the sisters.
From Mwanza, we embarked on a four-hour journey to Bugisi in Sr. Kate’s ambulance. The drive was an eye-opener—miles of dry, arid land stretching out on either side of the road, punctuated by mud houses and throngs of people walking or cycling along the roadside. I was struck by the sight of tiny children herding cattle, women carrying enormous water containers on their heads, and bicycles loaded with jerry cans transporting water that was often far from clean. As we travelled deeper into rural Tanzania, the road deteriorated into dusty, bumpy dirt tracks, marking the beginning of my immersion into a world vastly different from my own.
Arriving in Bugisi, I was greeted with open arms by the OLA sisters. My home for the next three months was a small apartment near their house, nestled in this remote, semi-desert area. Bugisi is a sprawling parish of about 50 square miles, dotted with 35-40 villages connected only by rough tracks. The people here are predominantly from the Sukuma tribe, speaking Swahili and relying on farming—a livelihood constantly threatened by drought.
During my stay, I had the privilege of visiting many homes and villages. The warmth and hospitality of the people, despite their hardships, were deeply moving. In rural Tanzania, most people live in modest mud houses with basic furnishings—if any. I was particularly touched by Benedict’s family, a little boy who had battled cancer for years before passing away at the age of 14. The OLA sisters had helped build a home for his mother and siblings, and it was heartwarming to see the children’s joy as they received new clothes, Irish jerseys, and soccer balls donated by my family and friends. Two of the older girls, who had left school to work on the family farm, are now pursuing tailoring and beauty courses thanks to sponsorship from my project, giving them hope for a brighter future.
Despite the challenges they face, the people of rural Tanzania know how to celebrate life. I had the honour of attending a local wedding with Fr Ephram and Sr Angele. This was a joyful affair filled with song, dance, and the warmth of community. After the church ceremony, we travelled to the bride’s home for the after-party, where the groom’s family had provided four cows as part of the dowry—a grand gesture of tradition and respect.
Soccer is the heartbeat of Tanzania, and I had the absolute joy of playing soccer with village children who were thrilled to bits with their new soccer balls. Watching their eyes light up with pure delight was a moment I’ll treasure forever.
In Tanzania, the majority of the population lives in rural areas, relying on subsistence farming as their lifeline. This means they grow just enough food to feed their families and must carefully store the rest to last until the next harvest. It’s a life of hard work and dedication, where every moment is spent tending to their farms and animals, leaving little time for other pursuits or income-generating activities. This cycle of subsistence farming, while fostering self-reliance, often traps families in poverty, especially when the weather doesn’t cooperate. Extended droughts or floods can devastate crops, leading to food shortages that last for months each year, making it nearly impossible for families to break free from the grip of poverty.
Now, let me share with you the incredible work of the OLA Sisters in Bugisi and my own experience during my time there.
Bugisi, a small rural mission, was entrusted to the OLA Sisters in 1994. Back then, there was only a small clinic with one basic ward. Fast forward to today, and thanks to the tireless efforts of the OLA Sisters, Bugisi has transformed into a thriving mission, offering vital services to the poor of rural Tanzania. These services include a Vocational Training Centre (BVTC), a fully-fledged Health Centre, and an English-medium Nursery and Primary School.
The BVTC was established in 1994, and it is currently led by Sr. Odile. This residential training centre provides a safe haven for youths aged 15-22 who come from impoverished or abusive backgrounds. Here, they learn valuable skills that can set them on a path to economic independence, freeing them from the constraints of their past. The BVTC offers training in various trades such as Cookery and Catering, Hairdressing, Knitting, Electrical work, Secretarial skills, Soap-making, Batik-making, Tailoring, and even Driving. The centre also has a farm where the youths engage in crop and animal farming, gaining hands-on experience in agriculture. The BVTC is now registered at the Vocational Training level, and students graduate with official certificates in their chosen fields.
During my time in Bugisi, I had the pleasure of working with these talented young people. I taught them how to play the Tin Whistle, and their enthusiasm was infectious. Through fundraising, I was able to sponsor 13 students for further education at the centre. A generous donor also provided funds to purchase sewing machines for students in the Tailoring and Sewing Course. The BVTC and the OLA Sisters are deeply grateful for the support of donors, which makes it possible to continue this vital work, helping these youths build brighter futures.
The Health Centre in Bugisi, managed by Sr. Kate Costigan, a nurse and midwife, and Sr. Lucy, offers a wide range of services to the surrounding villages. These include maternity services, in-patient and out-patient care, and even specialized eye treatment camps. Tanzania is home to over 1 million people living with HIV/AIDS, and the OLA Sisters, led by Sr. Kate, have launched a project to support those affected. Supported by Gilead Sciences, the Vatican, Doctors with Africa, and the Institute for Global Health and Development, the project has already tested over 300,000 people and treated 20,000. Sr. Kate and her team continue to visit and counsel those living with HIV/AIDS, ensuring they receive the care and support they need. A newly constructed wing of the care and treatment centre for HIV/AIDS sufferers has recently opened in Bugisi, bringing renewed hope to the region.
I was privileged to meet many of these individuals and their families at a HIV club, where we shared stories, sang, and danced together. It was a powerful reminder of the resilience and spirit of the Tanzanian people.
During my time at the Health Centre, I dabbled in a bit of everything—from helping out in neonatal classes and the maternity unit to taking blood pressure for the first time and sorting boxes. However, most of my time was spent painting vibrant murals in the Children’s wards, Malnutrition Unit, and the large hall. I also visited the Health Centre in Mwamapalala, another OLA mission in Tanzania, where I completed more painting projects.
The OLA School in Bugisi began in 2012 with a single classroom at the BVTC. Thanks to the generosity of benefactors, a new school was built in 2015, and today, it serves over 350 children from the surrounding 35 villages. The school boasts a fine library, filled with books donated by schools in Ireland, including some from my own area in Donegal.
In October 2023, I attended the joyous graduation ceremony of Primary VII students. Many of these children are sponsored by Irish donors and will go on to secondary school, armed with the advantage of having learned English from a young age. The OLA Sisters deeply appreciate the generosity of these donors, who make it possible for children from impoverished families to receive an education.
I spent a lot of time working with the amazing principal, Sr. Comfort, the deputy principal Mr Shija and the dedicated teachers at the OLA School. We collaborated on formulating school policies, planning, and conducting teacher training sessions. Despite the limited resources, the teachers are passionate about their work and eager to learn new techniques. We enjoyed sharing ideas and methods, learning from each other, and finding creative ways to engage the students. Through Zoom, the staff and pupils of OLA School and Murroe NS had the chance to meet, share stories, music, and dance. The staff of OLA were given a virtual tour of Murroe NS, where they got to see group work, games, and colourful displays. It was a wonderful exchange of ideas and cultures.
I also taught Maths, English, and Music to the students at OLA School. These children were the most respectful, well-behaved, and happiest I’ve ever encountered! They absolutely loved the games and group work, and they made fantastic progress with the Tin Whistle.
I completed several painting projects at the school, including murals in the assembly hall and classrooms. We also fully renovated two nursery classrooms, with the children and staff eagerly participating in the painting and decorating. Through these projects, I witnessed a strong desire among the students and staff to improve their surroundings. They were deeply engaged, showing great enthusiasm and excitement to learn how to beautify their environment. The older students, in particular, demonstrated impressive leadership, skill, and talent, and I hope they continue to add their own artistic touches to the classrooms.
I cherished every moment of my time at this incredible school with its amazing staff and children. I’m still in touch with many of them and hope to reunite one day!
At the end of November, my husband Padraig joined me in Bugisi. He was warmly welcomed by the sisters and by all those who had looked after me so well and who had become my friends and family during my time there. He saw the value of volunteering and understood why I loved my time and the people there so much.
Before we left, we launched a food distribution initiative, providing essential food assistance to 250 vulnerable families in Bugisi and surrounding villages in Shinyanga. These families, identified by village, church, and Muslim leaders, received a month’s supply of staple foods, including beans, maize, and sugar. It was a humbling experience to witness their gratitude as they travelled miles to receive the food.
Finally, in December 2023, my time in Bugisi came to an emotional close. We were both given a wonderful send-off by the OLA staff, pupils, and the OLA community with lively Tanzanian parties in the school assembly hall and in the OLA house. These were joyous events, complete with plenty of song and dance, but also very sad occasions for me.
Volunteering in Tanzania was more than just an experience—it was a journey of the heart. The people I met, the stories I heard, and the simple yet profound way of life in Bugisi have left an indelible mark on me. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to give back in a meaningful way, but also for the friendships, care and kindness I received during my time in Tanzania.
Asante sana to all the wonderful, beautiful children and staff of OLA Primary School, to all the fabulous people I met in Bugisi, and to the incredible OLA Sisters for welcoming me into their home and giving me this unforgettable opportunity. The work they are doing all over the world to help those most in need is truly inspiring. I am deeply grateful to them and I will never forget my time in Tanzania—it was one of the most rewarding and memorable experiences of my life. And someday, I hope to return!
