MINISTRY TO THE SICK

• Flying Medical Service started in 1983 as an initiative of Spiritans and Spiritan Associates. It was in response to critical medical needs among the Maasai and Sonjo when the border closed between Tanzania and Kenya , depriving people in remote areas of the regular services of the Flying Doctors of Kenya. Flying Medical Service is a strictly non-profit organization which provides regular preventive, curative and health-related education service, primarily in north-central Tanzania . All our staff are volunteers. FMS also provides air transport for medical emergencies throughout East Africa . During the several refugee crises from Rwanda , Burundi , and Congo , it has been instrumental in providing medical logistical care to the refugee camps in western Tanzania . It has been offering these services from Arusha airport for the last 24 years.

The East African Province (EAP)

The East African Province came into the existence from the East African Foundation. The beginnings were neither easy nor clear and there were some hesitations on the part of the administration, though eventually there emerged a keen interest in the emerging Foundations in East Africa . In April 1972, Fr.Joseph Lecuyer, the then Superior General visited Tanzania and met with the District Superiors of Eastern Africa at Usa River . During this meeting it was agreed that the Foundation would become a joint responsibility of the Superiors of Eastern Africa: of the Districts of Kilimanjaro, Bagamoyo and Kenya . Fr. Tom Tunney was elected Superior of the new Foundation. When Fr. Lecuyer returned to Rome , he wrote a letter on May 29, 1972 that authorized the establishment of a Novitiate for the East African Foundation.