The Diocese of Kibondo: Church and Community Mobilization Program

The Diocese of Kibondo, inaugurated on April 29, 2012, is a dynamic entity in Tanzania’s Kigoma Region, carved out from the Diocese of Western Tanganyika. Since its inception, it has witnessed substantial growth and development. One of its key initiatives is the Church and Community Mobilization Program (CCMP), which began in September 2019.

Through CCMP, the diocese looks to train and resource local churches and communities to drive holistic transformation. The initiative addresses both spiritual and material poverty to create sustainable development through community-driven initiatives that emphasize local empowerment, enabling individuals to identify their challenges and develop their own strategies for improvement using their God-given resources.

The program has continued to gain momentum and, as of April 2025, operates in 13 parishes. These parishes represent diverse communities, each with unique strengths and challenges. The Diocese of Kibondo facilitates workshops on entrepreneurship skills, where participants are trained in resource mobilization, self-help group formation and entrepreneurship. Out of these workshops, self-help groups—primarily composed of women and youth from vulnerable families—are formed to foster community-led development rooted in trust, unity and shared purpose.

Given the high demand for financial assistance and income-generating activities, the formation of these self-help groups is crucial. But these groups are more than just financial institutions; they are hubs of empowerment, education and social transformation. Each group:

• Functions as a microfinance platform, allowing members to save money and access small loans for income-generating activities, farming or household needs.
• Provides practical training in conservation agriculture and climate-smart farming techniques, helping farmers to increase productivity while protecting their environment.
• Creates safe spaces for open dialogue on critical issues such as gender-based violence, empowering both women and men to foster a culture of respect, equality and dignity.
• Promotes the use of fuel-efficient stoves, reducing the strain on local forests and improving health in homes by minimizing indoor smoke.
• Encourages discussions on emerging community issues, from youth unemployment to food security and family well-being.

Through these groups, community members are stepping into leadership, supporting one another and becoming advocates for positive change. The self-help groups are truly becoming powerful catalysts for transformation—nurturing a sense of ownership, resilience and hope that continues to ripple across villages and parishes.

Due to the overwhelming initial success, there is a continued need for capacity-building and capital assistance to further enhance their impact and support the larger community facing financial challenges and limited access to resources. We are deeply grateful for the support of our partners, whose prayers and contributions make this work possible. We look forward to sharing more stories of transformation in the months ahead as these communities journey together toward a brighter and more sustainable future.