Uplifting lives through integrated community development
Relief and Development Foundation (REDEF) is a registered wing of the Caritas Archdiocese of Songea. Caritas Archdiocese of Songea was established in 1976 as a development department of the Catholic Archdiocese of Songea and was registered under the society's Ordinance Act of 1954 in 1955. It has worked as development organization reaching urban and rural poor communities in the Songea and Namtumbo districts of Ruvuma region of Tanzania. Since its establishment in 1976, Caritas has had a rich history of listening to the suffering of the poor rural and urban communities in the Archdiocese of Songea and facilitating their transformation.
In 2023, REDEF was registered under the Non-Government Organization Act No. 24 of 2002 with registration No. 17NGO/R/5926 with a vision to see human development in totality. The deep moral and spiritual principles of justice, peace, love, unity and solidarity, commitment to work, good relations, participation, transparency, accountability, flexibility and spirit of devotion of Caritas Songea are still guiding REDEF today.
To facilitate integral human development and improve the life standard of the people regardless of their religion, particularly the needy through partnership and collaboration, support, training, awareness creation, capacity building, linkage, fundraising, research, lobbying, and advocacy, group formation, and strengthening.
To see human development in totality
Making a difference since our establishment
We believe that God purposely creates every human being. We value human life as a unique reward from God and so we will fight against any attempt to destroy life through practices such as abortion, manslaughter and any other means. We shall advocate and promote the rights of individuals, social groups and the society as a whole and endeavor to be gender sensitive. We shall fight against evils such as corruption which are decaying.
We shall promote peace among individuals and society as a whole. We recognize that the Archdiocese operates in an environment where there are people from different tribes, religious backgrounds and diverse political ideologies. We shall nevertheless promote a society where people respect one another and live in peace and harmony despite their tribal and religious differences. We shall also encourage people to be tolerant and have respect for each despite their different political ideologies and beliefs.
We seek to build communities where people are ready to serve one another in love and self-sacrifice. These people will have a spirit of charisma, which makes them willing to support the needy and less fortune members of our society. Our people shall live together as a family of God. We shall show the love and compassion of Christ by responding to the spiritual, society and physical needs of the people through provision of social services such as education and healthcare.
We shall build our strength on the leadership of the Archbishop supported by a team of priests, religious and lay leaders. We shall provide environment that promote good relations and encourages the participation and involvement of the clergy, religious and Laity in our ministry. We shall seek to avoid theological differences amongst our members.
We endeavor to develop a community that has positive attitude and commitment to work. We will create an environment where staffs understand their roles and responsibilities and are committed to produce worthwhile results. We will regard our work as worship to God.
We seek to build, promote and nurture good relationships among our stakeholders as well as the Governance, development agencies, funding partners and any other collaborating institutions/agencies.
The Church belongs to the people. We believe in the participation of every one as an important element for development. We seek to provide adequate information at different levels within the Church and Caritas/REDEF activities in particular.
We will be open and accountable to our stakeholders in all activities. We will seek to promote the same openness and accountability in the communities.
We are willing to make changes in order to be responsive to changes in our environment. We will provide forums for exchange and sharing ideas.
We seek to develop a community that is given to devotion and worship. We recognize in our devotions special reverence to Lady Mary, which has brought about of a pilgrimage Church.
