By Isaac Lema, Tanzania, (January 2015)- A few days before graduating for my first university degree, I received a phone call from Fr. Aidan Ulungi telling me that we needed to meet and discuss Universal Chastity Education (UCE). At that time, I did not know anything about UCE. On the 17th of October 2008, one day before our graduation, we had a meeting. It included, Fr. Urungi, myself, Leonard, and Bathsheba. In that meeting, Fr. Ulungi explained to us about his trip to Uganda, where he visited the UCE Uganda program. I became very interested in the work UCE was doing. After serving God in college through various ministries, I saw it as an opportunity to serve God on another level. Together, we agreed to start UCE in Tanzania, and I dedicated my time and energy in Dar es Salaam to register UCE as a non-governmental organization. Fr. Aidan volunteered to pay for my transport and the registration cost. All of us pledged to be volunteers in spreading the chastity message, and take no salary. We would have to find jobs to support ourselves while spreading the Good News.
In February of 2009 UCE was registered. At that time, I was working as a counselor in a health insurance company in Dar es Salaam. I had to leave the job for UCE. I remember my employer told me, “You will come back and beg me for this job.” I whispered to my soul, she does not know who I am.
I returned to Iringa with the UCE registration certificate. Though I had no job at that time, I was so happy to work with UCE. I started reading books and pamphlets concerning abstinence, chastity, and true love. I found myself filled with the UCE spirit, and started to educate others about chastity. Whenever I was with other youth, I would introduce a UCE message and observe their reactions. Day by day I became stronger and more motivated to educate others with this wonderful message. Our first outreach was conducted on the 7th of April 2009. I prepared a power point presentation, and I was very impressed with the response of the youth. The youth were so happy and filled with hope. I realized then that we needed to reach many more young people with the UCE message.
Students during the 1st UCE Tanzania outreach
Isaac demonstrating to youth about true love
Days passed, and on the 25th of June 2009, we had our second outreach. I became stronger, and I started to see my dreams come true through UCE. A light shined through us, and we continued to reach many youth. Shortly after, we were visited by Drs. Ken and Kim Dernovsek (UCE co-founders). I learned many new things during their stay with us, and I was happy to see how they incorporated their professional skills and their faith in daily life. They helped us to incorporate medical and scientific fact into our UCE outreaches. Now, whenever I attend a seminar or class session I usually ask myself how this topic can be incorporated into the vision and mission of UCE. The same year in December of 2009, we had our first seminar. Mr. Andrew, who now is the UCE executive director, attended, and was another person who added fuel on my flames. He inspired me a lot, and I learned many things from his experience of living in a culture of death in Lesotho. He encouraged me day and night, and I realized that my effort and dedication to the UCE program was not in vain.
Through UCE I was able to utilize my talents and abilities. Moreover, when I saw this happening I applied for a job in Iringa so that I could volunteer well in the UCE program. I got a job, and introduced the UCE message where I was working. I was an administrator. This gave me the opportunity to share the message with all the other workers, and even with clients. Through many UCE outreaches, I became stronger and stronger. I improved with each outreach. So many good things were taught and delivered to the students, and they loved the message. I began to see that we needed more time during the outreach and with follow-ups to keep the youth strong in their chastity commitments. We continued to hold day long seminars for the students, and form UCE Chastity Clubs at the schools. Still, some were unable to attend these gatherings, and so I said to myself, it is time to review our UCE programs.
Outreach with Drs. Ken and Kim
ED delivering UCE message in a seminar
Delivering UCE message during the seminar
Explaining the importance of abstinence
During the process of reviewing our UCE programs in the year 2010, I had an opportunity to join a college for further studies. I shared it with the rest of the team, and we decided to have a meeting to discuss the way forward. We decided that I should go to Dar es Salaam to further my studies. I assured them that I would make the 10 hour trip (one way) to Iringa, and use my weekends and holidays to work for UCE. At first they did not believe me, but after they saw how things were moving they were happy. After being enrolled in college, I found myself thinking about how my message would reach the students while I am away. I had an idea to publish books with the UCE message. So, during my week days, in between studies, I was working on books and on weekends I joined the UCE team in action. The books have managed to cover a wide range of topics within the UCE message. They have been used by UCE clubs, volunteers, and other organizations (such as: prolife). They help to ensure that good standards have been met in delivering the message.
As the word of God says in John 12:26 “If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” After working and dedicating my life to serve God through UCE, and to being a role model for others, in 2013 I was blessed to start a marriage journey with Emeline. I introduced the UCE idea to her and she was very interested. She shared her testimony of two men who left her because she stood on the principle of abstinence until marriage. We were really blessed to have each other as friends. We signed our commitment cards to abstain, as fiancées. In March 2014, she participated in a UCE outreach. We stood together and gave our testimony as an example for others. We shared our testimony, and touched the lives of many college students.
On the 8th of August 2014, we were married, and are now living a faithful life as a husband and wife. We are very grateful to the UCE board of directors and the executive director. You have been our guardians through your endless encouragement, support, dedication, and prayers. Through UCE I was able to stand. After I was able to stand, I was then able to help others in need of healthy lives and hope through chastity. I thank you for the award you gave me in my wedding day. It reminds me I have more lives to save every day. I found myself thinking and planning ahead to make sure that UCE is known everywhere in Tanzania. Who am I to deserve all this? I dedicate this award to all the youth in Tanzania. It is my joy to see so many youth choose chastity. It is my wish to see them, after abstaining, developing good, healthy relationships, and having a good happy married life.
Isaac and Emeline on 8th August 2014
Receiving award from UCE ED, Mr. Andrew
As a young emerging married couple, we expect to be the first ones in Tanzania to sign chastity commitment cards in marriage (to live faithfully to one another). We will continue to reach people through the UCE couples and family program that will be launched in 2015. We have dedicated our lives to be pioneers of this program. Many married couples in Tanzania face a lot of challenges, and the majority have nowhere to run too. By the grace of God, may they run to the shelter of the UCE message. From my experience as a trained counselor, I have worked with many couples in resolving their problems. I thank God for giving me another opportunity to serve Him with this program. It is our prayer that the will of God will be fulfilled with this program.
In five years (2009 – 2014), the UCE team in Tanzania has reached more than 70,000 young people in Tanzania. More than 190 outreaches have been conducted where 56,222 youth have chosen chastity, to abstain until a faithful marriage. As the word of God says in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” It is time to see UCE programs in Tanzania flourishing on another level. We believe we can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). We are grateful to UCE global executive director for initiating the Prayer Warriors and for his valuable suggestion of praying as a team before and after each outreach. Through this, mountains have been moved, and we rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ in our daily activities.
God bless UCE
God bless Tanzania
Mr. Isaac S. Lema
UCE Tanzania Programs Officer
God bless Tanzania
Mr. Isaac S. Lema
UCE Tanzania Programs Officer
The all volunteer team in Tanzania needs your support. As Isaac has said, the team is planning on expanding their programs this year. You can help them by donating here. Please let us know if you would like your donation to go towards a specific project (outreach, seminar, club, country, etc.) by emailing contact@uceglobal.org. Thank you!
