Möt Asiimwe: från Bukoba till Uppsala

I ett antal inlägg framöver presenterar årets internationella deltagare i Ung i den världsvida kyrkan sig själva. De är i Sverige under mars till maj. Här möter ni Asiimwe Nixon från Bukoba Tanzania som har haft sin första församlingsperiod i Uppsala.

My name is Tumuhailwe Asiimwe Nixon and I am a woman of 24 years. I was born in Kigarama village which is located at Kanyigo ward in Missenyi district in the Kagera region.

From Kigarama to Bukoba

We are ten family members; my father, my mother and eight children. I am second born in my family. I have one older sister, one younger sister and five younger brothers. My family have been supportive and they have encouraged me in my faith and studies. Currently I live in Bukoba.

When I grew up in Kigarama Kanyigo I shaped my value-teaching; respect, resilience and the importance of a community. My life in Bukoba has given me opportunities to grow, learn and experience a broader world.

Currently I work at ELCT BUKOBA HOTEL which is owned by the North Western Diocese Bukoba Municipal (DKMG). I am working as a waitress and through my work I have gained experience in hospitality, customer care and working with people from different places. I have been actively involved in church activities, especially through Youth programs where I develop a sense of responsibility, leadership, and service to others. Through this involvement I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to Sweden with the support of the church Youth Program.

My journey from a small village to an international experience reflects growth, faith, and the power of opportunity.

This journey to Sweden has been a life-changing experience. It has exposed me to a new culture, new people and different ways of life. It has also helped me grow personally, become more open-minded and to gain confidence in myself. Even while in Sweden, I carry my roots with me. The lessons from Kanyigo Kigarama and the experience from Bukoba continue to guide me. My journey from a small village to an international experience reflects growth, faith, and the power of opportunity.

My time in Uppsala

Through these program of Youth in Sweden we are staying in different in parishes but I would like to say what I have seen to my first parish. In Årsta and Salabacke churches, people teach me collaboration and cooperation. In the parish people come closer by singing and by discussing the word from the Bible. Elders give me consolation from their lives, and practical education to young people. We are coming together as a family of God.

This journey to Sweden has been a life-changing experience. It has exposed me to a new culture, new people and different ways of life

We participate in youth group meetings each Wednesday, discussing different thing which helps us to grow well in spiritually. I have also seen the way priests are conducting the services in church and I was attending a baptism of two young people. I saw the way easter services are conducted in different ways, like in Salabacke I got to attend the mass of resurrection of JESUS at night which was for two hours. I enjoyed and gained new experiences from that mass. All in all I am grateful to all people how deal with program of Youth exchange. May God bless us all. I am happy to be involved in these programs. I hope I will learn more from different people that I will meet during my period in Sweden.

– Asiimwe