Farewell to the Baldegg Sisters


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Article, 05.04.2018

On 26 March, the Embassy of Switzerland organised a tree-planting event to pay tribute to three Baldegg sisters for their work and life commitment to the most vulnerable people in Tanzania. The three sisters, Sr. Winfrieda, Sr.Josephata and Sr. Stefanie, have returned to Switzerland after more than 50 years of service. The orange trees, planted in the Embassy’s gardens, will remain a living memory of their presence in Tanzania.

Amb. Florence Tinguely Mattli (2nd left) with Swiss missionaries and their colleagues.
Amb. Florence Tinguely Mattli (2nd left) with Swiss missionaries and their colleagues. © FDFA

The Swiss Baldegg sisters first arrived in Tanzania in 1921, together with the Capucine sisters. Since then, they have worked extensively across the country mainly in the health and education sectors. The Swiss Baldegg order founded a dispensary in Ifakara in 1927 and added a maternity ward in 1937, which later became the St Francis Hospital, today a designated district hospital for Kilombero district in Morogoro Region. The sisters also opened primary and secondary schools, and founded two other congregations: The Mahenge Sisters and the Dada Wadogo. Both of them are carrying on the work of the Baldegg sisters. 

The Embassy has always welcomed with great pleasure the Baldegg sisters and other missionaries to the 1st of August celebration at the Swiss Residence. While three sisters are still remaining in Tanzania, we wish our compatriots who returned back home a peaceful and well deserved retirement in the Baldegg Convent!