Tangaza Update(Feb 2004) Major Changes in Community Exchange

Abstract

Drastic changes have been introduced the annual Tangaza Community Exchange widely viewed as a mechanism to streamline the program. Participants are now required to apply directly to the cornmunities to be visited. They should also specify the apt dates for the visit clearly stating the intent and import of the visit. Communities will then communicate directly to the individual after a prior interview with the house superior. This is a major departure from tradition where the SRC and the office of the DPSL were responsible for the coordination. Critics however complain that" the pro- cedure is unnecessarily too bureaucratic." But the BOG visiting team on February 3 defended the changes saying applications will facilitate planning for the visitors. The same is corroborated by Mrs. Ebale, Tangaza's DPSL, who said the changes were necessary to give the program meaning. Ebale acknowledges that the exchange had lost direction. She told Update that at one time she convened a four-member committee that prescribed

stringent measures aimed at

curbing abuse of the program. However, her recommendations were replaced by the Formation Council, which proposed the current changes. Father Rolandi Giovanni