The first catholic church in Tsumeb was built in 1914 and dedicated to St. Barbara, the patron saint of the mines. The Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing arrived in 1996. Among the first group were: Sr. Agrippina ASHIPALA, OSB (Regional Superior), Sr. Bernardine BECKMAN, OSB, Sr. Adelheidis FLORIN, OSB, Sr. Anna Maria FRANZISKUS, OSB, Sr. Agatha LEONHARD, OSB, and Sr. Wilhelmine SHAVUKA, OSB (Junior Sister).
Sr. Leoni HASLER, OSB joined the Tsumeb community in 2000 and began to work with the poor. In 2002 she set up five containers for offices, store rooms and a kitchen and opened a Care Centre. At first, it was frequented mainly by school children who suffered from HIV/AIDS, by orphans and by old people. About 120 children and some 100 old people showed up regularly.
As the Care Centre became known in town, more and more people turned up, especially children from different schools. With the help of her family and her friends in her home country Liechtenstein, Sr. Leonie was able to provide meals for all of them at the centre which is now known as Sr. Leoni’s Centre soup kitchen; this has become the main apostolate of the sisters where they prepare meals for the elderly and poor children around Tsumeb. About 250 people come to eat at this centre daily. The Sisters do pastoral work in the Parish of St. Barbara, they prepare children for the Sacraments and the Liturgy. They also have a small orchard around their convent and welcome visitors who look for accommodation.
Community News
Latest News Here