In 1984 Shinyanga Region in Western Tanzania suffered a very severe drought and
resulting famine.  Priests and catechists reported the emergency situation that
they witnessed in the local parishes, outstations and villages.  Bishop Castor
Sekwa of Shinyanga Diocese (who was himself a member of the Sukuma Ethnic Group)
and other leaders realized that the situation was bad, but didn’t understand how
bad. 

    One of the
Maryknoll missionary priests, Ken Thesing, told the bishop that after
celebrating the Eucharist in an outstation in Ndoleleji Parish he
was not served the customary Sukuma meal of chicken and ugali (stiff
cooked corn meal), but only uji ( thin porridge or gruel).  The local
Christians literally did not have any food for their special guest.  The bishop
was astounded and shocked, knowing the deep Sukuma tradition of hospitality that
says that a special meal is always prepared for the guest or visitor.  This
critical incident caused the bishop to realize how serious the famine was
and to launch a famine relief supplies emergency program in the diocese.