Living for Others
Tanzania, Africa
about LFO
Living for Others (LFO) was started in 2023 by Pastor Anna Migera and a faith filled team to serve the heartbreaking needs in their community. Nkende village is a rural village just outside of Tarime where many people experience dire poverty. LFO has partnered with Smiles of Hope in Sidney, Ohio to bring relief and new hope to their neighbors.
Smiles of Hope
Smiles of Hope is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that was founded by Dr. Lisa Alvetro over 10 years ago. The organization supports the people of the villages of Tarime and Nkende, Tanzania in East Africa. A recent project for Smiles of Hope includes partnering with the Tanzanian organization Living for Others. Living For Others is a charitable organization founded by local residents of Nkende, Tanzania who recognized the suffering of their fellow villagers. Their mission is to improve the quality of life of all residents with a major focus on access to clean water, nutritious food, adequate housing, and education.
Pastor Anna Migera
Pastor Anna works on the streets of Nkende and knows the needs and hardships of the families. Above, Anna is handing out water filters, buckets, and mugs so women in the community may filter their water. People in Nkende do not have access to clean water. Smiles of Hope financed one well in 2023 and LFO hopes to dig three more wells to address this need.
Pastor Anna Migera from Tarime, Tanzania, attended General Conference in Charlotte, NC, and was consecrated as a deaconess with the endorsement of United Women in Faith. Anna has been strengthened by her strong tribal roots, personal struggles with extreme poverty as a young adult, and rising to supervise a Methodist orphanage for over 20 years. She now hears God’s call to lead her community in many new ways and is committed to living out the Gospel story of renewal and faith in action.
In 2023, Anna became the pastor of the Gamasara Church which has grown under her caring leadership. She also started a new NGO, Living For Others, to address the many issues of poverty in her village. With the support of long time American friends, Smiles of Hope in Sidney, Ohio, she is working with an international team to change lives. In just the first year, Living For Others has been able to send 12 children to school via sponsorships, build two solid houses, and dig one well to deliver clean water to 500 people. And this is only the beginning.
Pastor Anna is connected to the area of upper New York through former volunteers at the orphanage and an extended network of friends, especially at the Saratoga UMC and the Chestertown UMC. As committed allies to Anna’s important work in her community, the Friends of Living For Others Board is excited to host Anna for the month of May. Anna is a gifted presenter who will be available to share stories and photos of her work to churches, community organizations, and interested groups of any size.
Pastor Anna’s Visit to NY State
Pastor Anna started the NGO Living for Others in 2023 to address the poverty in her local community. Her friends and supporters from the southern Adirondack area have invited her to come for the month of May and share her story with churches and community groups. Please feel free to attend an event where she will be speaking.
Sunday, May 5 – Community UMC of Chestertown, 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, May 8 – Fun with Faith Supper, Christ Church, Glens Falls, 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 11 – Potluck dinner and presentation, Cobleskill UMC, 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 12 – Cobleskill UMC, 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, May 19 – Ballston Spa UMC, 10:00 a.m.
Sunday, May 19 – Potluck dinner and presentation, Saratoga Springs, 5:00
Sunday, May 26 – East Greenbush UMC, 9:30 a.m.
If you would like to invite Anna to join your church or a small group to share her story and ministry of love to the people in northwest Tanzania, please contact:
Rev. Roy Hansen, roy777hansen@gmail.com or 607-742-9649
Pastor Anna’s Family
Anna’s family and the adopted children she supports.
The little baby is Naomi, who was born under difficult circumstances. Anna adopted the baby, and now she is the joy of Anna’s family.
In 2023, when Naomi was 2 years old, she sang a worship song at the family devotion time. So grateful, Anna thanks God who protects Naomi everyday.