Links

Manchester Mothers' Union has links with other dioceses across the world. We pray for one another, provide practical help and organise exchange visits to keep our links alive.

Tanzania

Mothers’ Union is very active within the diocese of Kagera, with its headquarters being based at Murgwanza.

Each parish has its own Mother’s Union group that meets each week to study God’s word and to pray and encourage each other in their lives as mothers and wives running a household.

At a diocesan level there is regular teaching to the various parishes throughout the year to teach the women mothercraft skills, cooking, farming, being a wife and a local leader. The local Mother’s Union groups support and encourage each other practically, spiritually and financially as and when able. They provide a support to one another particularly in times of adversity, illness and when children are at risk.

The diocese is building a hall that will accommodate 300 people for meetings and events. They hope that the project will provide Mothers’ Union with a sustainable source of income and reduce dependency syndrome.

For more information visit www.kageradiocese.info/kagera

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Kisangani is the capital city of Orientale Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is the third largest urbanised city in the country and the largest of the cities that lie in the tropical woodlands of the Congo.

The Province of Congo has 26,904 Mothers’ Union members. Across the country members are actively involved in literacy circles, education women and young people who have missed out on formal education due to insecurity. Literacy is a vital tool to help those who are disadvantaged by conflict to discover their own resources and start to find local solutions to the poverty that they face.

Mothers’ Union members in Kisangani diocese continue to meet and pray, and have a heart for promoting Christian marriage and upholding family values. They are dedicated to building a strong community of Christians through prayer, worship and services.

They often carry out health visits in the community, and distribute articles for those in need. Bible studies are held regularly, alongside marriage courses for couples in the community.

Socially the culture does not promote women and girls. Through Mothers’ Union work churches are making strides forward in fighting against this cultural denigration of women. Along with other women and other denominations the Mothers’ Union in Kisangani diocese have been involved in campaigning for women’s rights.

Nigeria

The diocese of Awka is in the Anambra State of Nigeria.

The vision for Mothers’ Union in the diocese is to build Christian schools where children will be nurtured spiritually, and to look after the poor and the needy and to preach goodness.

Mothers’ Union has a special ministry of care and support for widows.

For more information visit www.anglicandioceseawka.org

Ghana

Sunyani is a diocese in Ghana, part of the Anglican Province of West Africa.
Mothers’ Union in Sunyani diocese are very active in different projects and programmes. Their activities include:

  • Monthly retreats
  • Prayer for newly married couples
  • Weekly prayer times
  • Evangelism
  • Formation of a girls' homework club

Working with the Ghana Health Service, they have organised a programme of vaccinations.

Papua New Guinea

The country's geography is diverse and, in places, extremely rugged. A spine of mountains, the New Guinea Highlands, runs the length of the island of New Guinea, forming a populous highlands region mostly covered with tropical rainforest. This terrain has made it difficult for the country to develop transportation infrastructure. Some areas are accessible only on foot or by plane.

Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Popondota continues ongoing activities and meetings of members and carries out a lot of outreach projects across the different diverse deaneries.

Although the main focus is on promoting stable family life and the protection of children, work is also done on raising awareness of healthy living, cancer, malaria, and midwifery. Another aim is to make the elderly feel a part of the community, addressing adult literacy levels, peace building, and empowering the rights of women and children.