The Centre’s 168 acres of farmland have fed 75 children, staff, volunteers, and religious brothers and sisters for 40 years. Its tractor, purchased in 2001, is its only piece of mechanized farming equipment, and breaks down frequently. Each repair costs around $500, and replacement parts can take months to arrive from Dar es Salaam.

Last June, the tractor broke down mid-harvest, and crops had to be gathered entirely by hand. It still works, though inconsistently, but a final breakdown would pose a serious threat. All operations, including ongoing building projects, would stop, and most manpower would be redirected to hand-farming and transporting crops. The Centre could manage, but progress would stall indefinitely.

The tractor is used for farming, transporting construction materials and animal feed, maintaining roads, and preventing soil erosion. It’s essential not only for food production, but for the Centre’s ability to operate at all.

With Br. Gaudence overseeing its purchase and transport from Dar es Salaam, a new 110 HP 4WD tractor would cost $60,000 and be sourced from John Deere or Case IH in Tanzania. This life-changing investment would successfully secure the Centre’s food supply and operational capacity for the next 25 to 30 years.

This is a long-term goal, and funding will take time—but every donation makes a tangible difference in bringing it to reality.

Tractor Fund

One tractor. 168 acres. Food security for 30 years.