It is about sympathy for people; about charity directed at sick poor and starving people in Africa, so hungry that that “have to eat grass”. Last century’s Christian mission was very much about saving poor Africans in need. The political and social development that leads to independence is about taking responsibility for local institutions; including those caring for people’s health in a holistic context that develops self respect. Hence; ELCT Mbulu Diocese took the responsibility for Haydom Lutheran Hospital more than half a century ago; in close co-operation with friends in Norway and in other countries.
Haydom is also about sympathy and respect for “the Olsen family” who has been a hub at Haydom in developing the hospital and the communities associated with the Haydom Lutheran Hospital. “Mama Kari” and Dr Ole Halgrim Evjen Olsen came in many people’s mind to be one with “Haydom”, both in Norway and in Tanzania, for good reasons. They both deserved the honour of receiving the Royal St Olav decorations from our Norwegian King, nothing and nobody can take that away.

It is more than five years now since Dr Ole Halgrim Evjen Olsen passed away. Something has gone astray during these years. That is not to say that everything has gone wrong. It is unfair to put the blame on the young generation of the “Haydom Olsen” alone only because they have been given or have taken on roles in developing “Haydom” during the last five years. I have all reasons to believe that whatever they have done has been well intended.
The centre of power very much shifted with the going of “the old man”; from “Haydom /Dr Olsen” to “Friends of Haydom Norway”. The tool of power is money. With money it is possible to buy influence and control. I have a strong feeling that this tool has been used unwisely to bend and force not only the young Olsen family, but at times also the owner of the hospital; ELCT Mbulu Diocese. In certain cases it is more than my feeling telling me this. The present owner of that “power tool” seems to be more occupied by using it as means of foreign control than in developing local institution that can take responsibility for their own development.

The core of the conflict between FoH (“Friends of Haydom” in Norway) and Haydom Development Company Ltd is that HDC Ltd respected the laws in Tanzania and ambitions of the founders saying that HDC Ltd is a Tanzanian company and the Norwegian Foundation FoH did not. FoH in Norway has documented their ambitions to own and control the farm and the hospital from Norway in their own documents published in this web page. See documentation about how the Norwegians want to take control of the farm here and documentation about the hospital here. Nobody should be very surprised that HDC Ltd sympathises with ELCT Mbulu Diocese when FoH in Norway is trying to take control over Haydom Lutheran Hospital in the same manners as they took Mulbadaw and CMSC from HDC Ltd. The only difference, judged from the documents they in vain have tried to keep secret from the public, so far seems that they have not taken it by militia armed with “rungu”. What makes me concerned is that I am being told that they are using the same Norwegian paid Tanzanian advisors in the struggle for the hospital as they used in the takeover of Mulbadaw on 12th August 2006.

Tanzania never stops surprising me and fascinating me. It is a fascination dating back to early sixties when I in “The Observer” and in other non-local newspapers was reading about the young nation and its leader Nyerere. 
I am now, almost half a century later, sitting in a modest hotel room in Arusha receiving telephone calls from people I hardly know. Some are telling me that both Christians and Muslims are praying that God shall touch the hearts of those people in Norway and in Tanzania that have caused the difficulties during the last years. They are telling me that they are now fasting and praying for seven days; by the end of the seven days they shall provide food for the orphans in the villages, making them happy. When children are happy, God is pleased and shall touch the hearts of those named people who have gone astray. And they are spelling out the Norwegian and the Tanzanian names so that God shall not be mistaken about whom to touch. 
I admit that I am not one of those persons wearing out the church seats; but I have a great respect and admiration for the sincere and devoted Christians and Muslims not only preaching but also practising love and justice for maintaining peace.
This could be a good time for a new start.

Arusha, 23rd June 2010
Halvdan Jakobsen

Comments by web- editor on 24rd June 2010:

Haydom Lutheran Hospital (HLH) experiences turbulent and emotional times and is at a crossroad. A mother fighting for her son is nothing new under the sun, but to more than suggest that "sick children, pregnant women and poor people" will suffer more without the Olsens ruling at HLH is maybe to become a little too much emotional. Two days ago “Mama Kari” wrote the following in an e- mail addressed among others to HDC Ltd: “Next year it will be 50 years since I came to Haydom. I have spent my whole life's work working for Haydom, never in a manner of self interest, but always for the people. I am really sad for the way you all are spreading false allegations about my family and by your current actions. Even though we as a family are deeply hurt by this, by your actions the people who really will suffer are the poor people in need of assistance in Haydom and the surrounding districts. I urge you to think about the consequences of your actions and be ready to take responsibility for all those sick children, pregnant women and poor people who need Haydom's assistance.”

Above these lines the Managing Director of HDC Ltd, Havdan Jakobsen gives full credit to “Mama Kari” and the late Dr. Ole Halgrim Evjen Olsen, but unfortunately some things have gone terribly wrong the last five years. The worst example is the illegal occupation of the Mulbadaw farm and CMSC on the 12th of August 2006 by militia armed with “rungu” by order of the Norwegian management at HLH in collaboration with the Norwegian foundation FoH. However, unless something unexpected happens, the Olsen era at HLH seems to be very close to an end.

Now is the time for peace and reconciliation at HLH. This means that the unfortunate ownership conflict concerning the Mulbadaw farm must be put to an end as soon as possible. In order to achieve peace, some Norwegian individuals in FoH must understand the colonial days have ended, and the Tanzanians must be given the opportunity in their own way to establish peace in their own house. The Tanzanian company HDC Ltd will do all we can to contribute to this longed peace and reconciliation.