Our vision is to be a leading African institution of higher learning that fully recognizes and actively professes the human value and dignity of all society members, including people with disabilities...
Our vision is to be a leading African institution of higher learning that fully recognizes and actively professes the human value and dignity of all society members, including people with disabilities...
In 2005, a delegation from SEPA visiting our companion synod, the North East Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, heard a dream from the Rev. Dr. Anneth Munga -- a college on the territory of the diocese that would help train badly needed special needs educators and other professionals.
A team from SEPA sprang into action and began working on Dr. Munga's dream. Special education experts began working with leaders of what would become the Sebastian Kolowa University College of Tumaini University developing curriculum. Individuals and congregations donated books and thousands of dollars to futher the effort. SEPA volunteers helped to design the technological infrastructure for the new college. Buildings were renovated to serve as classrooms, computer labs and dormitories.
In the fall of 2007 SEKUCo opened, and in its first year enrolled 137 students. The following fall nearly 400 students enrolled, with programs in law as well as special needs education, and work was begun renovating a second campus.
In 2009, the curriculum will expand to include business and eco-tourism, and 600 students are anticipated.
It is evident that God has a plan for SEKUCo and for SEPA's partnership with this college. Explore the links on this page to learn how you and yoru congregation can help advance SEKUCo's mission and vision
Sebastian Kolowa University College (SEKUCo) in our companion synod in Tanzania began its fifth year of operation in October with 1,584 students enrolled. What began with 138 first-year students has grown more than 1000 percent. The first group of students who graduated last December have for the most part found productive jobs as teachers, administrators, and other professionals working to improve the lives of students with special needs. Download the latest SEKUCo newsletter after the jump.
On Dec. 4, our companion Tanzanian diocese's Sebastian Kolowa University College (SEKUCo) will graduate its first class of 135 students. Thanks to generous support from individuals and congregations in the Southeastern PA Synod, the university has expanded, with more than 1,300 students enrolled this fall.
"The opportunity to bring the Word of God and to baptize in the name of the Triune God in a place far away, to a people foreign to my culture, in a language not my own, was one of the highlights of my call as a pastor and a bishop," Bishop Burkat writes about her recent safari to visit our compaion synod in Tanzania. "This was truly a time when distance narrowed, offering a glimpse into God’s amazing grace!" Click to read the Bishop's message and a diary of the journey.
The offering at the Service of Holy Communion opening the 2010 Synod Assembly will be shared between Sebastian Kolowa University College (SEKUCo) in Tanzania and the Synod Mission Fund. If you wish to write a check for the offering please make it payable to "Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod."
The Sebastian Kolowa University College (SEKUCo), the college of our Tanzanian companion synod, now has 824 students. Most of those enrolled are in the special needs education program, which is the only one of its kind in Tanzania. Rapid growth, while welcome, poses some challenges for the new college, with many students needing off campus housing and the libraries and classrooms requiring expansion.
A complete report of the 2012 Synod Assembly, along with video highlights, a downloadable newsletter insert, photos and preliminary minutes of the Assembly are now available online. Find links after the jump.
It’s a long way from Liberia to East Lansdowne, but over that distance God planted and nurtured a small worshipping community in a refugee camp into a thriving Lutheran Church officially welcomed at the 2012 Assembly.