It is early, too early yet for church and I am sipping my second coffee, bundled, because it is nippy this morning. . . cool, and a brisk breeze. The sun is shining, the birds are singing and I pause and admire the work a wonderful young man (Tanzanian by coincidence) named Mathias and I completed on the flower beds yesterday. It is the first time I have worked the gardens in over a year and they needed the attention . . . today they are happy. We have an oriole bird feeder about ten feet from me and as I write this, a male dropped in for some grape jelly . . . the couple is nesting in one of our maple trees on the other side of the driveway . . .
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| Our darling Christina is feeling better thanks to Dr. Lyimo |
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| 15 year old Mwajuma struggles with recurring abdominal pain . . . |
So, how is the family in Tanzania? Well, the bad news was that Christina was sick, vomiting and needed an intravenous drip for a day, but the good news is that, because of support from people like yourselves, she, or any one of our children needing good medical care will have it. Dr. Lyimo, in Usa River is a fine doctor and cares for all of our Tumaini family. Fifteen year old Mwajuma has struggled for over a year with recurring abdominal pain and was home from Haradali boarding school again last week complaining. Dr. Lyimo, like many times before can find nothing wrong and is beginning to suspect it may be a psychological issue. Thank God we have Doctor Pat!
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| Absolute best buds Lazaro (l) and Emmanual (r) |
I promised reports so let me begin . . . Ema (Emmanual) was, again, #1 in his class of 51 with Lazaro not far behind at #5. Both boys tend to be shy when you first meet them but they are fun loving young men who get into all kinds of mischief together as best buddies, sharing both the classroom and their dorm at Haradali boarding school. Lazaro was “busted” for making arrows which he then proceeded to launch with his self made bow (his tribe are famous for their bow and arrow skills). Lazaro (and younger brother Stephano) lost both of their parents to AIDS and came under the care of their uncle Lawrence. He was the first family member I met who was attempting to honor his familial responsibility and his brother’s memory by caring lovingly for his nephews but the entire family struggled desperately, lacking enough food, living space and medical care. When our children moved to Tumaini house in February, 2010, I gave Lawrence a job as our security guard to thank him for trying as he had to care for his nephews, for it is the exception and NOT the rule in Tanzania to love a step child or extended family member . . . most suffer, treated like unpaid servants, or worse, abused at the cruel and unloving hands of aunts, uncles and step parents, but not our Lazaro and Stephano!!
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| Uncle Lawrence truly cares about nephews Lazaro and Stephano |
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| A sick Bibi Emmanual was grateful for our medical assistance . . . |
You may recall that Ema’s mother died just six days after he was born and he had been living and struggling with his very old “Bibi”, or grandmother, who, by the way was incredibly grateful to us for our providing her desperately needed medical attention for a serious bladder infection last week. She suffered for days until Dr. Lyimo was authorized to tend her and provide antibiotics . . . Ema was/is a quietly obedient little boy who has learned to HAVE FUN now that he is exposed to children his own age and encouraged to play and obviously he is a very studious STUDENT!! He takes his studies very seriously and for him, and a few other children who shine academically, it is our wish to ensure they acquire the VERY best educational opportunities possible.
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| Stephano says Asante to "Uncle" Darrell for helping him . . . |
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| Pendo (with Liadi) is oh, so very grateful to "Auntie" Heidi and Katie for loving her . . . |
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| Harriri doesn't clown around about saying thank you to "Auntie" Cynthia for caring about him . . . |
On behalf of Pendo, Harriri and Stephano, I would like to send our deepest thanks to Heidi, cousin Cynthia and Katie (a different Katie who volunteered at Tumaini House for three weeks in April), and Darrell (who, travelling to Tanzania to visit friends was kind enough to carry fifty pounds of vitamins donated by Jamieson (chewables, funnily enough shaped like lions and zebras) – stopped in for a visit with the children and chose to help Stephano) for oh so lovingly providing support to these children. It goes without saying, (but I’ll say it anyway), that, without you caring, we could not sustain Tumaini house and provide the love, the care and the attention we do to our forty children, not to mention the outreach work we do for Mana OVC, our child orphan support group and Langa ya Iruva, an adult AIDS support group in Usa River. So very many of you have reached out to us, opening your hearts and your wallets to help us help our children and I cannot express my gratitude enough . . . asante . . . sana!
July 23 and 24th will be our Tumaini yard sale at my farm, 857 Norfolk St. S. Simcoe, ON. If you have gently used, saleable items you’d like to donate we’d be grateful for the contribution. Send me an email with details and we can arrange a pick up/drop off and once again thank you!
FYI Climbers!
Our crazy daughter Amanda has arranged a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro (week of August 8
th) with my nephew Sean, friends Lauren, John, Jamie, Jason, Rob, Kathy and Norma (I think that’s all) and are hoping to fundraise on behalf of Tumaini!
More news to follow but please feel free to support any or all of them with your donation which may be made online at
www.tuchifo.com AND, we are able to share information about our “other” Katy and her sister Jer Wilson and her team who performed on a new television program called Canada Sings!
The contestants compete against each other for prize money which is then donated to a charity of the team’s choice and guess who was chosen?
Thank you, thank you!! We’ll let you know which night we’re on but the show airs August 10
th @ 9:00 p.m.!
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| Our "ambassador" and a very fine big Tumaini brother, Raymond |
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| Lohai, one of the finest young men I have ever met . . . |
Say a prayer for us will you? We are working to finalize visa arrangements for two of our older boys to come and visit us . . . Raymond, a very dedicated and hard working high school student, and Tumaini’s “ambassador” of goodness, who sets a wonderful “big brother” example for the rest of our children, hopes to come and garner support for university and Lohai, who is the hardest working young man I have EVER met, works tirelessly at Tumaini raising our chickens, tending our vegetable garden, serving early morning breakfast to our children before school, etc. Lohai is our “go to” guy at Tumaini . . . he finds the lost shoe or book bag as the bus for school is leaving, he maintains our container, finds the shovel/wrench/hammer, kills the poisonous spiders for a hesitant Mama Dee and Liadi, helps Baba Steve well into the night work on the new oven . . . I could go on and on! In any event, Canadian immigration approval not withheld, both boys will be here before month’s end! Lohai will learn to drive a tractor, improve his farming skills (and his English), see some of our beautiful country and experience many, MANY firsts . . . we cannot wait!!
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| Mama Dee and her "Men"! |
Things are good . . . the children are wonderful!!! Truly, wonderful! I return to hold them again at the beginning of August for a month and many of you ask what they need . . . they ALWAYS need good quality black dress shoes (a strong sole), socks and underpants. Rain jackets and rubber boots are needed. Our children range in age from 3 to 22 so most sizes are needed.
Bon voyage, safari njema to returning volunteer from USA Mariel and her mom Diane who leave Tuesday for a month at Tumaini house! I just know your trip will be all you are hoping it to be and please give the children a hug from Mama will you?
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| Mariel and mom Diane cannot wait to see Christina and all our Tumaini children . . . |
To everyone, be well and please, PLEASE know how very grateful we always are for your continued interest and loving support of some very, VERY special and lucky little people . . . Asante!
