Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Grumeti Reserves Company, an investor focusing on an eco-tourism,has handed over 450,000 US dollars (about 1bn/-) state-of-the-art church building to Roman Catholic Bishop of Musoma Diocese at Natta-Mbiso village in Serengeti District, Mara Region.
Leading the worshippers to welcome the handover over the weekend, the area Roman Catholic Bishop Michael Msonganzila, thanked the investor for funding the construction of the village church.
“The church building fully constructed and funded by the American investor, an eco-tourism company that operates world class lodges in Western Serengeti is role model stakeholder in supporting community development, and we are today blessing it officially as our house of worship.
“We thank the investor for funding the construction of the village Catholic Church for the Christians. In a way, it is continuing to support local people not only in spiritual nourishments, but also conserving wildlife in the Western Serengeti…even having the house of worship is social development,” said Bishop Msonganzila.
Accompanied by several priests, church elders and worshippers, Bishop Msonganzila noted that the church will have capacity to accommodate between 400 to 500 worshippers, adding: “We shall put the investor’s name in the list of those who deserve constant prayers and blessings here.”
A representative from Grumeti Reserves, Mr Noel Mbise said besides investing heavily in wildlife conservation, their presence in the country has continued to transform the local lives in many ways, including supporting bright students with scholarships through their Grumeti Fund.
“Sustainable wildlife conservation cannot be possible without involvement of the community. The investor supports not only wildlife conservation, but also the community,” said Mr Mbise, who is also the company’s General Manager of Research and Community Unit.
He said the church building will continue to enhance the good existing relationship between the investor, who is also a Catholic and local communities.
On his part, the area Parish Priest, Fr Jeremia Musira asked the worshippers to work hand in hand with the investor, adding that their spiritual cooperation will enhance the company’s goals to be met.
“This company is solely working in our midst and whatever accrued is ploughed back, let us support its goals and show cooperation for its smooth business to flourish,” he pointed out.,
Construction of the church building was carried out by Grumeti Construction, a sister company to Grumeti Reserves.
Elaborating, Martha Baare a senior official with Grumeti Reserves further said: “The money came directly from the investor, who has been attending church service hosted by the Natta-Mbiso village Roman Catholic Church… because there has been long a term relationship between the investor and the church, let alone many of our workers going there to worship.”
Grumeti Reserves operates several world-class lodges in Tanzania including Sasakwa, and the company has also massively invested in conservation and community development in Western Serengeti, through Grumeti Fund.
As a result, community leaders and local villagers see Grumeti Reserves as a role model investor significantly contributing a lot in sustainable conservation activities and local development in Western Serengeti, part of the great Serengeti ecosystem in Tanzania.
