Happy Easter from Mama
Katy and I were able to see and speak to the children, “familia Tumaini” in Tanzania today. It was just before their supper time and just before 11:00 a.m. here. They are well. They are happy, and they were VERY happy to see and speak with us. We asked, during our conversation why today was special and Francis offered that today is the day Jesus died on our behalves. The children promised to include Jesus’ sacrifice in their prayers today and assured us that we too would be. I would like to take this opportunity to include a few more . . .
First of all for them . . . the watoto (children) of Tumaini, we would ask that God keep them safe, and healthy and happy and they be allowed to continue to learn all they need to in order to grow up and become the best people they possibly can . . .
I give thanks to Father Kagua, our parish priest in Usa River, who was invaluable with his support and direction during a very difficult time. I ask for guidance for and God’s support of our Tanzanian staff, Oddo, Grace, Lohai, Mamas Anita, Saumu, Ally, Mwajuma, Dada Margy, Teacher Winner, Lawrence and Jeremiah to continue to treat each other with respect and kindness and to love, protect and be examples of goodness to these children we love so much . . .
I would give thanks to our Board of Directors here in Canada . . . To Cindy, on your departure, we thank you for all your contributions to Tumaini and wish you every happiness and success in your future and pray for you all of God’s blessings . . . To Julie who was with me from the beginning, supporting Tumaini before there WAS a Tumaini . . . for being my FIRST supporter and Tumaini’s first sponsor, Asante! To Lisa, for embracing the vision of Tumaini and for loving these children you have yet to meet . . . Thank you! And to our Tumaini Katy, “Bibi” Pat and incoming treasurer John Davies Asante for bringing your (as Oddo would say) UNIQUE sets of gifts to this board, but, more importantly, for bringing your common hearts . . . I pray for all of us to work together, with patience, humility and understanding to advance the wellbeing of our children in support of the vision of Tumaini . . .
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| L/R John Davies, Julie Millington, Cherie Szucs, Patricia Barry, Lisa Engelhardt-Robinson, Katy Wilson |
An ENORMOUS Asante must go out to you, our sponsors, donors, and volunteer supporters of Tumaini who have embraced these children not only from your hearts but from your pocketbooks. That support has enabled us to provide a quality life to all of our children. It has given them safety, sanctuary. It provides nutritious food daily, which helps their bodies not only grow but heal and staves off disease. It gives our HIV+ children their FIRST chance at a real life because medicine is only HALF the battle against AIDS. It allows their brains to grow so they can learn at good schools where they have the chance to excel and advance on through university to real jobs where they will then be in a position to “pay it forward”. It allows them quality medical care like corrective surgeries, and malaria treatment and belly button repairs, not to mention the day to day infections and flu and injuries our good friend Dr. Lyimo helps us with . . . Your loving support has gifted our children with toys and bicycles which they love SOOOOOO much (and recently helmets which protect their kitwas (heads)), and videos on Friday and Saturday nights and the occasional picnic or swimming party where they are invited to play and share and just be a child . . .
Your support helps employ our staff and gives most of them the first employment they have ever dared dream might help THEM build a future . . .
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| L/R - from Mama Dee- Margy, Saumu, Oddo, Teacher Winner, Mama Mwajuma, Anita, Jeremiah and Lawrence, Lohai, Mama Ally and Mama Grace! |
I pray this Easter that you will always have the means, the empathy and the confidence to share your time, your hearts and your hard earned dollars with us, ensuring that all we dream of for these children continues . . .
And to YOUR families and friends this Easter we wish you peace and happiness and safety in your travels as you come together to share in this holiday . . . and to some who may NOT be with family or friends, come be with us . . . our hearts are big enough . . .
Since my return to Canada last week, to Melissa and Trevor, thank you for embracing Tumaini. To Pat for her travelogue presentation in Burlington which garnered even more awareness (and funding) for Tumaini! To Katy's family and everyone who supported Katy's welcome home party . . . I am not certain the sky is the limit when it comes to what this family contributes to Tumaini . . . and to all who came out to welcome her back . . . Asante! To the Simcoe Ladies Lions Club thank you for welcoming me to speak at your dinner meeting this past Tuesday and to Luann who is welcoming me back to her family studies class, thank you! To Nurse Julie at Dr. Don’s office, thank you for helping with my blood work and x-rays so that I might feel better soon. To a woman who follows us on Facebook, someone I didn’t recognize, who hugged me in the grocery store simply for doing what I do here, thank you! This job is not always easy, but it IS always rewarding and you were my reward that day . . . Thank you! To my family who forgives and forgets and then remembers when I forget, who supports me every day, whether I am here or there and who has embraced our “extended” family on the other side of the world, thank you so much . . . I hope you know how much . . .
And so, Happy Easter! With such gratitude for and on behalf of the children and staff of Tumaini (PS Raymond and Lohai will be here in June), to and on behalf of our board who work lovingly to ensure our children have a future . . . and to each of you . . . it is my prayer that God show each of you, in a very special way this weekend, how very much what you do, who you are, matters . . . yes, that is my Easter prayer . . . Asante!
