Lushoto: A group of Catholic religious sisters in Tanzania is using television and social media to bring the Gospel to a wider audience, especially young people who increasingly rely on digital platforms for information, education and communication.
The Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Usambara, known as COLU, has made media evangelization an important part of its mission through the creation of Usambara Mountain TV, or UMTV. The television initiative was launched in July 2024 in Lushoto, in the Tanga region.
The sisters believe modern communication can help the Church reach people who may not be physically close to its schools, churches or religious communities.
Through television, YouTube and social media, UMTV provides programmes about Catholic teaching, faith, youth issues and wider social concerns. The content is intended to help people learn more about their faith while also creating opportunities for discussion and reflection.
Sr. Paulina T. Mshana, director of UMTV, said the use of television and the internet has allowed the sisters to extend their mission beyond the communities where they work.
The congregation was founded in 1954 by Monsignor Eugen Arthurs of the Rosminian Fathers. Its early mission was centred on evangelization and education. The sisters later developed a broad apostolate that included education from kindergarten to college, catechesis and the formation of young people.
The congregation began its work in Rangwi before moving to Korogwe, Kwamndolwa, in Tanga. Rangwi remains its original mother house.
For the sisters, the move into media represents a new way of continuing the same mission in a changing society.
Young people are among the main audiences for UMTV. Many follow its programmes through social media and YouTube, where the channel discusses faith, society and issues affecting young people. Some programmes are also inspired by the spirituality of Don Bosco and focus on education and youth development.
The sisters themselves are directly involved in the technical work behind the programmes. They operate cameras, edit programmes and help produce content for viewers.
Sr. Paulina has spoken about the importance of challenging traditional ideas about the roles women can play in media production. She believes religious sisters can use technical skills such as camera operation to communicate the Gospel and serve the wider community.
The project has also received support from other members of the Catholic Church. Br. Lucas Masasi, an OFM Capuchin, has contributed to UMTV and witnessed its development from a small YouTube initiative into a more organized television platform.
UMTV does not focus only on religious programmes. Its content also covers culture, music, spirituality and basic life skills. This wider approach allows the station to serve as an educational resource for people who may access its programmes from their homes.
However, the sisters face several difficulties as they develop the project. Limited equipment and financial resources make production challenging. Reliable internet access and the cost of digital devices can also prevent some people from following online programmes.
Power interruptions are another problem. Without sufficient backup systems, electricity outages can disrupt production and broadcasting.
The congregation has also had to help some of its members understand the importance of media in modern evangelization. This has required greater awareness and formation within the community.
Despite these challenges, the sisters remain committed to expanding their presence in the digital world. They see television and social media not simply as communication tools, but as new spaces where people can encounter the message of the Gospel.
Their experience shows how religious communities are adapting traditional forms of evangelization to the changing ways people communicate. For COLU, reaching young people means meeting them not only in classrooms and churches, but also on television screens, smartphones and social media platforms.
As the congregation continues developing UMTV, its wider goal remains the same: to educate, encourage young people and help people discover and deepen their relationship with God through accessible and meaningful communication.