The Update (Thank You, Tangaza Workers!)
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Date
2017-05
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Tangaza University College
Abstract
A
t Tangaza, May is normally a time for completing
exams,
celebrating graduations,
preparing for new assignments and beginning
some weeks of rest and relaxation. In Kenya,
however, as in many parts of the world, the
month begins with “Labour Day”, also known
elsewhere as “International Workers’ Day”.
The Catholic Church even came up with its
own version in 1955 when Pope Pius XII dedicated
May
1 to “St.
Joseph
the Worker”,
honouring
him as the patron saint of all workers.
So it seems an appropriate opportunity
to
express
our appreciation
of
our own
workers
at Tangaza.
I
can say that so
many
first-time
visitors
to
our
campus
are
deeply
impressed by the beauty of our grounds, the fine condition of
our buildings, the excellence of our academic resources
and educational technology, the friendliness and professionalism
of our staff, and the general welcoming atmosphere.
One of my predecessors, Fr.
Tim
Redmond, liked
to
quote a visiting Maasai
elder who
looked around
our
compound
and
declared: “Even
the
trees
are
happy
here!”
None of this would be possible without the tireless
efforts
of
our
staff
members,
those we see every day
tending our gardens and fields, cleaning the sidewalks,
corridors and classrooms, making sure that we have photo-
copying, water, electricity and other supplies, connecting
us to the internet, fixing our computers and maintaining
our website, driving our vehicles, running the best theological
library
in
this part of
the world,
serving us as receptionists,
secretaries, counselors, immigration officers and
security guards, working in the offices of Administration,
Registry, Marketing, Human Resources, Campus Ministry
and Finance. Tangaza is only possible because of the combined
efforts
of
all
our
staff,
whatever
their
place
in
the
organizational
structure.
How often
do we remember to say
“thank
you”?
This
month would be a good time to
do so.
Recently, a new group known as the “Kenya Private
Universities Workers
Union” (KPUWU) has
been
eagerly trying to recruit additional members from all of
the Kenyan private universities and constituent colleges.
May 2017
They have already visited our Tangaza staff, and will come
again this month to answer further questions about their
organization. Certainly as a Catholic institution we embrace
the
church’s
teaching that
workers
have “the
right
to
form associations and unions” to promote their
interests
(see
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church,
nos. 305-307). Indeed, our proposed university charter
and statutes
already provide
for the establishment of
a
“University Staff Welfare Association” which we hope
to launch in the near future. My own view as Principal is
that our Tangaza workers should be left free to make their
own choices after fully informing themselves, without undue
pressure to join or
not to join any
particular group.
But whatever anyone decides, I personally want
to express my gratitude to all our workers. Though we
don’t acknowledge it often enough, you are the backbone
of this institution. Tangaza
is not perfect. There
are
tasks
we can do better and
areas to
improve. But
I am
convinced
that,
working together,
we can make
Tangaza
one of the great universities in Kenya. And
although
our
resources are
limited,
Tangaza
will
always
do
what
it
can to promote the welfare of the workers who promote
our
welfare so
much. Asanteni
sana
to all of
you!
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Keywords
Thank You, Tangaza Workers!, Success Stories, University Mtaani, Inclusive Washrooms, Visiting the August House, New TANSA Team