John Mkenda

2003-Students and faculty journeyed to Tanzania and Kenya for a cross-cultural learning experience in which they spent time local village life, visited schools and trade schools, and spent time with a Midland alum, John Mkenda, who lives in Tanzania.
...
His name is John Mkenda and he graduated from Midland in 1965. Mkenda comes from the village of Kotela on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. A man of deep faith, Mkenda has devoted much of his life to serving others, especially the marginalized young people of Tanzania who have limited levels of education.

Midland Lutheran College alumnus John Mkenda, `65, will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree during commencement ceremonies at 10 a.m., May 18 in Hopkins Arena.

Mkenda is from Marangu, Tanzania, where he is an active member of Kotela Lutheran Church in the Northern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania.The Northern Diocese is a companion synod with the Nebraska Synod.

Since graduating from MLC and returning to his native land, Mkenda has worked to give hope to people in an impoverished nation.

He uses his own limited financial resources along with gifts from others to provide tuition free education to students at the school he started.He teaches various skills including vehicle mechanics, welding, carpentry, turning and fitting, English and math.He also runs a sewing school.His students learn how to market their products.

He embodies the faith and values that reflect Midland Lutheran College, says a Midland press release.

Mkenda earned a bachelor's degree in accounting.He worked as chief accountant for TPC, a sugar manufacturing concern, until 1978 when he started the trade schools.

Mkenda is proud of Tanzania and has a deep concern about the environment and his nation.

Mkenda and his wife, Beata, have five adult children.

Related Links

Mkenda holds a necklace that will be for sale.Such items were made by some of the unwed mothers he works with in Tanzania. - Carolyn Gibbs/Fremont Tribune
...
John Mkenda had an opportunity to attend Midland Lutheran College in the early 1960s.

Today, Mkenda provides opportunities for youths in his homeland of Tanzania.

Mkenda recently returned to Fremont for a visit and to raise money to help young people who might not otherwise have productive futures.

The path Mkenda took toward helping others began after he graduated from Midland in 1965.He went back to Tanzania, where he became an accountant for a large company.Eventually, however, Mkenda realized he didn't like his job any more.So he started on a new path.He since has opened two schools in Tanzania where youths can learn such skills as welding, carpentry and sewing.

"We try to institute trades that are marketable," Mkenda said.

His efforts are paying off.
...
Mkenda said Tanzania is a land rich in minerals, but large companies - mainly from South Africa - dominate Tanzanian commerce.

And the money doesn't seem to be diverted to the schools.

"Poverty here is getting worse.These companies come in and take over our industries and mines.The company officials have big houses, but the people in Tanzania can't afford aspirin at the hospital and schools don't have chalk," Mkenda said.

Tanzanian youths go to school for six or seven years, but only 30 percent have a chance to further their education.Those left with nothing to occupy their time can get caught up in drugs of all kinds, excessive drinking, burglary and prostitution.

To help the students, Mkenda opened one school in a small town and the other in the country.He is using facilities provided by his Lutheran church in Tanzania.

At times, Mkenda has been known to do all the teaching, but he has six other workers.

About 50 youths a year benefit from Mkenda's schools.Some of the youth he reaches are within the church, but he also reaches those outside of the area.

Students who attend his schools not only learn job skills, but also get to participate in sports such as soccer, volleyball and Tanzania's form of football.Mkenda is taking instruction in wood carving while in Nebraska from Pathfinder Carvers.He will add what he is learning to the curriculum at his schools.

"They ( Pathfinder Carvers ) gave me some tools and I bought some, and that should be enough to get my youth started," Mkenda said.

Evangelists also come in to the schools and provide Mkenda's students with Christian education, and seminars pertaining to problems youth face are also provided.

Mkenda believes programs offered through his schools help provide students with direction and something to work for.

"Most of the youth, after they get some qualifications and training, go to the city and get jobs," Mkenda said."We don't want them in the village, because there are too many problems in the village."

The greatest thrill for Mkenda is to see students succeed.

"Some come back and thank us.Some now drive their own cars.I don't even have a car.Some will drive by and wave at me. We're happy that we can do that much for them," Mkenda said.

Students who attend Mkenda's schools don't pay tuition.So, Mkenda's schools raise their own funds.Some funds come from his country and some from outside the nation.

Two years ago, Mkenda returned to Fremont to receive an honorary doctorate for his work with Tanzanian youths.

Now, he's back again.

"This time I've come to see my friends.We also are trying to raise money to support my schools," Mkenda said.

Mkenda has been receiving school supplies, such as books and paper.He said he also needs pencils and chalk.

While he has been in the Fremont area to raise funds for those youth, he has had a number of speaking engagements.He has a few more before he leaves July 14 to go home.
...
Kocher will introduce Mkenda at intermission, and a freewill offering will be taken.
...
Mkenda said he has enjoyed his stay, and visiting his Midland College classmates.

"I want to say ‘hello' to the people who have been so hospitable to me," he said."I think I am blessed."

Speaking facts

Additional speaking engagements for John Mkenda include: