The Children’s Centers at Ngaramtoni and Selian churches currently serve 230 children, ranging in age from 3 to upper teens.  The programs help children marginalized by poverty or loss of family to survive and grow physically, spiritually, and emotionally.  The children, who are mostly orphans living with guardian families or single parent families, come to the Center on Saturdays where they receive a meal prepared by volunteers and participate in worship services, activities, and Bible studies.  In addition, the children are monitored and treated for minor health problems.  The parish churches provide volunteers and funding for the operation of the Centers.  Rockland has helped with supplies, materials, uniforms, shoes, Bibles and special gifts when the mission teams visit.

Ebenezer Girls’ Secondary School was established to provide educational opportunities for girls who might otherwise not be able to continue their education beyond primary school and to extend additional opportunities for other girls in the community.

The school opened its doors in January, 2007, with 67 girls and a small staff. Today there are 256 girls in four class levels, 13 classrooms, a headmistress, 10 teachers, a secretary, a bookkeeper,  and additional support staff.  In addition to the regular classrooms, there is a Science Lab and a Computer Lab.  The Science Lab contains the equipment necessary to allow the students to conduct the lab experiments required under the national curriculum.  The Computer Lab is equipped with over 20 desktop and laptop computers plus printers and a projector. The school curriculum includes regular science and computer classes focused on the requirements for passing the national exams.  With the introduction of internet to the school site, the headmistress and the teachers have access to improved communications, educational resources, and record-keeping.   Plans are to connect the Computer Lab to the internet sometime in the future.

The facilities for what are known as the Ordinary Level classes, Forms 1-4, were completed in 2009. In 2010, work began on facilities for the school’s Advanced Level classes with construction of the first classroom building for Form 5. Ordinary Level is roughly equivalent to our high school.  Advanced Level is roughly equivalent to our junior college.  Dormitories will be included in future programs, with the first building to be constructed in 2011.

The first graduation ceremony will be held at Ebenezer on November 27, 2010.  Thirty-eight girls, who have completed coursework for Forms 1 through 4, will be honored. They are now young women who are setting the example for those who will follow them.

Since this program was started in 2008, over 150 cows and goats have been distributed to needy families, in addition to dozens of flocks of chickens. The program is continuing to expand as the offspring of the animals are passed along to other needy families.  There will be an opportunity for Rockland supporters to add new animals to the program at Christmas.  This self-sustaining program gives life to marginalized families.

1986-2002 • RCC supports Kilimanjaro climbers who raise funds to build Selian Lutheran Hospital.
2004 • First RCC mission team goes to Tanzania; completes new sanctuary at Ngaramtoni Lutheran Church.
2005 • RCC completes AIDS orphans Children’s Center.
2006 • RCC completes 4 classrooms at the new Ebenezer Girl’s Secondary School.
2007 • RCC adds 3 new classrooms at Ebenezer Girl’s Secondary School.  RCC wins Courageous Leadership Award for its role in supporting effective work with HIV/AIDS.
2008 • RCC provides major support for Arusha Lutheran Medical Center. RCC added 2 new classrooms and an office at Ebenezer Girl’s Secondary School. Milky Cow program begins with the distribution of the first dairy cows.
2009 • RCC mission team completes science and computer lab. The team delivers science equipment and computers.
2010 • RCC mission team completes two classrooms for Form 5. Additional Science Lab equipment and computers continue to upgrade the facilities.

*2006-2010 • In each of these years AfricAid has provided a $10,000 Challenge Grant for Ebenezer which RCC has met.