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Archdiocese of Windhoek Roman Catholic Church  |
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Ongha
Roman Catholic Mission |
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R.C. Mission Ongha P.O. Box 901, Ohangwena Tel/Fax: 264.065 0608004572 Email: msfsonga@iway.na MSFS website |
 Fr. Lukose Perumannikala, MSFS |
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Sunday Mass: 0900 plus masses in outlaying communities on Sat and Sun Weekday Mass Mass M-T-W-F: 0700 Thursday Mass: 1600 |
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Parish Secretary: Sister Antonia, OSB Tel/Fax: 264.065 0608004572 |
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Parish Sisters Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing OSB |
 Rectory and Parish Office |
 Kindergarten run by Benedictine Sisters |
| Some photos from Retreat 2007 |
| Click on images for larger view |
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| Some outstation Community Churches of the Ongha Mission |
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 Eettoppe Community Church |
 Onheliwa Community Church |
 Oshamukweni Community Church |
 Ouhongo Community Church |
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An explanation of the Pastoral Region concept of de-centralation:
Most of the Catholics in the Archdiocese
live in the northern part of the country.
They live in rural villages and subsist by
raising cattle, goats, and growing some corn
and barley for their own use. They are isolated
in these distant villages with no cars or
modern transportation. Therefore, the Church
must be brought to them; they do not have
the mobility themselves to travel distances
to receive the sacraments or attend mass.
In response to this pastoral situation, the
Archdiocese now operates with three pastoral
layers of ministry. At the top is the Roman
Catholic Mission which is staffed by two
or more priests; then under the Mission are
the Roman Catholic Parishes which are staffed
by Deacons; then under the Parishes are
the Roman Catholic Communities which are
headed by Lay Leaders. This de-centralized
arrangement enables the Archdiocese to provide
pervasive pastoral care to these large numbers
of isolated Catholics.
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ST. BASELIUS CHURCH, OKATOPE
Statistics of the community:The community of Okatope, is one of the oldest communities of Ongha Parish. It is situated around 30 km. north east of Ongha. It was started in 1962 by Mr. Markus Haufiku who was the leader of the community till 1968. And then the community was entrusted with Mr. Daniel Hashondaly who was also in charge of the Onengali community. With the guidance and directions of Fr.Bernard Nordcam the community grew steadily. The community consists of 24 villages. The present brick church was built in 1985. Now the community has 393 members. Patron saint of the community: St. Baselius Feast day - January 2nd Year of establishment: 1962 Founder: Markus Haufiku No. of Villages: 24 No. of Catholic families: 59 No. of Catholics: 403 No. of Men: 126 No. of Women: 193 No. of Children: 84 Present Leader: Hortensia Kalola Community Councilors: Anna Bela Hanghome, Seleste Hamunyela, Lavinia Nakale, Virginia Kashihalwa, Epifania Tshkula, Martha Shipwiisho Finance committee: Sevelina Venasiu, Lemisia Johannes, Hilukilwa Matheus Voluntary Catechists: Daniel Hashondaly, Mwashekele Michael, Anna Bela Hanghome Trained Catechist: Daniel Hashondaly |
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ST. BONIFACIUS CHURCH EEMBOO
Statistics of the community:The community of Eemboo Roman Catholic church is situated around 39 km. north west of Ongha. It is the second oldest community under Ongha Parish. It was started by Mr. Jonas Nenondumbo, Mr. Immanuel Sheehama and Mrs. Veronika Joseph in 1978. Initially the community was only a small praying community which used to gather under a tree. And for the Holy Mass the people used to go to Okatana parish which is around 80 km. far from the place. Later on when fathers used to come to Engela, the people used to go to Engela which is 20 km away, to attend Mass and to receive the other Sacraments. It was Fr. Clemens who visited the community for the first time, in 1980. The same year he constructed a brick church for the community finding the group is big enough to get a decent church. And the church was blessed on 21st of July 1981 by the late Arch Bishop Bonifatius Hausiku. Now the community has 329 members. Patron saint of the community: St. Bonifacius Feast day - May 14th Year of establishment: 1980 Founder: Jonas Venondumbo No. of Villages: 13 No. of Catholic families: 43 No. of Catholics: 329 No. of Men: 119 No. of Women: 142 No. of Children: 68 Present Leader: Balinda Haundapiti Community Councilors: Epifania David, Martha Lasarus, Teresa Ndinonya, Emilia Mhuku, Frans Nakapanda, Lucia Nghilukilwa Finance committee: Victoria Haimbodi, Anna Josua, Basilia Mwashehele Voluntary Catechists: Tresia Venonya, Immanuel Sheehama, Esther Hamwele, Lucia Nghilukila, Lukas Ndahepele, Rosalia Sakaria |
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STS. PETER AND PAULUS CHURCH OUHONGO
Statistics of the community:The Roman Catholic church, Ouhongo, under the patronage of Sts. Peter and Paulus is situated around 30 km. North West of Ongha Mission. The community of Ouhongo started officially on the feast day of Sts. Peter and Paul, ie. 29th of June 1985. The first gathering of the community was under the shade of a tree. The founder of the community is Mr. Joseph Johannes Shandonga. He was helped by leaders like Mrs. Maria Kanga, Victoria Everistus, Alfrud Johannes and Venasius Kalilo. Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Maria are dead already. Initially, the services as well as the instructions were under the shade of a tree which they had chosen as the place of worship. Later on, the community raising some fund locally built a church with mud bricks and zinc which is the present church for them. It was blessed by Fr. Joseph Michael on 17th of June 1995. The community continues to grow steadily. Under this church there are two other praying communities. Patron saint of the community: Sts. Peter and Paulus Feast day - June 29th Year of establishment: 1985 Founder: Joseph Shadongala No. of Villages: 9 No. of Catholic families: 60 No. of Catholics: 258 No. of Men: 87 No. of Women: 118 No. of Children: 53 No. of Single Parent: 21 Present Leader: Victoria Weyulu Evaristus Community Councilors: G. Selma, Jenisia Nelunge, Lukas Kristina, Genisia Nghinananu, Michael Finance committee: Shipa Lazarus, Victoria David, Naemi Halweendo Voluntary Catechists: Filimon Weyulu, Victoria Evaristus Trained Catechist: Gabriel Athanasius |
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ST. JOSEPH GERALD CHURCH EPALALA
Statistics of the community:The Roman Catholic church, Epalala is situated around 8 km. south east of Ongha. The community was organized by leaders from Ongha parish. Upon receiving a request from a few people from Epalala, the leaders from Ongha, namely Mrs. Theresa Iishinda and mrs. Asteria Johannes went to Epalala, had a meeting with the people of Epalala and appointed Mr. Robert S. Shinime as the leader of the group. And the community had the first Mass in their new place on 16th of December 1985 by Fr. Johannes Nienhaus and the baptism in the community took place for the first time on 28th of April 1986 by the same father. The community grew steadily from then on. Now it has seventeen (17) villages under this community. The present brick church was built by Fr. Joseph Michael and was blessed by Bishop Liborius Ndumbukuti Nashenda OMI in 2003. Patron saint of the community: St Joseph Gerald Feast day - May 29th Year of establishment: 1985 Founder: Robert Sharongo Shinime No. of Villages: 17 No. of Catholic families: 89 No. of Catholics: 492 No. of Men: 194 No. of Women: 186 No. of Children: 112 No. of Single Parent: 65 Present Leader: Robert S. Shinime Community Councilors: Hilma Barastus, Elise N. Kombada, Berenalud Hamukwaya, Patricia Uhepo, Desderia Stefanus, Sicilia G Alufledo Finance committee: Alexandrina Ahimowina, Patricia Uhepo, Genitolia Petrus Voluntary Catechists: Derima Djoronimu, Sicilia Goteti Alfredo Desderia Shitefanus Trained Catechist: Robert Shinime, Victoria Andreas |
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ST. MARIA IMMACULATA CHURCH, OMAFO
Statistics of the community:Roman Catholic Church Omafo is yet another outstation of Ongha mission. It is situated around 27 km. away north of Ongha, on the way to Oshikango. The community started on 11-11-1981. The founder of the community is Helena Lukas Kaluvango. The community gathered for prayer and service in the house of Mr. Kaluvngo in the beginning. As the community grew in number, they shifted the service place to the shade of a tree which was near by. The community has youth group, organized in 1991 and N ACAWA organized in 1993. There are nine villages under this community. It is an active and vibrant community which strive to be independent for its needs. Making a rather church decent church by the people of this community is a beautiful example of it. They built it in 1997 and it was blessed Bp. Liborius Ndumbukuti Nashenda OMI in 2003. The community has six trained persons to conduct service for the community. Patron saint of the community: St Maria Immaculata Feast day - Dec 8th Year of establishment: 1981 Founder: Helena Moses No. of Villages: 9 No. of Catholic families: 60 No. of Catholics: 372 No. of Men: 143 No. of Women: 168 No. of Children: 61 Present Leader: Jonas Haitamba Community Councilors: Linus ikalola, thomas Haimbodi, Paulina Thomas, Rosalia Rikardo, Anna Matias,, Frans Moses Finance committee: Hendrina Nghiluwa, Esperanca Haitotela, Maria Mwaamba Voluntary Catechists: Moniku Nghinaunye |
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ST ANDREWS’ CHURCH, INDANGUNGU
Statistics of the community:The Roman Catholic Church Indangungu was part of Okatna parish till 2001. It was added to the Ongha parish in 2002 as the msfs fathers took up the Ongha parish. It is situated 21 km . South east of Ongha mission, on the way to Ondangwa. This community was organized on 9th of December 1990 by Sr. Anna Paula, conducting word service in her family. The same family was the place of gathering for the people of Indangungu for the service till they made a separate hut for the service in1994. Meanwhile as the community grew, Sr. Anna paula mobilized the community to raise fund locally to build a brick church for the community. As the fund was not sufficient, she decided to take the fund raising campaign wider with the permission of her provincial superior and managed to get sufficient fund for the construction of the church. The people who supported in her effort are Dr. Siidhoz Hermann from Germany, MSC province of Namibia, Julinda Ndume and family and Gibeon Catholic community. Thus the community’s dream of getting a decent church was realized in 1998. Now the community has more than 150 members. The community of Indangungu has a small Kindergarten too. It is managed by the community itself. It has more than 30 children, attending the class. Patron saint of the community: St Andrew Feast day - Nov 30th Year of establishment: 1990 Founder: Malmi Lakana No. of Villages: 10 No. of Catholic families: 25 No. of Catholics: 154 No. of Men: 48 No. of Women: 82 No. of Children: 24 Present Leader: Leonard Telesfol Community Councilors: Linus Haindongo, Marceline Shitaleni, Genesia Yasriel, Julinda Ndume, Klementina Mupoiwa, Johannes Shihepo Finance committee: Klemisia Josef, Sylvia Telesfol, Johannes Shihepo Voluntary Catechists: Shikulo Elizabeth, Maria Daniel, Isabela Ndemukela No. of trained Catechists: 3 |
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ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH, OSHIKANGO
Statistics of the community:The Roman Catholic Church, Oshikango is situated around 26 km. north of Ongha, bordering Angola. Oshikango is a fast growing border town. The government is doing all that is possible to develop in to a big commercial town. The work of connecting the town with the rail road from Windhoek to Oshikango is under process. Before the Independence of Namibia it was a war torn town making the life of the people very difficult. In the midst of tensions and turmoil Mr. Fernando N. Kelao made an attempt to start a Roman Catholic community at Oshikango in 1982 with a group of 25 people. But it was an aborted attempt due to the war situation prevailing there. However, after the independence he reorganized the group on 19th October 1997. The meeting place of the people for prayer and service was under the shade of a tree. Feeling the need for a brick church for this community which had more than 60 members the fathers from Okatna made arrangements for constructing a church. It was started on 11th February 1998 and was completed on 23-11-1998. It was blessed on 19th January 2003 by Rev. Bp. Liborius Ndumbukuti Nashenda OMI. Now the community has around 600 members. Patron saint of the community: St Joseph Feast day - Mar 19th Year of establishment: 1997 Founder: Fernando Nakashindo Kelao No. of Villages: 7 No. of Catholic families: 23 No. of Catholics: 646 No. of Men: 255 No. of Women: 348 No. of Children: 43 Present Leader: Fernando Nakashindo Kelao Community Councilors: Klaudia Mutumbulwa, bertha Philipus, Lydia Philipus, BensiusNestor, Patrick Nghinaounye Finance committee: Helena Mathias, Loide Petrus, Victoria Ndeutapo Voluntary Catechists: Fernando N. Kelao, Asteria Lukas, Johannes Nghiishiko Trained Catechists: Andreas |
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ST. STEPHANUS CHURCH, ONANGAMA
Statistics of the community:Roman Catholic Church, Onangama is situated around 38 km. North West of Ongha. It was started on 11th September 1992by Mrs. Theresia Haushona with the help of Mr. Abraham Tuningeni. They built a temporary church in 1993 with the materials that were available locally. It was blessed on 20th June 1993. As the community grew to a rather big number, Fr. Joseph Franz Michael helped them to make a rather decent church imitating the way of the African culture. For the realization of the church, the fund was received from Rome. The specialty of this church is that it is built with bottles and cement and thatch as the roof of it. The church was completed in 2001 and was blessed by Rev. Bp. Liborius Ndumbukuti Nahenda OMI on the 7th of September 2002. Patron saint of the community: St Stephanus Feast day - Dec 26th Year of establishment: 1992 Founder: Theresia Hashiti No. of Villages: 9 No. of Catholic families: 12 No. of Catholics: 128 No. of Men: 34 No. of Women: 65 No. of Children: 29 Present Leader: Emilia Mutumbulwa Community Councilors: Olivia Hailonga Seleste Venasiu, Lonia Sheekuli, Tufiilwa letisia, Natalia Kamaada Finance committee: Frolis Matheus, Olivia Elias, Teresia Haishiti Voluntary Catechists: Frolis Matheus, Olivia Hailonga, Golinim Haushona, Lydia Matias |
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ST. MARIA MAGDALENA CHURCH, EEXUMBA
Statistics of the community:The village Eexumba is a remote village situated around 18 km. east of Ongha mission. The Catholics in this village started coming together in 1987 with the view of forming a Catholic community in the village. Though it did not work out well initially, the leaders Mrs. Ksaveria Markus and Josepha Meinhaus continued patiently mobilizing the people to organize. Meanwhile they contacted the fathers at Okatana to visit their community. Thus the first service at Eexumba was conducted on 14-02-1999. And the first Holy Mass in the community was celebrated on the 21-05-2000 by Fr. Adolf. The first baptism in the community took place on 19-09-2000. It was done by Fr. Erastus Shimbome. From 29-04-2001 Fr. Josef Michael was taking care of the community till the new parish priest of Ongha, Fr.Lukose Perumannikala, arrived. He visited this community along with Fr. Josef Michael on 19-01-2001. The community is small and it has only 75 members. However they are fortunate to have a brick church while the bigger communities are still waiting to a decent church. Their new church was completed on 22nd of November 2003 and was blessed and dedicated on 18-09-2004 by Bishop Liborius Ndumbukuti Nshenda OMI. Patron saint of the community: Maria Magdalena Feast day - July 22nd Year of establishment: 1987 Founder: Ksaveria Markus and Josefa Mienhaus No. of Villages: 7 No. of Catholic families: 15 No. of Catholics: 75 No. of Men: 11 No. of Women: 27 No. of Children: 37 Present Leader: Ksaveria Markus Community Councilors: Maria H., Marta Ndakolonghos, wilhelmine Muetuludila, Alexandrina Subeni Naholo, Felisa Siinus Finance committee: Maria Haikali, Marta Ndakolongho.S, Lavia Johannes, Helena Elia Voluntary Catechists: Ksavria M. Maria Haingo |
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ANGEL GABRIEL'S CHURCH, ONENGALI
Statistics of the community:The Roman Catholic Church Onengali is a mother church for many of the churches in the Ohangwena region under Ongha parish. It is situated around 32 km. north east of Ongha. It was started in 1960 by Mrs. Rosalia Nakuva. She started at first teaching catechism for the young children under the shade of a tree which was close to her house. Seeing her enthusiasm to spread the catholic faith Mr. Sakaria Nangolo approached the headmaster of the village to allot a place for the Catholics to gather together and have their prayer service. The headmaster allotted a place for them taking a portion of the land of Mr. Vitus, the first catholic to come to the village. Meanwhile they contacted the fathers in Okatana to request them to visit their community. Though the response was positive the fathers asked them to find a catechist to lead the community. Many of the persons who were approached by the community declined the post and finally Mr. Daniel Hashondaly came forward to lead the community. Thus the community managed to make a bush church in 1965 and started to have the prayer service in the community. However the community started getting mass only from 1969. It was Fr. Stegman who visited them first and celebrated mass with the community. There after the fathers used to visit them constantly. The first confirmation in the community took place on 20th of April 1975 by Bishop Rudolf Koppman. Thereafter the community started growing in number. When people came to Namibia in 90’s as refugees during the civil war in Angola many were baptized in this community. The service was conducted very often under the shade of the tree as the church was very small to contain all the people. Now the number of Catholics in this community has declined as many have gone back to Angola as the situation being better there. Fr. Joseph Michael took care of the pastoral needs of the community from 1996 to 2002. Now Frs. Thomas Vanderkunnel msfs and D.R. Paul msfs are taking care of the pastoral needs of the community. Fr. Joseph Michael helped the community to build a new spacious church in 2003. It was blessed by Bishop Liborius Ndumbukuti Nashenda OMI in 2003. Patron saint of the community: Angel Gabriel Feast day - Sept 29th Year of establishment: 1960 Founder: Mrs. Rosalia Nakuva and Mr. Daniel Hashondaly No. of Villages: ? No. of Catholic families: ? No. of Catholics: ? No. of Men: ? No. of Women: ? No. of Children: ? Present Leader: Hendrina Hamukuaya Community Councilors: Lucia M .Tatatile, Fereshimin Mwadimita.Ronia Thomas, Maria Clemencia, Victoria Muhongo, Johanna David Finance committee: Hendrina Mutumbi,Fereshimin Mwadimuka,Albertina Shiwomenye Voluntary Catechists: Alexandrina Nangonya, Maria Klemencia Mudikange |
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FEAST DAYS OF THE COMMUNITY CHURCHES UNDER THE REGIONAL MISSION OF ONGHA
S/N.....NAME OF COMMUNITY.....NAME OF SAINT.....DATE OF FEAST.....DEDICATION OF CHURCH 01. Okatope.......... ST. Baselius.......... 2nd January.......... 1962 02. Omhitoyananime.......... St. Backhita.......... 8th February.......... 14th Apr 2002 03. Oshikango.......... St. Joseph.......... 19th March.......... 19th Oct 1997 04. Oshimwaku.......... St. Joseph.......... 19th March.......... 5th June 1988 05. Etope.......... St. Mark.......... 25th April.......... 20th Oct 1999 06. Ondangwa.......... Maria de Fatima.......... 13th May..........1988 07. Eemboo .......... St. Bonifatius.......... 14th May.......... Nov 1980 08. Epalala.......... St. Joseph Gerald.......... 29th May.......... 26th May 1985 09. Ouhungo.......... Sts. Peter and Paul.......... 29th June.......... 20th Aug 1984 10. Eexumba .......... St. Mary Magdalena.......... 22nd July.......... 14th Feb 1987 11. Oheti.......... St. Cosmos and Damien.......... 26th September..........1984 12 Ongha.......... St.Teresa of Child Jesus.......... 1st October.......... 1st Jan 1972 13. Ohaingu.......... St. Luke .......... 18th October.......... 25th Dec 1992 14. Onheliewa .......... All Saints.......... 1st November.......... 13th Oct 1989 15. Iindangungu.......... St. Andrew ..........30th November ..........9th Dec 1990 16. Eendama .......... St. Francis Xavier.......... 3rd December..........1959 17. Omafo.......... Mary Immaculate.......... 8th December.......... 11th Nov 1981 18. Onangama.......... St. Stephen.......... 26th December.......... 11th Sep 1992 19. Okanghudi.......... Sakalas Eslabeta.......... 5th November.......... 2nd Aug 1990 20. Oshamukweni.......... Christ the King ..........Last Sunday of the year.......... 17th Feb 2002 21. Okaani.......... 22. Eenhana.......... St. Fransisca 23. Onengali.......... Angel Gabriel.......... September 29th ........... 1969 |
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PROJECT PROPOSAL FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A PASTORAL CENTER FOR ONGHA PASTORAL DISTRICT Date - 22/09/2006 Project No. IP 2006 Project Title: Construction of a Pastoral center for Ongha Mission. Responsible for Applying: Fr. Thomas Joseph Vanderkunnel, MSFS Address: R.C. Mission, Ongha P.O. Box 901 Ohangwena Namibia Title, Name and Address of Legal Holder: ArchBishop Liborios N. Nashenda ARCHDIOCESE OF WINDHOEK P.O. BOX 2328 WINDHOEK NAMIBIA Dear Sir/ Madam: I have the honour of making this humble submission before you for your kind consideration and necessary action. I make this submission before you to request you for some financial help for constructing A Pastoral center for Ongha Pastoral District, in the archdiocese of Windhoek - Namibia. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Ongha is a young and dynamic Missionaries of St. Francis De Sales mission in the heartland of Namibia which under Apartheid and colonization was known as South West Africa. The Republic of Namibia was formerly part of the Republic of South Africa and became independent in 1990. The work of nation building has taken very slow pace for compared to other young African impoverished nations. 16 years after independence and the gap between the rich and the poor is astronomic. Thousands of families survive in abject poverty without the very basic needs. This impacts a lot on participation of the local people in the process of their evangelization. Stipends from the Christian Community are very little and hardly enough for basic liturgical provisions leave alone for the upkeep of the priest. LOCAL CONTEXT - DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA LOCATION OF THE PROJECT Parish: Ongha Archdiocese: Windhoek-Namibia Region: Ohangwena Country: Namibia GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES Ongha is a suburban area of the Northern part of Namibia. It is situated around 725 kilometers to the North of Windhoek. Namibia lies between 17 - 29 W on the Western Coast along the vast arid land in the south of the Africa Continent. It covers an area of 824,269 square kilometers. The country is bordered on the North by Angola and Zambia and in the east and south, Botswana and the Republic of South Africa respectively. The whole of the western stretch opens to the Atlantic Ocean. The geographical features can be divided into three: The Great Namibia Desert in the Western Coats, the mountainous plateau in the middle and the Kalahari Desert. The average annual rainfall is 30-40 centimeters. Soils are very arid, with minimal yield to perennial and cereal crops. POPULATION AND LIVELIHOOD - SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS Namibia has a population of about 1.9 million inhabitants. It is the least populated country after Mongolia and Botswana. Africans form 73% of the population, the colored (mixed descendants of whites and blacks) 10.5% and the rest of the population are whites. Ongha area is situated in the Northern part of the country locally known as Owamboland referring to the major ethnic group, Owambos. The local dialect however is known as Oshikwanyama. The population of Catholic Christians in Ongha Parish is around 7000. Majority of the people are farmers who depend wholly on the seasonal rains for cultivation, since natural springs are few and drinking water is extracted from wells. In the rural setup, many other Namibians rely on odd jobs and as unskilled laborers for the rich clientele (the monthly earnings for a laborer is N$ 400-00 (US$ 67-00). Inflation is very high with practically everything being imported from South Africa. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT To facilitate the process of Catechetical training and evangelization for the Christian Communities of Ongha Pastoral district. PROJECT OBJECTIVES 1. To provide conducive environment for Training and Evangelization for Christian Communities. 2. To provide infrastructure for Catechumenate and religious and on-going formation for children, youth and adults. 3. To provide adequate space for social and community development forums. 4. To enlighten the people on faith and religious practices through seminars and retreats. STATEMENT OF NEED The economic situation of the Christian Community of Ongha and neighboring villages are very poor to support evangelization initiative. The Priests daily experience in the parish is much of charity and answering on pleas for basic provisions of food, clothes to the many poor of our parish. Presently the parish has 25 outstations. The infrastructure for the current mass centers among the 25 parish outstations are bare minimum. The furthest outstation is almost 300 km away. To bring the people together in the center for a course or for a retreat there is no provision or infrastructure in Ongha Mission center. The center has a small house for the priest to stay and a small church to celebrate mass. The mission is in urgent need of a hall and other facilities to train and catechize the people of this region. They are very backward in their faith and spiritual formation. PROPOSED INTERVENTION The proposed intervention is the construction of a Pastoral center with necessary facilities to facilitate ample space for early and adult training and education, retreats and seminars, and community supported initiatives. PROJECT BENEFICIARIES The proposed Pastoral Center will be utilized by people from various outstations who will be undergoing training and seminars from various age groups. We have 112 catichists, 300 service conductors, 150 community counselors and seven unit leaders and pious organization members who are in need of occasional workshop and training. REASON FOR APPLICATION The 'Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales' (MSFS), true to their pioneering spirit in evangelization came forward 6 years ago to open a new Mission at Ongha under the Arch Diocese of Windhoek Two priests started residing in a small house and doing the mission work. As years pass by being with the people we came to know that the people are in urgent need of faith formation, retreats and other necessary trainings. To bring them together from far away places and to give them courses we have no facilities. They have no place to stay when they come for seminars and courses. We cannot train them amply with one day seminars or courses. And it is not easy for them to come every now and then for the one day seminars. Six years of hard work is slowly bearing fruit. This we can notice by the slow changes that are happening in the lifestyle and behavior of the people. The people of the village as well as those from the neighboring and far villages have become conscious about the need for good education, training on religion and faith as the most important means for the all round development of a person. The health and hygiene of the people also have improved. We would like to keep up the tempo of development and also reach out to many more people especially from the far away villages through this pastoral center. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED INFRASTRUCTURE Plan and Estimate:: The proposed Pastoral Center in Ongha Pastoral District envisages two Dormitories: one for ladies and one for gents, a hall, a Dining Room and a Kitchen. The proposed plan can accommodate 160 People. Since the church building is close to the proposed building, we do not need a separate Prayer Room. The toilets are planned as a separate block, a little away from the Boarding House. It will be 9 mts long and 5 mts wide and so will have a plinth area of 45 sqmts. six cubicles each on either side. Eight of them will be w.c.'s and the remaining four will be bathing rooms. Both the Boarding house as well as the toilet block will be built on the land belonging to the Mission. The structure will be on concrete columns with single brick walls plastered on either side with cement. The whole building will be a simple one and will be constructed by experienced contractors under the supervision of the Bishop and the Priest in charge of the Mission. Thus we are confident that we can keep the expenditure to the minimum and so are confident to complete the structure at the lowest cost with the maximum utilization of the fund. The estimate of the proposed structures will be as follows: BUDGET (Euro) Currency Exchange Rate: N$ 7.00 Equivalent to Euro: 1.00 1. Land - Local Contribution 2. Mobilization of Site = 1000.00 ..........Local Contribution = 1000.00 3. Building Material & Transportation = 70000.00..........Donation Needed = 70000.00 4. Labor Costs = 35000.00..........Donation Needed = 35000.00 6. Contingencies = 14000.00..........Donation Amount = 14000.00 TOTAL DONATION NEEDED..............................119000.00 Conclusion: This Project will bring cheer to every Member in the Pastoral district because they are getting a permanent basis by ensuring a good Faith formation and education through the pastoral center. Without it, the mission will remain handicapped. Apart from good education and training, the mission can conduct retreat for various group which is the need of the time. It will give a better discipline in many respects, not the least among them being a good foundation in their faith and religious practices. The people of Ongha Pastoral District and mission will be very grateful if you can kindly consider this project application favorably and help us. Your help will go a long way in imparting Faith formation in this area, especially for the youth and indirectly for the development of their families and of the area as a whole. Hoping that you will kindly help us in realizing this project and looking forward to hear from you positively Thanking you in anticipation and with every good wish, Fr. Thomas Joseph Vanderkunnel, MSFS Parish Priest R.C. Mission, Ongha Namibia |
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Roman Catholic Church Namibia |  |