For majority Tanzanians February 12, 2024 was just a 43rd day of the year in a Gregorian calendar, for Theresia Seda, this was a memorable day when she shook hand with the most influential person in the world asking her to pray for him, the action which reawakened her long raid dream to be a powerful and influential person in the country, thanks to president Samia Suluhu Hassan.
President Samia in landed in the Vatican on February 11th, following the direct invitation from the Pope and was accompanied by leaders from Tanzania’s Catholic Church made up of youth, men and women congregation groups, amongst them was little Theresia
She picked Theresia as part of the delegation in the visit to Holy See where President Samia and Pope Francis had bilateral talks on strengthening collaboration in providing health and education services, as well as promoting global peace and regional understanding.
The chairperson of the Pontifical Society of the Holly Childhood in the Dar es Salaam Catholic Archdiocese, like many lay Catholics had a dream of stepping in the Holy See and probably attending a mass celebrated by the Pontiff himself. It never appeared to her that she will one day sit face to face with the Holy Father, greet and shake hand with him let alone having a chit chat.
“It’s something that you cannot easily explain, meeting the Holy Father and asking me to pray for him! I felt like am in heaven, this is the day that will be engraved in my memory forever,” recalls Theresia.
The resident of Nyakasangwe – Msigani Street, Wazo area in the outskirts of Dar es Salaam, pours million of heartfelt appreciations to President Samia for the decision to include her in the delegation to the seat of Vicar of Christ. She says since the Pontiff asked her to pray for him she does so twice a day and including the President Samia in her prayers.
“The best way I can thank Madam President is to pray for her, I do it during my morning and evening prayers, she had sown a seed in me from which I am certain great things will germinate in me, because she has rejuvenated my long life dreams, I really appreciate her inclusive leadership style.”
The inspiring ambition of young Theresia perfectly illustrates how President Samia Suluhu Hassan embodies the role of a nurturing mother and a devoted leader of Tanzania. Through her compassionate governance, President Samia has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to touch the hearts of people across all walks of life by taking tangible actions in every aspect of national life. She is not just a leader for the present but one who leaves an indelible mark on the lives of those she leads, shaping a legacy that will endure for years to come.
The then standard seven pupil at Hope and Joy Pre and Primary School in Mbweni has a dream of becoming a high profile leader and influential person, “I kept dreaming and seeing myself a humble person but very influential and helping solving people’s problems.” She says President Samia has given her dream a new vigor, the visit to Holy See was but the manifestation of what she had been visioning herself.
“I need to study hard, and be focused on my vision so that I can one day make my dreams come true, I now long to be president of Tanzania, Madam President is inspiring me a lot,” she says adding that by picking little her as part of the delegates in the visit to the visible head of the Church, President Samia was moulding her replica.
At little as 12, Theresia is proving that her dreams are not in vain at all, she is in the right pathway towards them, apart from being a chairperson of the Pontifical Society of the Holly Childhood Archdiocese of Dar es salaam, she holds the same position at deacon and parish levels.
The association is an excellent way of giving the children and adolescents the opportunity of sharing with others and of doing their part for the common good. It advocates a human and Christian education while offering the space for recreation and sharing based on Gospel values, all this through the activities of catechesis, formation, prayer, visits to the poor and the sick. The association offers a positive and fraternal approach towards others, in the light of the Christian faith, to inculcate closeness of the heart and prayer, knowledge and collaboration, and mutual help among the children of the world. The missionary education of children passes through the awareness of the conscience, which would lead to spirituality and a will to stimulate, in a lasting sense, a change of lifestyle and a growing relationship with God and neighbor.
President Samia ‘s visit to the Holy See further heightened collaboration between the two countries in promoting peace and providing social services, religious freedom and the Tanzania’s interfaith policy has enabled various religions, including Catholic Church, to perform their spiritual activities well while supporting socio-economic development efforts.
For Theresia, as she herself testified, this was a life changing moment, an act of inclusion and inspiration that she will forever cherish. President Samia’s gesture of inviting a young girl to accompany her on an official visit to such a significant institution sent a powerful message: leadership is not confined by age or gender. It reinforced Theresia’s belief that she, too, can aspire to the highest offices in the land.
The enthusiastic support and admiration shown by other children further highlight how President Samia’s leadership style resonates deeply with the people. She does not merely govern from a distance but engages directly, making even the youngest citizens feel seen, heard, and valued. This rare ability to connect on a personal level, whether through policy, public appearances, or simple acts of kindness, sets her apart as a leader who truly understands and uplifts her nation.
President Samia’s influence extends beyond traditional politics; she represents hope, inclusivity, and the breaking of barriers. By involving Theresia in her official duties, she did more than just inspire one child, she ignited a flame of possibility in countless young minds across Tanzania. Her leadership proves that true power lies not in authority alone but in the ability to empower others.
For Theresia and many others, President Samia is more than a head of state, she is a living example of how determination, compassion, and visionary leadership can transform a nation and inspire future generations to dream bigger.
In the cordial and focused discussion both President Samia and the Pope agreed on strengthening diplomatic relations between Tanzania and the Vatican. While the former explaining satisfaction with the contribution of the Catholic Church in promoting social welfare in Tanzania, mostly in education and health provision.
Diplomatic relations between Tanzania and the Vatican were established on April 19, 1968, when Archbishop Pierluigi Sartorelli was appointed as the first representative of the Vatican to Tanzania.
With about 12 million Catholic believers, the Catholic Church in Tanzania is one of the utmost social services providers, mostly education and health through its 240 nursery schools, 147 primary schools, 245 secondary schools, 110 vocational training centers and five universities.
The Parish Priest of St. Benedict Abate, Father Edward Sabasi, said Theresia is a talented kid but this didn’t come up from a thin air, there were efforts, good guidance and affording her opportunity to manifest her talents. The priests urged parents to give more time to care the upbringing of children especially in this era of globalization.
“The most important thing is bringing up children in the right and Godly way, the church establishes associations like the holy childhood to shape children in the right way so as they become good citizen of the society and the church,” he says.
The pontifical Society of Holy Childhood come to existence in the mid-nineteenth century, a French bishop, H. E. Charles de Forbin-Janson was upset by the news coming from China about the children who were dying without having received baptism. Regretting that he could not personally leave as a missionary, he asked for advice from Pauline Jaricot, the foundress of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith.
Their exchange of ideas was enlightening and Bishop de Forbin-Janson got the idea to involve the children of France so that through prayer and material cooperation, they could help the Chinese children of their same age. “One Hail Mary a day, one small coin a month” was the commitment made by every child from the first moment. It was on May 19th 1843 and through this initiative the seed was sown from which the Society germinated. Years later, the motto would be coined, “Children helping children”, which sums up well the founder’s intuition and the society’s charisma
The association seeks to foster a personal and communitarian involvement to stimulate the dynamic movement toward God and the latent apostolate in them, support and encourage the taking up of a task that makes them feel part of a family where everyone is important and everyone lends a hand.
The recent passing of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, adds a profound layer of significance to Theresia Seda’s encounter with him. Just over a year prior, during President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s historic visit to the Vatican, young Theresia had the extraordinary opportunity to meet and converse with the Pontiff—a moment that ignited her aspirations for leadership and service. Pope Francis, known for his humility and dedication to uplifting the marginalized, succumbed to complications from double pneumonia at his residence in the Domus Sanctae Marthae in Vatican City. His final public appearance was on Easter Sunday, where he greeted the faithful in St. Peter’s Square, embodying his enduring commitment to pastoral care even in his final days. For Theresia and many Tanzanians, the memory of meeting Pope Francis now serves as a cherished inspiration, highlighting the enduring impact of compassionate leadership and the importance of nurturing the dreams of the younger generation.
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