Raimund Hertzsch and Bettina Nasgowitz from Herrnhuter Missionshilfe visited partner projects in Tanzania and Zanzibar in recent weeks and met with church leaders from various provinces. Raimund Hertzsch was impressed by the progress made by the projects in recent years and thanked the dedicated local partners as well as the team in Germany and all those who support them. He was particularly moved by the cheerfulness and gratitude of the people despite many challenges, the great hospitality, and the lively church services with their impressive choir music. During their trip, the two also accompanied students during their internships at hotels in Marumbi and Uroa on Zanzibar. Thanks to HMH scholarships, many of them are able to study at the Herrnhut Academy vocational school, where they gain important practical experience for their future careers.

At Atsikana Walani Technical College (AWTC) in Malawi, the team received reinforcement at the start of the new school year: four new teachers will support the students' education and bring new professional impetus to the classroom. Princess Chirwa (psychology), Skeda (communication and entrepreneurship), Peter Scott (plumbing), and Caroline M'gunda (technical drawing) are dedicated professionals who are expanding the faculty. They bring not only knowledge and experience, but also a great deal of motivation to accompany young women on their educational journey. Together with the existing team of teachers, they will help to further strengthen the education at AWTC and open up important professional and personal prospects for the students. We are very pleased about the new additions and wish our new colleagues a good start and every success in their work.

On February 28, 2026, one week before World Day of Prayer on March 6, a large ecumenical celebration service was held at Teofilo Kisanji University (TEKU) of the Moravian Church in Mbeya, Tanzania. Radio Baraka FM reported on the event. See here. The service began with a long procession from Kabwe to TEKU Hall. The service was preceded by a women's conference with the participation of the Moravian Church, led by Mennonite Esther Muhagachi, which focused on the contribution of churches to social peace and world peace. The conference theme was Matthew 11:28-30, the “call of the Savior.” In his welcoming address, politician Solomon Itunda emphasized: “Let us abolish hatred and strive for a pure religion that pleases God. Let's start with our families. No violence against children and women!” Dr. Moses Matonya, Secretary General of the Christian Council of Tanzania, also gave a welcoming address.

The Unity Women's Desk (UWD) reminds us in a Facebook post of a triad of events that can be interwoven by women from the Moravian Church: The entire month of March 2026 has been declared Moravian History Month by the UWD, during which women's issues will be discussed and women's stories told. On March 6, World Day of Prayer is celebrated in many places, with women in particular extending invitations. In addition, March 8 has been recognized globally as International Women's Day since 1921. The UWD would like to give Moravian History Month a special motto in 2026: Give To Gain - Together, let's help forge gender equality through abundant giving. Once again, the UWD calls on women in the worldwide Moravian Church to faithfully participate in the ecumenical campaign “Thursdays in Black.” More here. In Germany, March 8 is a statutory holiday in the federal states of Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

On International Women's Day on March 8, 2026, the Unity Women's Desk posted a provocative message: a United Nations list of countries around the world where gender equality prevails. However, the list is empty. See here. At the same time, the Unity Women's Desk commemorated Dr. Louise de Schweinitz-Darrow, a physician born in 1897 and a decendant of Count Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf. During her 99-year life and successful career, Dr. Louise de Schweinitz-Darrow first worked at a counseling center for pregnant women, then as a physician at Yale University, specializing in pediatrics and advocating for sex education in schools. Later, she worked as an assistant professor of pediatrics in the children's department of the University of Kansas Medical Center. In addition to her medical work, she was also passionate about politics, namely the US women's suffrage movement. Pictures and more text here.

“Leave your comfort zone and work as a volunteer for six months for the Brødremenighedens Danske Mission. Spend time with children and young people at the Peters House orphanage in Sumbawanga, Tanzania.” This is how the Herrnhut Mission in Denmark advertises its vounteer program. It goes on to say: "One of the volunteers' tasks is to organize interesting activities and games for the children after school so that they have something fun to do at home. You will also have the opportunity to teach English to boys at a carpentry school and girls at a nursing school. Your daily routine can also be filled with other projects such as street children projects, visits to nurseries and orphanages, and various practical tasks. You will also have the opportunity to spend time with your fellow volunteers according to your own interests and abilities." See here. Contact Signe Kruse, email: sk@bdm-dk.dk.

The Carl-Richard-Frowein School of the Moravian Church in Paramaribo, Suriname, was founded on March 1, 1951. It was established because the Graf-von-Zinzendorf School could no longer accommodate the large number of children eager for education. The new school, the second MULO school of the Moravian Church (Meer Uitgebreid Lager Onderwijs – elementary school with additional educational content), was inaugurated on February 28, 1951, by the then church president and bishop Johannes Raillard from Switzerland – 75 years ago. Johannes Raillard named the school Carl-Richard-Frowein-Schule because of the special services rendered by its namesake. He was the first general inspector for the Moravian Church's schools. Frowein's appointment marked a turning point in the educational work of the Moravian Church in Suriname. The Hernhutter schools began to flourish. In 1911, Frowein retired, moved to the Netherlands, and never returned to Suriname. See here.

Children do not necessarily learn a language best when they sit on a chair at a table for over an hour and a half. Teachers at the Moravian Church schools in Suriname have also come to this conclusion. That is why they now want to adopt an initiative to promote movement in the classroom, which was invented in the Netherlands and is promoted by fitteropschool.nl. After all, there is no denying that physical activity contributes to the health and motivation of learners. One program from “fitteropschool.nl” combines learning vocabulary and mastering spelling with children happily jumping around. See here. Another program teaches arithmetic with the help of Velcro balls that the children throw into a target area. See here. Johann Amos Comenius already knew that body, mind, and soul form a unity. Learning should not be strenuous, but fun.

On Saturday, February 21, 2026, the church's first official vehicle was handed over in Bujumbura in front of the headquarters of the Moravian Church in Burundi. A video can be found here. Pictures of the pickup and commissioning of the car can be found here. The handover was accompanied by a small celebration. Bishop Pascal Benimana symbolically received the car keys on behalf of the leaders of all branches of the Moravian Church in Burundi. The car bears the emblem of the Moravian Church three times, the lamb with the victory flag. Although the car that was actually desired could not be purchased for cost reasons, those present were nevertheless pleased with the now more comfortable passenger and goods transport options. The following day, February 22, 2026, the pastors and administrative staff of the Moravian Church in Burundi also met in Bujumbura for a festive service and a conference. Many pictures here.

In February 2026, there were three highlights at Moravian High School in Bluefields (formerly Colegio Moravo Secundaria) in southeastern Nicaragua. On Thursday, February 12, students and teachers gathered for a school sports festival. Among other things, there was a run along the Atlantic coast. Eight pictures here. Those with less stamina could enjoy ball games and rope jumping in groups, among other activities. On Friday, February 13 (one day early), Valentine's Day was celebrated at the school with a public program. 50 pictures here. And a recycling day was scheduled for Tuesday, February 17. Students were asked to bring technical and electronic devices they no longer needed to school (no large appliances or lamps) so that they could be dismantled and reused. Invitation poster here.

• With an anachronistic, AI-generated image and the motto of the Moravian Church (Our Lamb has triumphed. Let us follow him!), the Moravian Church Cruz de la esperanza in Chiclayo, Peru, greeted its members on the 569th anniversary of the founding of the old Moravian Church on March 1, 1457. See here.
• YYolndac Brito Alvarez posted some pictures from the Moravian Church in Jagüey Grande, Cuba, which also commemorated the beginnings of the Moravian Church 569 years ago in Kunvald, Bohemia, during its worship service. See here. The sermon stated that since then, “a history full of adventure, strong faith, and perseverance has unfolded for a group of people. Priests and laypeople wanted to spread a message of love and peace throughout the world. The influence of the Moravian Church far exceeded the number of its members because it cooperated with Christians from other churches and on all continents.”