A Home in Progress: Welcoming the First Boys to Osotwa

On a bright day in Loiborsiret, Tanzania, the Sisters of Notre Dame gathered with students and community members to inaugurate the new boy’s dormitory at Osotwa Primary Boarding School. Though only partially complete, the building now shelters 100 boys—offering them a safe, stable place to sleep, study, and grow.

📈 Why the Boys Dormitory Came First

Enrollment at Osotwa has grown steadily since 2012, with boys now outnumbering girls by more than 50 students. In 2025, 176 boys are enrolled compared to 125 girls. The original boys dormitory, Ignatia Boma, was built for just 45 students and could no longer meet the needs of the growing population—especially during national exams, when boys are required to board for two months of intensive preparation.

Most students come from homes without electricity, making evening study nearly impossible. Boarding provides not only shelter, but the academic support and structure essential for long-term success.

🧱 Built on Faith, Not Fully Funded

Construction of the new dormitory began in June 2024, with plans to house 200 boys and include a three-room patron/sickbay house. Thanks to generous support from the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption’s Bridges Ministry and the Barbara and Nicholas Renat Trust, the first half of the dormitory—ten shared cubicles with five double-decker beds each—is now in use.

A Legacy Rooted in Faith
The Barbara and Nicholas Renat Trust was established in loving memory of Barbara and Nicholas after their passing, as a testament to their enduring faith and compassion. Through this memorial gift, their legacy lives on—bringing light, learning, and shelter to the children of Osotwa. The Sisters of Notre Dame give thanks for this blessing, which continues to bear fruit in the lives of those they serve.

But the building is not yet finished. When funds ran out, workers continued construction without pay so the boys could move in. Their sacrifice is a testament to the shared belief in the power of education. The Sisters of Notre Dame now carry a significant debt to honor that labor.

🙏 Help Us Finish What Faith Began

The boys dormitory is a milestone—but not the end of the journey. Your support helps:

Complete the remaining dormitory space so all 200 boys can be safely housed.
Relieve the Sisters’ construction debt, honoring the workers who gave so generously.
Lay the foundation for future projects, including a much-needed girls dormitory and the completion of a nursery school in Arusha.
💛 Every gift helps build a future.

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