by Sr. Margaret Anne Meyer MMM                                   USA                     13.05.2026

A sign of new life in Tanzania was the opening of Ngaramtoni House just outside of Arusha town There was ample space for MMMs to be together for assemblies and retreats. Sr. Consolata Rhatigan, Regional Superior at the time, did an exceptionally excellent job, planting flowers around the house and providing a beautiful landscape. One could sit in the garden and have a good look at Mt. Meru in the distance. It seemed to be only a few miles away. I never saw such amazing birds. I especially liked a bird called the green bee-ant eater. The bird had glowing green and brown feathers with a reddish head and yellow throat and was delightful to behold.
We all loved going there.
A good chance for me to go there came in November 1985. Fourteen MMMS from various houses went there on retreat. It was a valuable experience for us all.
When I returned from the retreat to Makiungu we had a new lay doctor. Dr. Judith Galvin was very welcomed and joined in our medical and community life with great enthusiasm. She proved to be a valuable asset to our medical team. She lived in the original convent quarters in the house built for us by the Pallotine Fathers in the early fifties.

Further down the compound, Sr. Margaret O Connor had built staff houses in rows of a 2-unit complex which were wonderfully comfortable.

We also welcomed Joe and Nessa Breen, and their three lovely children, Rebecca, Stephen and Freida, aged six, four and two.

Joe had come to supervise the building of our new outpatient department. The present building was becoming too small for the increasing number of patients who travelled by bus from Singida each day and also coming from other distant towns in various modes of transport including wheelbarrows. The building had also suffered some structural damage during the earthquake which I previously mentioned.

We really enjoyed their family company at our festive celebrations and everyday life. The children were a delight. The next year, the oldest child, Rebecca, made her First Communion in our chapel. She looked radiantly happy and beautiful inn her white dress. She gave us immense joy with her faith in Jesus. Stephen was soon speaking Gaelic and Swahili with the local children. The youngest child was a bundle of joy. A new addition was added to the family before they left for Ireland. Mary Jo was delivered to our new Maternity Hospital on October 24, 1986.

Soon after, our beloved midwifery tutor, Sr. Mary Donato returned to USA and was replaced by Sr. Sheila Devane. She also did amazing work but that is another story.