(15/08/08) The United Evangelical Mission (UEM) has transferred 3,000 euros to the North-Eastern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT-NWD) to support reconstruction efforts after severe fires damaged two boys dormitories in the Secondary School »Iluhya« near Bukoba.

The first fire broke out on the evening of Sunday, 20th July. None of the students were injured because all inhabitants of the »Agagpe« complex were evacuated via the central court into safety in time. Of the fourteen rooms five completely burnt out. The high quality standard of the building, which was financed by the Evangelical Church of Westphalia, prevented further destruction, UEM General Secretary Fidon Mwombeki said. He visited the school shortly after the catastrophe during his vacation in Tanzania.

The second fire broke out in the boys’ dormatory »Tumaini« at about 2 p.m. on the following day. This time the destruction was complete. Luckily the boys were in class, therefore nobody was injured. However, the material loss is a considerable one: beds, mattresses, exercise books, notes, and personal belongings of the students were consumed by the flames.

The school remained closed for 10 days for provisional reconstruction measures. Time is pressing as many of the students have to prepare for exams in October.
The police are investigating the cause of the fire.