Let me begin this report by good news. The good news is, while in Malawi the government has outlawed all abortion practices in all hospital and health centers and has also banned all forms of contraceptives except “norplant” and “safe plan”; here in Tanzania the good news is, the government has printed a brochure for family planning in which natural family planning methods are listed as number one and the other “forms or family planning” - contraception, abortifacient and sterilization are listed as number two three and four. What does this imply to HLI Malawi and HLI Tanzania? I do not know the reasons which necessitated the government of Malawi to outlaw abortion and majority of contraceptive methods. But I guess, the contribution of HLI in educating the people of Malawi on the evil of abortion and contraception, through outreach pro-life programs that are undertaken by its “facilitators” seems to have taken root; and the government, realizing how abortion wipes out the next generation of their people, has taken stern step towards the right direction. Abortion and contraception are evils any rational human being must reject at all costs. Reading the Tanzania Ministry of Health’s brochure, “It is your choice”, I am happy and satisfied that after 17 years of HLI work in this country, we can proudly say “mission accomplished”. Throughout these 17 years, we have run programs on natural family planning to over 500,000 couples, we have talked about the devastating effects of contraceptives and abortifacients, we have taken the “Gospel of Life” to every part of this country – we are present in every diocese, reaching out to thousands and millions of people. The name “Pro-Life [HLI] Tanzania is a blessing to all God loving people and to all people of good will. It is at the same time a curse to population control organizations in the country. They simply “hate” us. At first they were treating us as people suffering from leprosy; but now we are formidable movement they are afraid of. Thanks to HLI for her continued financial support that has enabled us to fulfill all these wonders. We thank God who has so generously blessed our mission.
Radio program
Our pro-life program through Radio Maria and Radio Tumaini continued throughout the month. Thousands of people benefited from these famous Catholic Church media. We received very positive feedback from our listeners. Due to the nature of our talks, there are those who think I am a medical doctor, so I receive many questions related to health issues over my phone. There are those who think I am a priest or a pastor of some kind and when I am in television program, they call me “professor”. I receive a considerable number of questions related to pastoral care. In any case our 6 year program with Radio Maria has certainly helped the government to see the need to prioritize natural family planning in their brochure because of its scientific nature, moral dimension and health benefits derived from its use. But above all it is only natural family practice that ensures authentic marital relationships and true women rights. Over these years women gave witness on how contraceptives and abortifacients have wounded their bodies and souls.
Schools and colleges
We also had outreach programs to various schools and colleges in Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Njombe. Over 4000 students and teachers benefited from our program on abstinence and chastity. We tackled issues of abortion and contraception and HIV/AIDS and the need to adhere to Church’s moral teachings on those issues.