All four Upendo Family Centers are in Tanzania, east Africa, located just west of Dar es Salaam and between Nigeria and Zambia. This area is the heart of the HIV epidemic in Africa that has left thousands of orphans in its wake. Touco is attempting to meet at least some of that need by supporting those children who have lost parents, grandparents and even their community.
Fr Walter S.J Msigwa from Njombe Catholic Diocese-Tanzania is a young priest assisting Father Bruno in his work. Father Walter is developing his leadership skills for future responsibilities.
2025 updates
Touco farms now due to rainy season require serious weeding and slashing to keep them clean.
The avocado trees, cassava, and pineapple farms at Ikangas and Madeke are progressing. This year, they replanted some trees at Ikangas and are now preparing to develop fire lines.
Ikangas (Total land 340 Acres) – The plan 2026 replant with same trees. Pine workers cleaning-up
Madeke (Total land 400 Acres) – Used 100 Acres, and about 300 Acres (probably may return back to the Local Gov’t)
Ibmila Update
- Future Plans: (1) Indoor Hall (2) Storage for Livestock Food (3) Pavement to the Houses (4) Uniform materials for school uniform and shoes budget to be increased from once a year to twice a year.
- Met the person who built Mafinga Chapel (Claudius Muhidze) for future building
- New Ibumila family house construction
- Music Albums – Father Bruno collecting funds (about Tshs 1M / US $ 400) exchange rate of Jan 23’2025.
- Met Michael Kabelege (General Manager), Happy Mlonganile (Head of Sewing Dept / Ironing), and Joseph Mwenda / Kevin Msigwa (Poultry Dept, as they went to Moshi Poultry Training Center (Kilacha & Agricultural Livestock Training for 6 months)
Mafinga Center
Needs to be renovated. Ronald and Greg are working on the detailed plans.
Medicine Cabinet
These centers are located in the South-West part of Tanzania in the Iringa region around the Njombe Catholic Diocese:
- Mafinga
- Uwemba
- Madeke
- Ibumila
