MamaDee

Tumaini STUFF!

2012-02-25T07:07:00.000-08:00

No smiles today . . .

A house fire last week took the lives of twin babies and displaced ten families. You would have been proud of our children . . . each went up to their shelves and chose an outfit to donate to those children who had lost everything they owned. We included two new mattresses and a cash donation to cover the cost of replacing text books and uniforms for seven school aged children. Devastating news for this village and a horrible reminder of the dangers of playing with fire . . .

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HAT DAY AT TUMAINI . . . DON'T ASK ME TO EXPLAIN!

Does this hat go with my dress?

Who knows???

It's Ema!!!

Like I said, don't ask me to explain . . .

Breaking ALL the rules . . .

Liadi sleeps with his piggy blanket . . .

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DADA MATHILDE WE MISS YOU!

Mathilde Hojring from Denmark - a wonderful teacher and Dada "Kichaa"!

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Latifa trying to return a bird's nes to the tree.

Harriri lost two teeth in two days!!! Soooooo Cute!

Many cooks making a new tumaini favorite . . . Nan's Chocolate Fudge Pudding!!!

Success! WE hope!

Dada Mkubwa took Angel to town for new birthday shoes!!

Am I Right? Cute or what?????

Dashing Daniel battling lions and zebras and rhinos and hippos!!!!

Sayid . . . the son of our friends in Majengo village. We have invited him to attend Tumaini school!

I couldn't love this boy more . . . Kelvin . . .

Little Maasai Glory . . .

Gerhad, Jenny, Latifa and Sayid hanging with Mama . . .

Sometimes we just don't ask . . .

AND, HONGERA SANA . . . CONGRATULATIONS TO TEACHER ODDO ON HIS NEW SON!!!

A Sunny Saturday . . .

2012-02-18T22:58:00.000-08:00

The day began with us pulling Harriri's second tooth in two days! His second teeth are already through!

Amazing what fun we can have with temporary tattoos!

Fellow Saturday photographer Kelvin!

Eliza . . .

What are they looking at??????

Esther . . .

Honest . . . it began with a WALK!!!!

Connie and ALL of the girls LOVE bandanas!!!

A sometimes "lazy"Liadi walked all the way!!!

Hoofing through the parched jungle!!!

Jenny takes the lead . . .

Tony WHAT are you doing?????

Some other children (pretending they were wild dogs) gave us "PAUSE"!

Just a couple of guys, hangin out on a log . . . oh and Priska too!

And the REST of the gang!!!

Laughing Latifa!!

On our way . . .

Cheese!!!!!

Always similing Francis with Mount Meru in the background . . .

I have yet to meet a more flexible little girl.

Serious saluters Said and Gerehad . . .

Homeward bound . . .

Home from the Hospital and Happy Birthday Angela . . .

2012-02-17T00:27:00.001-08:00

First of all, a happy, happy birthday to Angela! It was cake but no ice cream today foreveryone but the sickies . . . (no electricity translates into no ice cream!)

What a rough couple of days . . . things began with youngerDaniel waking three mornings ago having susued in his bed (Diarrhea). Lastnight Liadi vomited in bed and then again, twice this morning, while I wastalking to one of our mamas about taking Daniel to the clinic to be checkedout. Said, (pronounced Sayid) came alongto tell me he wasn’t feeling well either. The four of us, Said, Daniel, Liadi and I headed out on foot for Dr.Lyimo’s clinic.

The boys were brave for the most part and endured the alwaysnecessary prick of the finger in order to draw blood and eliminate any chanceof malaria and then we were off to the choo (toilet) for “samples”. I’ll spare you the maternal duties performedhere. Katy emailed me to say that Stephanohad just vomited and should Jeremiah bring him in the car and so he too, joinedus at the clinic.

Liadi is usually quite a vocal little guy but note to futurecuddlers . . . he is not vocal when he is about to “atapika” “vomit”, all overyou! Not once, but twice he let loose .. . after doing what we could to clean ourselves up, (it was an aromatic drivehome), we received our diagnoses. Giardia.

Since Christmas we’ve had running water less than five days(one here and one there) and have been trucking water into Tumaini in large,plastic garbage cans. Our supply ran outin the village (a public tap), and Jeremiah was forced to take water from the river)After some probing we discovered that the boys were brushing their teeth oneday and decided instead of trekking downstairs to get “safi” “clean” drinkingwater, to just scoop up some of the river water kept in an ndoo (bucket) fortoilet use, rinsed their mouths and swallowed. I went through three sheets, one large towel,my blanket and two face cloths last night alone -remember that Margie washes ina bucket. It has been a painful, exhausting and messylesson for all of us and a frightening reminder to me about the dangers of unsafewater, especially for children who have no choice and no access to medicalcare. Dehydration kills so many childrenhere and millions live in the interior of Tanzania, miles and miles from anysort of clinic or hospital. We are sofortunate to have what we do here . . .

To our friends who supplied the washing machine and paid toget it here we cannot thank you enough and to Dell Pharmacy, Bibi Pat, (I knowyou worried that the medications would not be used efficiently) Dr. Rob, HPIand Joanie, for supplying us antibiotics, your guidance, your care . . . how do we thank you? There is someone here EVERY DAY on antibioticsfor one thing or another and your generosity has helped us to keep medical costsdown.

Mary, Reward and Nelson are all home at the same time rightnow and as Kelvin goes to day school at Haradali, the family is reunited onceagain and we have much to celebrate! Nelson just finished his Form IV nationalexam and he and Mzamiru (our Mana OVC scholarship winner) performed well enough(especially in Math and Sciences – stay tuned for Nelson’s story) for us tofight to get him into a quality A level school . . . Mary and Reward are onthree week break (Reward is doing very well and will have a second scan after thisdose of medication finishes to ensure that all is well). They have just completed their exams and areconfident they performed well and Kelvin brought home the highest grade in hisKiswahili and Science class!

The children at Tumaini continue to study (and learn) and visitorsand volunteers continue to marvel at how happy they find our children to be! Volunteers Anna and Stine work daily withLiadi, little Aisha and now Said to bring along their knowledge of thealphabet, numbers and the writing of their names, etc. Every day I overhear Class I working withTeacher Winner, assisted by Mary, Reward, and our volunteers.

Our other childrenare working hard and will join us at the end of March for a month long termbreak and Raymond will come home on Sunday after completing his national examin Form VI. The results of this examwill be the foundation for his continued education and so the pressure is on himand all of his classmates. He and otherstruggled through the flu while writing exams for these past two weeks . . .

Things are good for the most part. Oddo is away in Dar obtaining our taxexemption certificate for the container which should arrive on March 2^ndand he needs to get home because their new baby will be delivered next Friday .. . we tease Oddo about who is really carrying the baby – tumbo mkubwa (bigtummy)!

There has been no rain, for months and everything isparched. Two young Maasai girls came throughour gate yesterday, 14 year old Lea and 12 year old Nwetamita(?) begging forhelp. Lea’s father abandoned them andNwetamita’s is very old and of little help to the family who is starvingbecause of the drought. Their crops haveshriveled in the fields and there will be nothing to eat. We fed the girls, gave them some beans and riceand walked them down the hill to put them on a bus home. Begging them to go to school we invited themto return in a week to take what we can afford to share.

Oddo says the party's over regarding electricity . . . we've enjoyd "regular" electricity through Christmas but explained that it is only because Parliament was sitting . . . and that's over now . . . and so is "regular" umeme " electricity!

Mama Esther, the mama whose home we are working on improvingand who began her own bread making business with the help of a small loan isecstatically busy and stopped by to make her second loan payment lastweekend. We have helped changed afamilies’ fortune forever . . . it is a good, good feeling.

Canadian volunteers Diane, Becky, Meg and Char (Mama Corosh)brought a wonderful donation when they came and we put new grills into a classroomat Shule Kilimani, just down the road . . . it too was a wonderful feeling andwe need to say thank you for making that possible! Photos will follow!!

All of our Mana OVC children in Standard 7 must write thatcritical national exam at the end of this year, AND pass it, else theiracademic opportunities cease . . . there is no extra tuition for the childrenat Shule Uraki (where our Chikira children attend) and so Nelson, who will behome for several months waiting for school placement, and aided by big sisterand brother Mary and Reward, tutor them here. They come after school on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and this week,despite us having paid their school fees, there was no food at school . . .they went through class and then came here to study without a meal! Sometimes things become disheartening . . .we fed them and put them to work preparing for that all important examination .. .

We are well (other than the vomiters) and send our mostsincere thanks home to each of you who continue to love and support ushere. Easter approaches and I’ll be backin Canada for that holiday having missed Christmas with my family and friendsagain this year . . . I look forward to coming home and thank each of youagain, from the very bottom of my heart . . . be well!

Reward, Athuman and yet another God Story!!

2012-01-31T07:10:00.000-08:00

Angela

God’s Work . . .

It is hot today . . . really hot, but last night a“breeze” (gale comes more readily to mind) blew through and at least cooled thenight down and that “breeze” continues today. I hope the laundry stays on the line. We have no water again/still. (The 11 hours we enjoyed it were wonderful though). Our older children are at their schools(Amani, Haradali) writing month end exams and our first graders are completingtheir exams upstairs. Liadi and littleAisha are playing on our seesaw as a “flock?” of white butterflies glide past .. . there are thousands of them. I hopewe’re not witnessing an infestation of the African gypsy moth or something . ..

An always happy Martha

Reward and big sister Mary complete their 2nd year in university soon . . .

Reward and I have been in touch this past week and hecontinues to improve. We still wait forhis medical records from the doctors in Dar es Salaam. He is excited to begin his final exams thisweek and big sister Mary has begun hers already.

Connie and Latifa

Emmanuel

Athuman’s father has explained to us that his parents(where he deposited Athuman after taking him from his Bibi) want to keepAthuman with them as he is not an orphan (he has a father now), but we stillneed to see Athuman. We have insistedupon a meeting, face to face with Athuman to be certain this is what he wantsalso. A meeting with his grandmother onhis mother’s side, who seemingly has custody, is later today, when we will explainto the family that if we don’t see Athuman by the end of this week we will beforced to go to the police. There isnothing more we can do if they will not be forthcoming with him and we mustensure he is safe.

Lucia

Fundraising for the Lupia (Bibi, Lucia, Baraka) family Ishared about with you a couple of days ago is coming along. Our initial need of $4,697.00 has beenreduced to $3,800.00 because of your generosity. Thank you! I would ask that you please reach out to help us help this family. We can change every one (six children andfive adults) of their lives . . . truly. A donation of any amount large or small will go, 100% towards securingtheir home and paying for Baraka and Lucia to attend school. We CAN do this!!! Please help. You can read about their situation in the preceding blog.

Yesterday, Oddo and I had a meeting with the headmistress of Makumira Secondary School where Raymond, Deo, Mzamiru, Rose,Redigunda, Anna, and Mary attend. Annaand Redigunda failed their Form II national exams . . . again. In fact, even after a year of boardingschool, of quality teachers and teaching, their grades did not improve by even1%. Both failed their first exam with agrade of just 25% (30% is a pass if you can imagine) and they did the sameagain this time. Traditional educationis over for them and it breaks our hearts. Redigunda is Raymond’s sister, Anna is Athuman, Harriri and Liadi’s andwithout an education . . . Anna’s parents are dead and Redigunda’s are too pooreven to have helped their brightest son get to school. While waiting for headmistress outside heroffice, I marveled at the attendance stats:

	Form I	Form II	Form III	Form IV	Form V	Form VI
Girls	28	34	59	42	19	38
Boys	31	43	84	57	55	108

How sad it is that, as the grades progress, the ratio ofgirls/boys declines, hmmm? Redigunda andAnna didn’t try very hard. They didn’t study;they didn’t reach out to our volunteers for extra help in English. Headmistress put it directly and succinctlywhen she advised against another attempt at Form II. “Some children lack thefundamentals, some, the intellectual capacity, but unfortunately, some lack thedrive, the determination needed to succeed. As educators at this level, we can only bring knowledge to them. Instilling it is up to them.”

We are meeting with their families and have asked thegirls what alternatives appeal to them: cooking, sewing, some type of trade and will assist them in acquiringtraining in one such field.

Omari Said Mhando

After our meeting with Headmistress Oddo and I droveabout to Shule Uraki, Kilimani and Leganga to pay school fees for our Mana OVCchildren, the orphan support group we outreach to. At Uraki, while calculating fees for “security,cook, building fund”, illegal fees for which the children are beaten and senthome if left unpaid, the head master shared with us the story of a young manwho desperately needed our help.

Omari Said Mhando, age 15, completed the national examfor Standard VII and passed, with two A’s and four B’s. Considering his living situation, this islittle short of miraculous. Originallyone of six children, Omari’s father abandoned the family in 1999. Their mother followed suit in 2008, and twosiblings left home shortly after her. That left Omari, a younger brother Abdi 13, an older sister Fatuma whofell sick while working in a flower factory and has never recovered and bigsister Halima 24, single mother of two and day worker with two children, the youngestjust five months. She is in the hospitalwith her baby who, it is discovered, has a heart condition. More on that another day.

What this left is a young man who worked his butt off toearn the grades he did but is now left with not a prayer at finding school feesfor secondary school. With his sister inthe hospital, food has even become an issue.

Soooooooooo. Oddoand I took the boy’s information and Oddo headed immediately to the DistrictEducation Commissioner’s office (whom we just happened to run into at ShuleLeganga) so he remembered us. Oddocajoled his way into a very busy office and explained Omari’s situation (whomhe had not even met yet because Omari was waiting at Tumaini House with me). I think what impressed our friend theDistrict Education Commissioner so much was that we have no connection to thischild. He is not a relation of Oddo’s,nor the child of a friend. Until yesterdaywe didn’t know this child even existed. He was presented by his Headmaster as being (like our Chikira orphaned children,whom the headmaster is aware we are helping) in desperate need, having worked,under unimaginable living conditions to earn his way to secondary school and,who, short of a miracle (don’t tell me this is a coincidence!), would never geta chance to continue his education. (Don’t you just LOVE GOD stories???)

So, to bring this tale to a close, Oddo is out as I writethis, getting the required paperwork for Omari completed and rushing a physical(I noticed a nasty rash on his chest when I took his photo). Oddo came BOUNDING (no less and for a man whosuffered polio!) into my office exclaiming how we are “truly in God’s pocketdada (sister), truly!” having been granted permission for Omari to attend whatthe commissioner hopes to build into the flagship public boarding secondaryschool in Arusha District! I cannotBEGIN to tell you how good we are feeling today, Oddo and I (and probably Omaritoo!) . . . by God’s will, having been in the right place, at the right time,to help this deserving young man garner an opportunity at a future! THIS is what we can do . . . with God’s helpand with yours! Asante!

PS If you’re looking for Oddo or me in the next few hours, look UP! We’re still levitating!!!

SHIDA? PROBLEM . . . SHIDA HAPA? PROBLEM HERE? NINGI! MANY!

2012-01-31T05:06:00.000-08:00

L/R Baraka, Bibi, Lucia, Eva . . .

A Home Visit – “Shida” “Problem” Here? Shida Ningi! Many Problems!

People ask all the time how our outreach begins, wherethe families we help come from, and how we choose those we will help. Bibi Lucia’s family and our recent visit totheir home illustrate clearly the extreme conditions many people findthemselves living in.

On Tuesday of this past week an older woman (Bibi Lucia)with a small, very pretty little girl (Evelin) walked through our gate atTumaini House. We try to keep the gatelocked to prevent people just wandering in but one of us had forgotten. Bibi found her way to my office where Oddoand I were working together. Afterformal greetings (a custom here), Bibi was seated and began her story.

Bibi Lucia is from the “interior” of Tanzania. She lost her husband a number of years agoand was struggling along as a widow until her health began to fail. Her daughter (Esther), out of love for hermother, and in a very uncustomary act, asked her husband to allow his mother inlaw to come and live with them. Uncustomarily, he said yes. That was last year. Her health has stabilized (blood pressuremostly) and the family has been scraping by.

As an aside, Esther, her husband and teen children havebeen building a home for four years and were renting two rooms, one for them,one for Bibi, while construction progressed. Progress is slow . . . As of our visit the house has walls (rough brickwith gaps present), a sheet metal roof (with eaves and gables exposed), nowindows, some grills (the ironworks placed into the windows for security) andno doors. The floor is rough, rawconcrete. I mentioned they’ve beensaving and adding a bit here and there for the past four years. Mume Esther (her husband) is a meter readerand at present she has no income.
Enter Lucia Alex, (DOB Oct. 20, 2002) granddaughter ofBibi Lucia, her namesake and sister to that pretty little girl Evelin (DOB Jul.24, 2008). In January of 2011 Lucia andEvelin buried their mother just three years after their father’s death in 2008 andonly weeks after Evelin’s birth. Knowingthat Bibi had health issues and was fortunate enough to be allowed to residewith her son in-law, the family was loathe to burden her with the children ofher dead daughter, which IS customary here. Eventually though, it became apparent that, even with her struggles Bibiwas the best candidate to provide for the girls. Family discussions ensued, Esther’s husband,(my partner Oddo marvels at the compassion this man has for his in-laws as itis NOT traditional) acquiesced and the girls were brought to their Bibi.

Money, which was tight, became tighter still and thefamily had to give up those two rooms they were renting and move to theirunfinished, unsecure home. They live andsleep, every day and night, without a door or a blockade of any kind preventingintruders, human or otherwise, from entering their home.

Baby Belina, 7 mos. may be positive . . .

Additionally, Esther has a sister (Neema) who has a sixyear old son (Baraka) and a new baby Belina (7 mos). During her pregnancy she was tested anddiscovered that she is HIV+. We had thechildren tested and Baraka is negative but it is too soon to tell for babyBelina and so we wait. An immediateproblem for her is that Neema cannot nurse and so milk must be purchased forher. Fearing her husband will leave heronce he discovers she is positive, she has declined to inform him. We explained as strongly as we could that,(she swears she has been monogamous) if she doesn’t tell him soon and he receivestreatment, he will fall ill and leave her in a different way . . . please prayfor courage . . .

Completely open . . . to the elements human and otherwise . . .

There is no money for school, little for food and noneleft over to secure that house. Bibi andEsther shared their struggles with friends, our name came up, and Bibi trekkedup here to ask for help. Oddo and I andvolunteers Luke and Dallas from Canada visited their home and we recorded thefamily history which brings us to today.

We’ve asked our fundis (carpenter and ironsmith) to go tothe house and provide estimates for doors and grills to secure the house. A very pleasantly surprised husbandcalculated what we will need to make the house livable. It has three bedrooms (the children sleep onthe floor, lacking beds), a large living/dining space and a kitchen. There are three doorways and the house stillrequires two grills. The floor needs thecement finished to level it. I am askingfor your help.

Baraka

What have we done thus far? We are paying for milk for baby Belina. We’ve put Lucia, who is a very fearful andserious little girl (I can appreciate why), slow to smile, very gentle and verywilling, to listen, to obey, to study, into Haradali Boarding School on apromise to pay. We have purchased heruniforms, mattress and linens, and school supplies. We have done the same for Baraka who isvirtually silent, quicker with a smile but still serious and carries theresponsibility of caring for his sick mother and potentially sick little sisteron his tiny (and they are tiny as he is especially small for his six years)shoulders. When you look in his face youcan see that he recognizes his responsibilities already . . .

So proud to go to school!

I have made a small business loan to Mama Esther who willpartner with her sister (a pragmatic decision in case her husband leaves her)and bake and sell bread. They should netabout 25,000 shillings each, weekly (about $16.00) and this, in conjunctionwith Esther’s husband’s income will change the course of the both families’lives.

Baraka and cousin Lucia

I am not asking for sponsorship or any sort of ongoingsupport. I am hoping you will help us helpthis family secure their home and establish a stable environment foreveryone. The family count now sits ateleven. Here is what we need:

Milk for Belina for three months SH. 90,000 or $57.00

Two sets of bunk beds SH. 400,000or $253.00

Mattresses, sheets and blankets for 4 beds SH. 220,000 or $139.00

School Fees for Lucia for one year SH. 1234,000 or $781.00

School Fees for Baraka for one year SH. 1234,000 or $781.00

Sand, gravel and soil to mix with cement: SH. 610,000 or $386.00

40 bags of cement:                                                        SH. 600,000or $380.00
Nails                                                                                 SH.     96,000or $   61.00
Lumber      (Esther’s husband said this could wait SH.  800,000 or $506.00
Ceiling Board (He said to wait for this also)              SH.  578,000 or $366.00
Fundi (labor) (This too will wait)                                 SH.    60,000 or $  40.00
Doors                                                                                SH.  794,000 or $503.00 (FYI-Profit? $20.00)
Grills required for security-Doors/windows              SH.  705,500 or $443.00 (Profit?$70.00)
JUMLA/TOTAL                                                               SH.7421,500 or $4,697.00

I just totalled that number! That is a lot of money . . . true . . . BUT,it corresponds to just $427.00 per family member and six of them arechildren! If we could just find elevenpeople each to give us $427.00, or, eleven groups of people to compile the $427.00, or, perhaps if one or another of you couldchoose from the list above what you may be able to help with, THAT, would bewonderful!

This is how we outreach at Tumaini . . . we meet, listen,visit and assess need and then we reach out for help. I’ve attached photos for inspection and willdo on completion.

A shy smile from Lucia . . .

So many of you would like to help but you don’t reallyknow where your dollars go. You can helpthis family now and watch the progress of every dollar . . .

For caring, for wanting to help, thank you so very much!

Mama . . .

AND A SHIP SETS SAIL!

2012-01-25T22:20:00.000-08:00

Loading, and loading, and loading, and . . .

We're crossing the Atlantic! Mediterranean Shipping Company contatiner XCLU75111175 is on it's way to Spain and there are so many people to thank! To those of you who wish to remain anonymous but know who you are, for purchasing the container AND shipping it here, to your staff who worked so hard to get everything together from your end, to your family who began the ball rolling in the first place, Asante Sana! Often, when we reach out to help someone here in desperate need, their response is, "I have nothing to give you to show my gratitude, but God will thank you for me" . . . the same applies here! Hundreds and hundreds of hours have gone into purchasing, collecting, sorting, washing, packing, and loading. Our children are truly blessed and from Oddo and myself, for every minute of those hundreds of hours, THANK YOU!

All of this has come from you!

To friends, volunteers and donors in Canada, hundreds of YOU, who purchased and collected and donated and then came to our farm and sorted and packed and packed and packed and then loaded and finally waved our container away . . . thank you so very much! There are so very many of you that I will miss someone so please, know, how very grateful we at Tumaini are, for the continued love and support you show us. Tractors and and a new television, and computers and clothing and desks and chalk boards, and tools, and TOWELS! Wheelchairs and sofas and books and books and books, and toys and BIKES! Shoes and PJ's and dishes and tables . . . thank you, thank you, thank you!

And To Dave Egles and family and staff at HES (Home Energy Solutions) in Barrie, Ontario and B.C. for ensuring that we have a solar installation in our container . . . and to Mike O'Connor at Northland Logistics for working so hard to iron out some of the inevitable "wrinkles" we experienced in getting this contaiener on its way . . . Asante Sana! Did you know that our empty container got into a car accident on it's initial trip to our farm and was delayed as a result? Or, did you know that a driver inadvertently parked our container at a depot instead of taking it directly to the rail line so it wouldn't "miss the boat". Well, Mike did . . . We did miss that first boat but are loaded and at sea now . . . thank you again!

We can track our container, which should arrive in Dar Es Salaam on March 2nd . . . where then we will begin the arduous task of negotiating AROUND the sad corruption of this country to get all of those beautiful donations here . . . to our children . . . to our family!

Asante . . . Sana . . .

Habari kwa Tumaini . . .

2012-01-24T05:47:00.000-08:00

"Shida" . . . "problem" in Kiswahili . . . shida leo? BED BUGS!

New mattresses? 490,000 Shillings, soda/beer to thank the volunteers for washing 14 beds? 45,000, bug spray 62,000 . . . having the good Lord hear our prayer that we got ALL of the BED BUGS . . . priceless . . . oh, my . . .

A number of months ago one of our volunteers went on safari, and "camped" wanting to save money. She came home infested with something and, unfortunately, not all of that something left with the volunteer. Camping may have saved her money but it has caused us a mountain of grief.

Unknowingly, we moved our beautifully constructed bunk beds into our beautiful, new volunteer house last fall. Unfortunately with that move we carried the bed bugs along with the beds. Over the Christmas holiday they were "discovered" (a rather lame word for the obvious)and we began the tedious work of ridding ourselves of them.

We prayed that none had been "left behind" at Tumaini House where our children sleep but we didn't pray hard enough . . . today, while changing sheets, one of our Mamas discovered our little friends. Katy and Mathilde, who are now experienced in eradicating the darlings, and with help from "suddenly itchy" volunteers Anna, Dallas, Jon, Stine and with Lohai and Jeremiah, we dissambled seven sets of bunks, removed 14 mosquito nets for washing and treating, "packaged" about 250 lbs. of children's clothing and blankets, to be insulated in plastic and "cooked" in the sun until any chance of survival has passed, laundered 30 pairs of pyjamas in boiling water (and remember we're still trucking our water in daily), as well as every towel in the house. I know, I know, bed bugs are everywhere, but couldn't they just be everywhere . . . else?

"Cooking" the children's clothing in plastic ensures nothing survives there.

"Where do we sleep Mama?" Liadi and his new hat . . .

Connie and afternoon snack, carrots and cucumbers . . . and a ball!

Pendo and her "lipstick" with Kaka Francis looking on . . .

Three little "big" girls . . . Martha, Neema and Glory!!

Mary is off to the Dream Clinic for her monthly check up and CD4 Count!

Kaka Lohai . . . bad barber . . . BAAAADD!(Yes this is Jenny after the power went off . . . mid cut!)

Mwanhamisi- Ten years old and never able to attend school . . .

until now! With love and thanks to Mama Lisbeth and friends from Norway! You made this possible! She is off to Haradali!!

And a smiling Esther just wants to say, "Hi"!

A Tumaini Spelling Bee . . .

2012-01-22T04:13:00.000-08:00

Kelvin and Harry Potter . . .

In order to bring Kelvin's English comprehension along we work together daily on vocabulary . . . He is currently reading Harry Potter and as he progresses through the book he highlights any words he is unfamiliar with . . . there are quite a few pink highlight marks in his book and after he looks them up in his English/Kiswahili dictionary we review them together, putting them into sentences. Yesterday, he asked me to dictate the words to him for translation and spelling.

Christina and Mary were in the room and decided to join in. Kelvin got all but three right and the attached are Christina's words. They are as follows: 1. perfectly, 2. nonsense, 3. spend, 4. suggest, 5. hummed, 6. mysterious, 7. beefy, 8. moustache, 9. blonde, 10. opinion, (fidia is "fine" in swahili), 11. cloak (not clock but she tried), 12. flooded, (laumu is "blame" in swahili) 13. blame.

Spelling bee-ers Christina and Mary!

Boy are we proud at Tumaini! Recognizing that Kiswahili is a phonetic language (spelled how it sounds), and not having seen these words before, Christina did quite well for herself don't you think?

Liadi, cleaning up at home and "trucking" away the waste!

Liadi has learned to whistle . . . REAL whistling with ups and downs . . . not my monotone style.

Glory, Eliza and Jenny making good choices!!!!

We enjoyed a big success after a bit of a downfall . . . Jenny, Eliza and Glory decided two nights ago not to listen to Mama Chi when she asked them to go to bed quietly, turn off the light and not cause "kilele". The shouted and sang and turned the lights on and off, entering, leaving and reentering their bedroom. Mama came and explained what had happened the next morning and, like all choices we make here, there were consequences . . . this time not so good. The girls were told that after supper and showers they would not stay up and watch a movie with the other children but would go to bed early. Well, each of them made wonderful choices and remained in their room until this morning when they came bounding down to greet me with the good news of the choices they'd made! Baby steps, one at a time and sometimes after one back, yes?

Kaka Michael (Gerehad's sponsor) your socks are too big!!!

The children are enjoying school and Mathilde especially, is loving teaching. This is Mathilde's second term volunteering at Tumaini and her experiences here have given her a definite direction for her future . . . she has decided to become a teacher. We will lose her next month when she returns to Denmark and university but we are so thankful for her love and support of Tumaini and so happy to have been fundamental in her finding her direction for the future!

New Mama Holdem!

We brought "Holdem" home! Holdem is the second cow we were gifted with this Christmas . . . our incredible thanks go to our very kind donors. Because of your help we began our morning yesterday with a big glass of milk for each child AND we'll have babies soon . . . BOTH Dorris AND Holdem are pregnant! We are still undecided as to how to proceed with poor Ranger who is so thin and continues to struggle.

And Mama "Dorris" will give us a baby next month!

Home for Mama Ranger, son Tumaini, Mama Dorris and new Mama Holdem!! Asante Sana!

Stephano and Martha welcome Holdem to Tumaini!

"Pilau" rice with meat and spices, cabbage and pineapple. Lunch & dinner on Sundays!

A strange rash isn't fungal. . . I told Esther she was turning into a mzungu!!! Any suggestions?

Wishing you all the best as your new years begin . . . health, peace, love and success at your ventures. With your continued love and support we are able to provide "tumaini" "hope" for these wonderful children each of you has come to love . . . be well!

Just a little more happiness . . .

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Francis, Jenny, Esther and Gerehad off to Amani Primary School!

Rwekiza, Josephat and Marko, taller than I am now!

Angela and Margaret happy in their new, BIG GIRL bedroom!

We struggle with this fungus every day . . .

Inspecting safi (clean) shelves in the girls' bedroom!!! Ohio Girls Rule!!

Neema says hello!

Pretty Pendo and a lightening bolt!!!!

Mama's room

Priska with her new scarf and earrings . . .

Martha is beginning to come out of her shell!

Peekaboo Neema!

Bedmates and buddies, Connie and Priska

and Pendo and Latifa!!

Eliza is a big girl!

Hanging out in the boys' room . . .

A smiling Stephano

Harriri and our comedian Daniel!

Bibi Ana and grandson Samweli. We provide assistance to this family in the village.

Volunteers Stine and Anna from Denmark working with little Aisha and Liadi . . .

Breakfast Tumaini - Boiled egg, carrot bread and orange wedges.

Zawadi (Joseph) and Daniel

For Mama Debbie and Baba Paul . . .

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For Mama Debbie and Baba Paul,

Antony and his Bibi

Antony Salvatory Assenga, age twelve (we estimate but areuncertain and have requested baptism papers which will verify his birth date). Oddo, my partner, was first made aware ofAntony’s situation by a fellow parishioner who had visited Antony’s villagenear Moshi (about one hour east of Tumaini House) and crossed paths with he andhis grandmother. Oddo’s friend told himof the boy’s plight and condition and Oddo wrote to me in Canada explainingthat, although we had agreed not to take any more children until all of oursare sponsored this particular little boy was in desperate need of whatever helpwe could provide and shared that he would go out to make a home visit andinspection. We see a lot of sadness onthese home visits and Antony’s was no exception.

Antony's bedroom . . .

Oddo reported back that Antony’s father became sick anddied of HIV in 2005 and his mother in 2008. Antony was initially sent to live with his Aunt in Dar es Salaam but shetoo, died in 2010 at which point Antony was returned to his Bibi and the home wherewe would meet him.

Antony's father's grave . . .

Born able to hear, Antony has suffered, for reasons unknown as yet,almost entire hearing loss. He iscompletely deaf in one ear (left) and partially deaf in the other and had been unable to receive the medical attention he needed. Nor could he attend school because theresimply was no money. Debbie, Paul andfamily, you have changed this little boy’s entire life.

I was in the U.S. speaking at my sister’s church in Ohio,the Springboro United Church and the Sunday school teacher, (Debbie) called mein to ask some questions about Tumaini and share some of my experiences withher teen class. She was moved to help us and after adiscussion with her family sent me an email enquiring about sponsorship support for a child. Oddo had updated me on Antony’s situation bythis time and I included him with two other children still requiring assistanceand Debbie chose Antony.

We outfitted Antony's cousins with new uniforms, paid school fees and supplied new clothing . . .

By the time I first met this little boy last month, (he walked up togreet me at Mass – someone must have explained who I was) Antony had been sentto a specialist, assessed and begun treatment. An infestation of chiggers (the same little darling mite whose eggs Ihad brought home burrowed in my foot) acquired by having slept with the family goatsfor security had cleared up and his ears were no longer seeping much. Hearing that Debbie and Paul had taken on sponsorshipsupport of Antony Oddo proceeded to locate a special school, near Moshi, whichteaches both the hearing impaired and hearing and should Antony continue toimprove (he told me his hearing is a bit better in his good ear) he will bemoved into regular school.

(It is 8:28 p.m. . and the children’s movie just ended and,not wanting to go bed, several of them “dropped by”, knocked on my door for “ugs”,“hugs”. Esther, Stephano, Angela andGlory, Margaret and Martha all encouraged Liadi to rap on my door insistingupon ugs before bed. What could I do? It was ugs all around!!)

Canadian volunteers Charlene, Rebecca, Meg and Diane see first hand the living conditions of the poor . . .

I visited Antony’s home with volunteers from Canada(Diane, Becky, Charlene and Meg) and believe the photos speak forthemselves. He slept just feet fromwhere his father is buried, and just inches from the family goats. Although bananas are plentiful and goat`s milkavailable, little else is accessible by his Bibi who does her best to raise herdead son’s child. After our visit webrought Antony to Tumaini House for a few days (he’s been staying with a friendof the family in Usa while undergoing treatment) to get to know us a bit betterand for us to prepare him for school.

A very dear young man . . .

Antony is a very dear little man. Precocious and flirty, he is always ticklingor tricking one of us . . . Completely overwhelmed by what is here at TumainiHouse after leaving his village, Antony was curious and investigated every inchof everything/where he could put his hands on. Every day I discovered that my refrigerator had been turned off .. . Unable to ride a bike, he would push one of ours around the outside of the house and Charlene‘sMom’s homemade flannel pyjamas were an enormous hit with him!

Antony is respectful and courteous and very friendly,free with hugs and gentle. He is sodifferent from so many of the children I have met that I asked from whom helearnt his gentleness. His Bibi told mehis Aunt, her daughter had taught him, but a neighbor explained that it too, was Bibi . . . hehas had good instructors.

Playing with a new toy in the car on the way home . . . his first self portrait . . .

Asante Sana to Mama Debbie and Baba Paul for embarking ongiving this little man a future . . . Karibu Tumaini, welcome . . . come andmeet him! Oddo and I will visit hisschool this month and see how he is settling in and we’ll send you more photosbut for Antony and his Bibi thank you so much for loving him . . . be well!

Busy, Busy . . .

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Tearfulgoodbyes to Nurse Cratchet (okay, so it takes me awhile), Becky and MamaCorosho (she can explain) and Meg after a busy and full two weeks volunteeringtheir love and kindness to our kids . . . later tonight Mama Lizbeth and Matz,(Jon will stay with us awhile longer) head back to Norway . . . thank you thankyou thank you. . . Karibuni to Stine and Anna from Denmark joining us for threemonths and Dallas and Luke from Canada! Luke, sorry about those aching muscles but the kids just don’t see thatmany men, ask Michael or Mark, and speaking of Mark, sorry I missed your earlydeparture but please know how grateful we are to have had you visit and kaributena, come back!!!

First one, and now a second front tooth out . . . Zawadi is "withling"!!!

Afterthe whirlwind of Christmas chaos for all of these children, we are justbeginning to settle back into our school routines. Class I, (first grade) began yesterday withtwenty students and Teacher Winner who is very capably assisted by volunteersKaty, Mathilde and Robyn! Stine, (HappyBirthday tomorrow) and Anna are working with little Aisha and Liadi (wepracticed our printing together this afternoon), and best of best of bestnews???? Esther, Gerhad and Jenny weretested and earned admission to Amani Primary School for second grade!!!! Amani is the 6^th best primaryschool in the country!!! School photosto follow as Oddo, just brought them home and we need to purchaseuniforms!!! All three LOVE the schooland are ready to return Friday (Tomorrow is a national holiday celebrating theZanzibar revolution) and “soma sana”, study hard and speaking of studying hard. . . Francis brought me his homework when he got home and we reviewed thingstogether . . . 100% across the board! He’s going to be #1 again!!!!

Our little Christina's big girl teeth can now come in properly, we hope!!

Just a happy Harriri!!!!

Kelvin,Angela and Margaret are very happily settling into day classes at Haradali andEvalin, Ema, Lazaro, Vitalis and Paskali (Lohai’s brothers), chose toboard! Oddo and I head to the Moshiwholesale market on Friday to find school shoes . . . no we didn’t leave thingsuntil the last minute . . . the best value for school shoes in this country aremade by Bata and there are three stores in the city of Arusha, 30 km.away. We measured our children andheaded to town at the beginning of December to beat the crowds only to be told,“a new shipment will be in closer to the end of the month”. Well, that shipment came three days ago andwe were there, (no, Mathilde was there), shopping . . . no go. We returned to discover that yes, theshipment had come, but it did not include the five most popular children’ssizes.

Pendo - What a Big Girl! Ears pierced and pulled a tooth . . . not a whimper!!

Ienjoyed my first shower in a week today . . . no buckets for me!!! And electricity so the shower was HOT! And we helped Pendo take out her first babytooth!!! My collection is growing!! Zawadi’s other front tooth fell out but he doesn’t remember where! Colds and sore throats are healing and thefamily is doing well! I checked onDorris, our mama cow who was resting comfortably in her new stall and the roofshould be finished over her tomorrow! Lohai’s squash (he discovered he LOVED it when he was in Canada) is inflower so we’ll be enjoying that soon!

Mary Minja, at university in Dar, had a break-in at home and all of her clothes were stolen. We've sent her some money to tide her over and are assembling a package of clothes to send down on the bus.

Rose, our Mana OVC Scholarship winner just aced her national exam

Ithas been incredibly HOT, but last night and tonight the winds are blowing likemad . . . the dogs still bark and the roosters still crow all night but somehowthe kilele (noise) of it is becoming normal . . . we hope the container willarrive by the end of February but keep your fingers crossed . . . Thank youagain, and as always for loving us . . . it is only with your continued carethat we can thrive as we do! Asante forthat!!!

Back to School and Lost a Tooth!!!

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Evalin is happy to be returning to Haradali to begin Class III

Francis beginning at Amani School #6 best in the country. He is #1!!!

Our driver Jeremiah delivery precious cargo to school!

Lazaro returns to Class II, # 5 in his class of 65!!!

Margaret and Angela begin Class III

Vitalis (l) Lohai's brother and Emmanuel head to Haradali!

Vitalis, Kelvin, Angela, Evalin, (front row) Emmanuel, Lazaro, Paskali and Margaret back to school!

And Zawadi, which means "gift" in Swahili presented his closed fist to me saying, "Mama, chukua", Mama, take. Inside was his first lost tooth!!!

Heri Mwaka Mpya kwa Tumaini!!!!

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Happy New Year from Tumaini!!!!

Our darlings Anna and Latifa!

It has been a bit of a struggle getting to the New Year but we’rehere and we’d like to wish each of you the happiest and healthiest of2012! We’re a tad dirtier for the mostpart going on our fourth day without water at Tumaini House, but, nonetheless,we’re here and safe and healthy (for the most part) and happy! Not everyone is feeling 100%. A nasty bug is going through the volunteerhouse and Francis, Gerhad and Harriri have come down with the same bug, givingthem a deep, deep cough. Raymond too,studying at Makumira for his national exam is fighting the flu. It is hot and difficult bathing so manychildren from buckets but our landlord has promised to install a water tanksoon, so that we might reserve water when it runs, for times (oh so manylately) when it does not.

Every day is laundry day at Tumaini . . . Dada Katy, fighting a very sore throat, in the rear!!!!

Our new cow house is nearing completion and will be home for Ranger (for as long as we have her), Tumaini and new Mama to be, Dorris and we have located another pregnant cow which will arrive after construction is complete . . . thank you again, SO much to our donors who so generously provided us with Christmas cattle!!!

Thank you Kaka Michael . . . thank you . . . sana . . .

Tumaini Brothers Michael McCann (l), Gilbert (c) and Mark Lloyd summit under terrible conditions . . .

Michael (Gerhad's sponsor) and Mark, friends from Australia summited Kilimanjaro in the worst weather Gilbert, their guide, has ever seen in his more than 250 climbs! Horizontal rain and terrific winds made the climb extremely difficult and dangerous for everyone but they succeeded and we couldn’t be more proud of them! Michael and Mom worked hard before the climb fundraising for Tumaini and the local newspaper, The Fremantle Press, has offered to donate in honor of Michael’s success so we’ll keep you informed of his grand total but we’d all like to say Asante Kaka Michael and Mark and Mama please feel better soon!!! The children miss all of you too much!!! So does Mama!!!

Michael at camp, summit in the rear

Safely back at Tumaini, Michael, Mark and Watoto thank donors on our behalf!!! Asante!!!!

We often need to go to town to provision Tumaini and lastweek was no exception . . . I try to take a rotation of children with me whenI can to allow them some time away from home and some special time with Mama .. . last week Kelvin, Francis and Glory escorted me while we bought schoolsupplies. Enroute, Glory, who hasadopted the title, “Mama Dee Mdogo”, (little Mama Dee) poor thing, sang quietly all the way totown, some 30km. asking questions here and there which prompted meto ask her when she had last gone totown? “Never”, was her response. “Never”,I asked? “Never”. She answered. Not once has Glory gone to town to look atdresses, or shoes, or toys, or gone out for a meal . . . we did all of thattogether! Like most of our girls, Glorywants a “western” outfit . . . knee length skirt, bolero or shrug style jacketand simple tee underneath. The problem quality. The clothing here isincredibly poorly made and of the lowest quality. The girls would be so much farther ahead topurchase a kitangi (large piece of beautifully colored fabric) and have us makethem an outfit, but, like all little girls, they want what they think is the “rage”,quality be gone!!!! We’re working onit!!!!

Mama Lizbeth and her new "daughter" Elizabeth, will look for Tumaini support in Norway! Asante!

You will remember the Egles family who visited us fromCanada and are helping with our solar installation? Dave, his wife, Jackie and their childrenJordan and Christopher? I forgot to mentiona beautifully innocent question posed to me by one of our children when Ishared with them that Baba Dave was bringing his watoto (children) with him . . . “Mama,do you have children in Canada?” Becauseour volunteers are adults and the children hadn’t been fortunate to meet any,they were unaware that our countries produced any little ones likethemselves!!! It was a cute question andChristopher and Jordan’s (although she is a big girl!) answered their query!!!

We had some terribly sad news for Eva, Margaret and Tonywho had to go home to give condolences to the family . . . their 24 year oldAunt died of a cocaine and pombe, (a local homebrew) overdose. Hard drugs are everywhere I guess, and are particularly tragichere where there is no social assistance for addiction. I was saddened further to discover she left anine year old son behind, now without any parent (the father fled as so many do) . . . so, sad.

Mama Char & a pooped out Pendo!!

Athumani, you may note, is missing from almost allChristmas photos . . . you will remember that he elbowed poor Beth in the face(one of our volunteers working with Athumani), almost breaking her nose afterbecoming jealous over sharing her with others and falling into a rage? After that incident we called a familymeeting to discuss how we would deal with his outbursts . . . Athumani, and allprimary students are off for the month of December and the family feared anotherissue so took him for “prayer” . . . traditional practices used to “cure” achild of “evil” spirits, etc. Our psychiatrist, Dr. Pat, diagnosed Athumanwith PTSD and came prepared to work with him for the month, but he was whiskedaway . . . calls went unanswered until we finally announced that we had noother option but to go the police unless Athuman was returned. We visit families all the time where a childis dropped into the lap of a bibi who is unable to provide proper care, orworse and we were afraid for Athuman . . . Several meetings later Baba Athumancame to speak with us with Bibi on his mother’s side, who has custody . . .Baba, (father) shared that, as a family, and afraid that in a rage Athumanmight become more violent than he did with Beth, they decided to “cure”him. You will be surprised to hear thatthe “traditional” methods were unsuccessful . . . Dr. Pat and I were terriblyfrustrated because, in their fear and ignorance they prohibited Athuman fromobtaining some much needed counselling! After our meeting today, Baba assured us that he will call his parentsand have Athuman returned to Tumaini. Both Katy’s and my first question was, “when”? Baba has promised to call us at the latest,tomorrow, about when we might be able to have our little man back . . .

Our bravest girl Margaret went first to get her ears pierced with Mamas Diane and Rebecca!!

Even Pendo and Latifa didn't miss out !!!

Thanks to Nurse Crotchet, “Diane” and Mama Rebecca forspending the afternoon piercing the girls’ ears earlier this week and thank youMama Julie for providing us such a safe and efficient piece of equipment fordoing so! They are over the moon and noteven an “ouch” came out of a single one! I know what’s going on the list for Christmas NEXT year!!!!!!

The container is on its’ way . . . sort of. A mess with the trucking company had ourcontainer delayed just long enough for it to miss the boat . . .literally. It is in Brampton, Ontario orMontreal, QC and will leave on January 18^th . . . it is STOCK fullof goodies for us and we can’t wait for it to arrive!!! Asante Sana again Baba “C” for loving us andto all of our friends in Ohio and Ontario who helped so very much to make thishappen! We should expect it the end ofFebruary!!!!

L/R Alex, Ano, Gerhad and John reunited!!

So! Yesterday I amsitting at my desk working when three young gents in red t-shirts stroll in . .. I vaguely recognize the eldest boy, I think, but no! It’s not him I recognize, but his MUCHyounger brother, GERHAD . . . OUR Gerhad!!! The boys are his brothers, John 15, Ano, 12, and Alex, 10, who were askind and polite as our own little man, WHO by the way, was not so interested inspending time with them . . . we’ve seen this before and suspect it is a fearthe child conjures about being returned to the life he came from. Many times, for example, when the children gohome to greet their families, Harriri, stays behind. We give them the choice to stay or go for avisit (most of them) and Harriri declines . . . I think the loss of his motheris still too raw for him to be comfortable with his extended family in thefamilial home he lived in at her death . . .

School starts tomorrow!!!! Shoes and uniforms and several hundred poundsof exercise books have been purchased . . . YOU have supplied us so wonderfullywith pens and pencils and crayons and markers and math sets and rulers anderasers and specialthanks to the classes of St. Michael’s University School and Glen Lyon NorfolkSchool in B.C. and to Mama, Dada Jordan and Kaka Christopher for oh sogenerously providing us pencil cases!!!!! Asante Sana!!!!

Let me close with a photo of our precious Mary who just returned from a visit to her Bibi. She has asked to repeat Form I, the equivalent of first level in secondary school. You will remember how sick she was last year, in failure of her antiretroviral medications and that her HIV status had blown up into AIDS.She was so sick and struggled in class and feels she does not possess a strong enough foundation upon which to take the next step academically.I am terribly proud of her choices and with blessings from Aunt Mayre and the Goodman family, we will honour her wishes!

Heri mwaka mpya – Happy New Year! And thank you . . . SOOOOOOOO very much, for loving all of us here at Tumaini!!!

Twas the day after the day after Christmas . . .

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Christina LOVES Christmas!!!

Liadi and our Christmas tree!

Connie got a new hat!!!

Neema and Glor received gifts from Southampton U.K. Rotary from the Dream Clinic here in Usa River!

Our prince . . . Francis!

Where to begin with our celebrations this year? First of all thank you, sponsors andsupporters of our precious children. This is truly I believe, the spirit God intended for all of us when hetold us to care . . . they thoroughly enjoyed Christmas #2 at TumainiHouse! Gifts, both given AND received byour children who decorated teeshirts as a gift for another child. Oddo and I each received one, signed by allof the children! Thank you Katy forthat!!!

Some of the children made personal gifts for family andeach child who visited (if they had someone to) on Christmas day took a kilo ofsugar as a special gift! Our childrenare learning how to give, now that they find themselves in a position to do so,and although it is a new emotion for some of them, many of our little peopleare inherent givers, sharing from the moment they arrived at TumainiHouse. The act of giving allows them asense of fulfillment and it makes them happy! We see it every day in the cards they create for us and the letters andnotes (In ENGLISH!!!) we receive!

Tumaini purchased a chicken and 1 kg. of rice for eachfamily member of Mana OVC, our orphan outreach group of sixty and also for ourAIDS support group Langa ya Iruva. Noone in our Tumaini circle went hungry this Christmas . . . thank you so muchfor that!

Latifa says thank you Jenna!

And we were busy! Christmas for a family this size is a ton of work so sincere thanks goout to all of Santa’s helpers who wrapped, and wrapped and stuffed and stuffed(can you imagine 40 some odd stockings?) thank you Katy, Mathilde, Alison, MamaLizbeth who not only brought gifts but prewrapped them and not only gifts butface paint and nail polish and some of the best chocolate I have ever tasted(Norwegian!) And to Robyn who would notbe outdone and gifted us with Timtams, an Australian staple, Koala bears andchocolate bears for the children!!!

L/R Jon, Mama Lizbeth and Matz from Norway

ToJon for whipping up a workshop for Lohai and heading up the painting of ourclassroom, and Matz for spackling cement, sous chefing for Baker Rachel and forloving our children! Matz joined usdespite having been mugged just the week before he came and has travelled toTanzania with a broken jaw and an immersion blender! It has been an interesting eating experience forhim. We baked (gingerbread no less thank you Rachel)and Nana’s Christmas Fudge Pudding (Mama Rebecca, Michael and Rachel), and howdo we thank all the McCann clan both here and at home in Australia for notsimply embracing Tumaini but working tirelessly on an extremely successfulfundraising drive spearheaded by Michael who left two days ago to summit MountKilimanjaro with us as his beneficiaries! Asante sana to all of Michael’s supporters, to Mama Michael fororganizing and supporting and to everyone back home who has so generouslycontributed to the futures of our children!! Asante!!!

Michael, now climbing Mount Kilimanjaro on behalf of us, Mom Rebecca and Rachel McCann

Dave Egles of Home Energy Solutions checking our wiring

To David and Jackie and Jordan and Christopher Egles fromCanada who took time from their holiday to visit Tumaini and organize theinstallation of our solar power system which will supplement our electricitywhich is, as so many people who have visited can attest to, intermittent atbest, and for helping us fundraise to pay for it, how do we thank you? Dave and Jackie’s solar business, Home EnergySolutions of Victoria, British Columbia and Barrie, Ontario discovered Tumainijust over a month ago and by accident. We began talking about our need here for solar supplementation and, asit turns out, the family was coming to Tanzania on holiday over Christmas. Being the remarkable people they are, theEgles, (all of them including Jordan who has committed to fundraising to helppay for the project and additionally, Christopher whose classes helped collectand assemble more than 100 pencil cases stuffed with all kinds of goodies forschool) decided they had to help us help our children and Dave had his staffrace around assembling the components we needed in order to allow them to beincluded in our container which ships this week! Enormous Asantes to all of you for lovingus!!!

Thank you to Dave, Jordan, Christopher and Jackie Egles!!!!

Oddo and his new tea set.

Bibi Pat is enroute home after a month with us at Tumainiand she will be missed. She not onlyorchestrated our first Tumaini Christmas pagent, but made the costumes,doctored our sick (and we had some I’m afraid), and made some home visits, but additionally,lived amongst and loved every one of the children here at Tumaini! We are so grateful for you loving us andkaribu tena Bibi, welcome again!!!

Thanks also must be extended to Robyn, Rachel and Rebeccafor paying not only for a Tumaini swim and picnic day but also for our sixtyMana OVC children! The children LOVEswimming/paddling/playing and although I was home with a sick Glory who consumedeither bad food or water while she was visiting her mother (who, by the way isdoing remarkably well of late!) and spent the night and most of the next day vomitingup everything that passed her lips, the rest of Tumaini’s family had anabsolutely WONDERFUL time and we must say THANK YOU!

Dorris, one of our new Christmas Cows!!!

We were not only blessed with one cow this Christmas butalmost THREE! We’re rebuilding ourstable and will receive “Hold’em” once her new home is ready. “Dorris” (see the photo) arrived just beforeChristmas. Thank you again to theFortsen grandchildren and to our other anonymous benefactors. BOTH cows are pregnant and our little herdwill grow again within the next couple of months. We wait for our veterinarian to instruct uson how best to deal with sick Mama Ranger, but Tumaini may have some seriousbeef on its’ hands in the near future if the doctor says so!!!!

Loading the container with all kinds of goodies!

On its' way!!!!

Finally, on the home front . . . to everyone who has workedso hard to help us help our children, Asante! In the U.S. for shipping your many donations, for working so incrediblyhard and for your oh so generous donation OF the container and the shipping,thank you, thank you! In Canada, forworking so incredibly hard to get things together and on their way, and forstaffing our little Panorama Park Cider and Donut booth, (thank you Cider Kegand The Apple Place) for expanding Tumaini awareness and raising much neededfunds, thank you! As I close, my husbandcontinues to text me, teasing that the porch is filling with much needed towelsfor Tumaini so thank you for that also!

Michael (l) with Gerhad & Mark with Liadi training for their climb

Pendo says thank you Mama Katie and Heidi!!

Tony loved his gift!!!!

Watoto making gingerbread

Glory improves, the children are well and we’ve gotalmost all of our fungal issues under control. Evalin started antibiotics today for an ear infection and Raymond hascome down with a sore throat and a thick chest. Gerhad, Jenny and Martha still have ugly coughs and Mama Michael patchedup what was left of the end of Zawadi’s big toe after he stubbed it and torethe skin off the end, but for the most part we are well and more than satedfrom holiday treats! Dinner includedchicken and goat, mashed potatoes (WITH GRAVY), a sweet banana dish which Ilove, and Oddo’s wife’s wonderful carrot vegetable dish! We all sat around our new dining table(s)together, as a family! It was glorious!

We couldn't eat our Christmas goat . . . had to choose another!

The weather is hot but it has rained nightly for the lastthree days. We wake to no water but it seems to return in the afternoons oflate and the electricity has been “respectful” of the holiday season! Oddo and I go to town tomorrow to purchaseback to school supplies and we wait for our container to arrive. How lucky are we to be loved by all of you?

Happy New Year Tumaini friends and family . . . we areso, SO very grateful to call you such!!! Be well!!

Reward came home for Christmas!!!

Our very merry Christmas in Bethlehem . . .

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Mary, Joseph, and the Innkeeper

Mary held Baby Jesus . . .

Baby Jesus!

Tony held the shining star

A choir of angels

Little Drummer Boy . . .

We three kings . . .

Our shining star

Christmas zawadis . . .

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care . . .

Twas the night before Christmas . . .

December 19th from under the net!

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Mama Lizbeth from Norway outfits Wema and Winnifred, the Chikira sisters, with gifts from home

Evalin, Angela and Margaret with new dresses after a trip to town!

It is 7:54 p.m. and I’m in bed watching Evalin wash her facewith my clay cleanser (thank you Julie). For someone so young she’s starting with pimples already and is self-consciousabout it. Aisha needs to watch her andAngela is watching Aisha watch Eva! Glory just came for the company. What is really happening is Glory, not wanting to go to bed (songs havejust ended) is trying to stay up with the bigger girls but she’s caught! Pendo gets to sleep with Mama tonight soshe’s in their giving instructions to all her bigger sisters!

Priska sends her thank you to Mama Cindy her sponsor

Angel & Glory say thank you to Mama Kathy

We’ll get our Christmas “shrubbery” soon and decorateit. The volunteers have been incrediblybusy preparing for Tumaini’s second Christmas and all of us are excited . . .

On the home front, pole (sorry) for all of the work beingdone both in the U.S. and Canada, getting our container together and ready togo. Photos will follow but we here atTumaini must thank all of you for your love, hard work and support! We are so, very grateful. . .

Reward is responding to his meds. He has a parasite in his brain caused fromeating undercooked pork. The treatmentis almost as bad as the parasite, except we’re hoping he’ll heal and be wellagain. Today we met a man who suffersterribly from elephantiasis, see the photo and requires surgery to drainit. His name is David and Dr. Pat hasoffered to help him get the surgery he requires . . .

Volunteers Mark, Erica, Rachel, Michael and Jon paint our classroom with the children

Jon from Norway, never stops asking what he can do o help!

There are so many people to thank for help this year . . .first and foremost our sponsors, new and old for continuing to love and supportus . . . you will receive your child’s report soon and please know how gratefulthey are for having you in their lives . . . we’ve been gifted this Christmaswith not one but TWO cows for Tumaini and should have them this week . . .thank you donors for making this enormous difference in the lives of ourchildren! Milk! Every day!

The children read . . . Glory, Harriri, even Latifa basicwords. Jenny too! Some of us are struggling . . . Evalin,Athuman, Vitalis, Paskaly and Kelvin, but for the most part their difficultiessurround language and reading and that takes practice. We continue to work on that also.

We enjoy fresh bread every few days because of ouroven. A new dish added to our menuincludes potatoes, green beans and meat mixed in a light tomato sauce . . .it’s delicious and nutritious.

Angel and Margaret wrapping gifts for volunteers. They are so happy to give back

Eva and Francis busy wrapping . . .

To each of you in the bustle of Christmas we say thank you,so very much. There is so much we dohere every day and when I look around I reflect upon how little we wouldactually be able to do without you and your help. . . to Osteroya Kindergartenin Norway, Mama Lizbeth and Matz and Jon thank you so much for your kindness,your incredible donation, support and your hard work here at Tumaini. To kaka Michael and the McCann (Rebecca andRachel) clan here AND at home in Australia . . . how do we thank you forembracing not only Gerhad but all of us here at Tumaini and gifting us withyour presence, your incredible fundraising efforts (follow Michael McCann onhis Kili climb for Tumaini) leaving Dec. 26^th, to Erica who willleave us on the 21^st but must return, for loving Athuman, to Robynand Mathilde, Alison and Katy, day after day after day . . .

From Oddo and myself, to each of you. Our sincerest thanks for helping us help ourchildren to enjoy a second Tumaini Christmas . . . to God for keeping all of ussafe and together . . . our condolences to good friend and Tumaini supporterBlair D. on your loss, our prayers are with you, to our mother Margaret, youalso at this time of concern, and to each and every person who has reached outto us at Tumaini, Merry, Merry Christmas to you and yours with wishes forpeace, health and happiness in the year ahead.

Happy Birthday Harriri!!!

2011-12-12T10:55:00.000-08:00

A wonderful sixth birthday for Harriri, was had by all today! (Harriri and little brother Liadi)

December 11th from under the net . . .

2011-12-11T11:50:00.001-08:00

December 11^th from Mama under the net . . .

Lying here at 10:00 p.m. with Harriri asleep beside me. It reminds me of our shared time together in the hospital! We will celebrate his sixth birthday tomorrow and he has chosen to come to town with us to provision to Tumaini House . . . I've been wanting to catch you up a bit but the internet has been terrible. Burger night was an absolute blast and we threw in ice cream! It is unusually HOT, the hottest I have ever experienced and with limited refrigeration, to say the least, very little of our food is ever COLD! It was a nice treat . . .

I am enclosing Mary, Neema’s and Glory’s clinic cards with their CD4 counts . . . Mary was in failure when we met her an a VERY sick little girl, her CD4 at just 21 . . . amazing what a little TLC and proper adherence to one’s ARV’s can do!

We’ve been busy! Christmas preps are on the go and I continue to enjoy Xmas carols from the children. I think we may be having a pagent or something, but I’m not supposed to know anything . . . something is in the works!

Our most amazing volunteers Rebecca, Michael and Rachel from Australia, along with Erica and Robin who has just arrived . . . Mathilde, Katy of course, and Alison has come “home”to her Tanzanian digs for the holidays! They and the children have been BUSY with crafts of all kinds! The house is being decorated, tshirts are being painted, I heard a threat of a gingerbread bakeoff upcoming and we still read and practice our “maths”. The children are spectacular . . . I’m washing heads morning and night with antifungal shampoo and Rebecca laughed because every time a new child with ringworm enters my site line, a tube of antifungal cream instantly appears! Thank you again, Dr. Rob and Dell Pharmacies in Burlington, Ontario!

I am hoping there is not too much chaos at home with respect to the container shipping and truly wish I could be there to help, BUT! Honestly! I’d so much rather be here! Please, all of you doing all of this work to help us help these little ones, thank you so much!

You will remember Reward, our university student who fell and hit his head when a munitions depot began exploding and has experienced continued blackouts, pain and dizziness? Well, we'll have the results this week!

Sending so much thanks home to everyone who embraces us here at Tumaini House and especially our hardworking bunch trying to get the container shipped . . . although I must confess I'd rather be here with the children, I am so incredibly grateful for your love and incredible generosity . . . Asante. Our children are thriving because of your love and I am ruefully aware of how very different their little lives would be without your continued support . . . Asante kwa watoto Tumaini! Thank you from the Tumaini children!

I’m enclosing a few more fun shots for you to enjoy . . . be safe and happy with your holiday preparations! Badaye! Later!

Sorry for not writing sooner, I've been playing with the children!

2011-12-07T01:54:00.000-08:00

Happy to be home Evalin

Kelvin says "Hi Laci!"

December 4^th from Mama

Well, we arrived safely and after a comfortable KLM flight. If only we could persuade them to allow us more baggage KLM would become the ideal airline! Breezed through passport/visa clearance, by the by they’ve constructed a new visa window, larger, so things clear a bit more quickly. Got snagged at customs (I don’t know what their problem was, what, with Pat and I lugging 17 bags between us! (Thank you again Amanda!)

What a greeting! Latifa, Harriri (he always sneaks in), Stefano, Anna, and Oddo of course, Lohai and Jeremiah all greeted us at the airport, loaded things into the gari (vehicles) and we were on our way home! The children stayed up waiting (which is quite an effort for a group of little ones as busy as ours and we were received in song and by TONS of hugs and cuddles! They are all fabulous! After a late night snack of sambosa we were off to bed, me with our two youngest in tow, Liadi and Latifa, who by the way has gone home with her mother for the holiday and was soooo very happy to do so! We attempt to reconcile any of our children with their families as often as possible so they don’t lose touch and Latifa, after spelling several words in English (not that her mother would know if she was correct), we packed her up and sent her home with Mama. A happy little girl and a happier Mama!

I have been walking around here weepy with happiness as I listen to Pendo read a story or dictate his letters to Liadi, our baby. Almost everyone here can read at least a simple story now. Christina, Pendo, Latifa, and the older children, Harriri, and Gerhad for example, are whizzes! It is overwhelming when I recollect from where they started . . .

We do have our concerns here. Oddo and I sat Daniel down to tell him about his Mama’s death. We held his hand and explained that his mother was no longer sick, (AIDS ) as his last memories of her were of her being so, but that she was with God now and could see him every day and would be so very happy to know that he was safe and healthy and happy . . . and learning. We explained that when he says his prayers at night he can talk to his Mama and she’ll hear him. There was not one tear. I questioned him and he did understand . . . we are keeping a special eye on him . . .

Harriri, Liadi and Athuman’s brothers Gaspar and Deo came to visit and although Liadi ran to his kakas to greet them, Harriri, I noticed hung back, quite serious. I had to ask him to come and greet them. After they left I called Harriri into my bedroom to ask why he didn’t want to be near his brothers. He didn’t have an answer, but after a couple of minutes he began to sob . . . Harriri cries silently, as do many children here, and this was very quiet sobbing but sobbing none the less. You will remember, that his mother was murdered last year and I asked if it was his Mama . . . he told me no, and withdrew but when I asked him if he wanted to be alone for a while, he told me no and asked me to bring our lunches into my bedroom which I did. Harriri is usually a high energy child, but can brood, as does Athuman his brother and we continue to investigate what brings this darkness and how best we can help. Athuman suffered before his mother’s death but is new for Harriri. We can usually tickle or cajole him out of a mood and we repeat REGULARLY that the children have the power to choose every day if they’d like to be happy or sad. I remind Harriri if he needs some special Mama time, I am here . . . he too, we have an eye on . . .

You may remember Reward, our university student? Well, earlier this year there were some explosions from a munitions depot very near his university and Reward was thrown from his bed. He hit his head on the concrete floor and was knocked unconscious. He has intermittently suffered from dizziness, severe headaches and falls unconscious periodically. We have investigated a head scan for him but, with the public hospital’s machine broken, we need to send him to a private clinic and that will cost 220,000 TZS or about $140.00 CAD. We are working on this . . .

Dada Katy and watoto

Sponsors, your Xmas gifts are being handed out pole, pole, (slowly, slowly) in private and the children are ecstatic. Thank you so very much! We are BUSY here, inventorying clothing, repairing uniforms, interviewing teachers for next year and developing our educational programs. I though, am spending almost every moment of every day with the children and LOVING every minute of it! They are for the most part, healthy and happy and Dr. Pat is here and taking care of those feeling under the weather.

Best buds and bros Harriri and Liadi

Pretty Priska

Esther!

Our booth is proceeding (sorry for all the bad weather in Simcoe!) and we thank volunteers for coming out to help. Please send my husband Steve an email steve@mybrokersteve.com if you would like to help and our container is preparing for shipment! Thank you, again, to EVERYONE who has contributed to this container! How blessed are we?

I will close but enjoy the photos! We are well and loving each other and are so very grateful for your continued support . . .

Our new dining table!

Mary and Aisha . . .

Neema always gives us a smile!

Ema and Lazaro, best friends forever!

Preparing for Christmas!

2011-11-24T09:18:00.000-08:00

Whew! It has been a BUSY couple of weeks starting with volunteers from Holy Trinity Catholic High School and Delhi District Secondary School’s “Me to We” group (along with my sidekick John, daughter Amanda and girlfriend Joanie) who spent all day Saturday and Sunday sorting and packing clothes, shoes, toys, bicycles, desks, furniture, linens, medical supplies, etc. for our soon departing container! Thank you to Bill H. for donating the shipping boxes! We are still trying to locate a diesel generator AND if anyone knows where we might find a 40’ shipping container at a discounted price we’d be VERY grateful! (If you don’t ask, the answer is ALWAYS No, right?) The price of a shipping container has increased shockingly since we purchased our last one!

B.C., Asante for gifting us with a new LARGE screen television for our family to enjoy on weekends . . . We do not have television at Tumaini but on Friday and Saturday nights, IF we have electricity, the children get to choose between music or movies . . . sometimes there were upwards of 50 people craning to see a 27” screen. Not anymore!

Soooooooooo many of you have worked so hard to help us get donations together and again, how blessed have we been to find a donor generous enough to help us get all of these new treasures TO Tumaini House? Asante to you, friend!

Babas Steve & John and Kaka Luke

As if things aren’t busy enough around here, we have been welcomed to join the Simcoe Panorama of Lights with a Tumaini display booth where we will be selling Hot Apple Cider (Thank you Cider Keg) and cinnamon doughnuts (Asante The Apple Place) and we NEED YOUR HELP!!! Local Tumaini supporters, the lights are being turned on in Wellington Park this Saturday November 26^th and will run through New Year! We need volunteers to man our booth and serve our visitors from 6-9 p.m. daily. You will be out of the elements but dress warmly!! If you are able to help please email my husband Steve (steve@mybrokersteve.com) with dates of availability . . . high school students this will count as volunteer hours!!!

And thanks must go out to Mennonite Savings and Credit Union (Aylmer) volunteers Libby Seitz, Elaine Cowan and Lisa Neufeld (with Jenna McDowell) for spending the day assembling ALL that remains of our Christmas Giving Campaign! You will remember last year where we sold everything from chicks to cows? Well we’ve assembled our remaining gift packs and they are ready for ordering. If you’d like to purchase a gift for a teacher, letter carrier, mother inlaw, or spouse who has everything, please send me an email or, make a donation online at www.tuchifo.com request what you’d like and we’ll get it out to you!

$10.00 - 12 chicks

$20.00 - one bag of Maize (a staple food source)
$30.00 - helping our garden grow (seeds, fertilizer and fuel for irrigation)
$40.00 - sorry, we’re sold out of goats right now.
$50.00 - one bag of beans (a vital protein source and staple food source for us)
$100.00 - towards the purchase of a new cow (two if we can sell our remaining 26!)

FYI – Our mama cow Ranger is sick and we are going to have to replace her. We have spent hundreds of thousands of shillings on veterinarian bills this year. Tumaini, the baby is growing and strong but milk for our children is the issue and Tumaini is a boy. We estimate the cost to purchase one female (hopefully pregnant) cow to be around $1,000.00 and we have 26, $100.00 donations left to sell this year. The sale of ALL our remaining cow gift cards would allow us to purchase TWO cows and build a needed addition onto our cow house! Please help support us will you?

Finally, we have recently been in touch with a solar firm in western Canada who is working madly to include a solar installation for Tumaini in our container shipment. For those “Tumainites” who have lived with us in Tanzania you know how challenging it can be to find the house pitched into darkness (sunset is 7:00 p.m. year round) or unable to keep food in the refrigerator because we’ve had no power for too many days, OR, the battery on our computer, cell phone, camera, or the HOT WATER HEATER (if we have water) depletes. We have enough challenges at Tumaini House each day, loving and raising our children without trying to do it in the dark, hmmmm?

We need help . . . your help. If possible, please consider making a donation to assist us in getting this system installed and working at Tumaini . . . our solar friends will contribute 25% of what we do so let’s please make this happen!

I am leaving in one week! As my new Aussie sister Rebecca says, “Only seven more sleeps”! I invite those of you who have not done so yet to get me your letters, photos, modest gifts for your sponsored child and as always I send out BUCKETS of gratitude for the love and continued support you show Tumaini.

There are so very many people to thank for this year’s success. To new friends and old, please know that our kids thrive today because of you. Because of the dedicated support you continue to shower us with. Because of your commitment. There are so many charities to help . . . so many children requiring assistance and it is ONLY because of you that we continue to grow, that our kids are healthy, that they play and dream . . . and hope. From the absolute bottom of my heart, for all of us at Tumaini, Asante. Sana! Thank you VERY much.

It feels good to help people in need doesn’t it? I know that feeling and so do each of you. I ran into Deacon Frank from our church this afternoon and we spoke about it . . . that feeling of purpose . . . of fulfillment we discover when, thinking beyond ourselves, we reach out to someone else and give them what they need, be it food, medical care, a place to lay their head, or sometimes, just a hug. This is especially powerful when we’re involved with children, the sick and the elderly. I do not know how to thank each of you for allowing us to be your connection to that feeling . . .

We lost Bibi Bad Eyes this week and young Daniel’s mother has succumbed to AIDS. Our prayers of peace are sent with them and our hopes for a full, healthy, love filled life surround Daniel. He already shines . . . Happy Holidays!!

Daniel when we first me him . . .

And our little man today!

A Message from Mama . . .

2011-11-17T11:28:00.000-08:00

We lost a friend today . . . Bibi “Bad Eyes” a wonderfully old lady we’ve been providing aid to died this morning and we send her off with prayers of thanks for her life, her kind heart which she showed to all of us and her strength. That she lived so very long under such difficult circumstances is a testament to her fortitude and to God’s blessing.

My partner Oddo brought me to Bibi Bad Eyes in August of 2009 when he was made aware of her neglect by family. Homebound by virtual blindness, Bibi (grandmother) was not being tended by grandchildren whom, we assume, anticipated her death so they could take her “room”.

Bibi had lived a relatively successful life and had acquired a home “compound” with many rooms. Each was filled with family or rented out to generate income. As she aged she realized she would need assistance and thus, with no living children, bequeathed her property to her brother and retained a “life estate” on her one room. Her brother immediately died and the property transferred to his children.

When Oddo and I met Bibi, she had been relegated to “the room at the end of the hall”, an unfinished brick structure with, not a STONE floor, but one made of boulders, loose boulders piled in to be used as a sub material for a future floor. It was neither smooth nor level. The room had no window (the opening was covered over with a piece of roofing metal) and poor Bibi stumbled around in the dark, tripping over the unevenness of her floor and balancing her bed and a small stool on the boulders. Oddo and I were ashamed to discover that the rest of the rooms had both windows AND smooth, cement flooring.

We got to work and hired some tradesmen who cemented her floor and installed a window. We visited weekly to check on our Bibi and to pass money and small foodstuffs along to her to ensure she remained healthy. She LOVED meat! When she became ill we got her medical care. She was a grand lady, tiny in stature (less than 100 lbs.) and reminded me of my own Nana.

I visited Bibi often and every time I arrived after my return from Canada Bibi would berate me for having been away too long. She would then insist I sleep at her “house” (I never actually did but not because she didn’t try), and she would “bless” me for my goodness taking my extraordinarily large (for a woman) hands into her tiny ones (they too reminded me so much of my Nana) and pull me to her and then (brace yourself) spit in my face! Definitely not an advisable practice but something she insisted be done and something I simply couldn’t say no to! It was the only thing she had to give me . . . an African custom where an elder bestows an honor upon a subordinate! Oddo, or Grace and I would joke with each other when we visited Bibi and I suggested it was someone else’s turn to be blessed, but it was always me, they argued, who should have the honor . . .

She was a lovely, gentle, kind lady and we did all we could to allow her comfort in her final years. We are grateful to have known her, hope that she rests now and send our prayers of thanks to God and ask that He receive and welcome her into her new home . . .

A GOD TESTIMONY

2011-11-07T19:51:00.000-08:00

Click here to See Liadi's Boogie, Woogie "Super Boy!"with thanks to Emily O'Keefe

November 6th from God . . . and Mama
First of all the children are fine after a number of them “poisoning” themselves (think diarrhea and vomiting) from eating green mangoes from a nearby tree. Children kept falling ill, leaving us all confused until the beans (or green mangoes) were finally spilled. All are well on the mend. Unfortunately, hot on the heels of the mango mystery, Katy became very sick with a bacterial infection but she too, with a dose of antibiotics and some clear fluids and time, is healing also.

An enormous thank you to our new printer "Stan" and company. It is only with help like yours that we are able to send 100% of every dollar donated to Tumaini, TO Tumaini. Asante Sana new Tumaini friend (who declines recognition).

Only 21 days until Dr. Pat and I leave and I encourage all sponsors/donors to send me some recent photos, and a letter or two for your child (along with a VERY modest gift if you choose). I will share your cards, letter and photos with your child and this year many of them will be conversant enough in English to respond! With that I send, as always, my heartfelt thanks for your love and support of these oh so very deserving but needing children! Asante!

And now a GOD story . . .
Many of you will remember I was in Ohio about a month ago updating my sister’s church Springboro United on what has transpired since our last visit in late 2010. Thank you so very much to Pastor Terry, Dane, Terri, and of course my sister Pam for reaching out again in love and support of our kids . . . While I was there Pam arranged a casual breakfast with some of her girlfriends and asked me to share Tumaini’s story with them. You might remember the carload of donations I brought home from that trip . . . the soccer challenge, etc? Well, Jenny was at that breakfast meeting and after hearing how Tumaini came to be and what we’ve accomplished in two short years, she insisted I come and share my story with her adult Sunday school class and so I returned to Ohio last weekend, shared the Tumaini story and, well, have been completely overwhelmed with what has transpired since . . . anyone looking for God’s grace and a miracle or two, (or three) need look no further . . .

After my presentation, and questions, Jenny’s parents invited me to join them for lunch so we could continue our conversation and get to know each other better. I sat across from Jenny’s mother. At a point in the conversation she asked me what immediate needs Tumaini has and I shared with her that we desperately need a “heavy duty washing machine”, as our mamas currently do laundry, for up to 45 people daily, in buckets. It is just too difficult.

Her eyes got big and her mouth opened in that silent “o” of amazement, and then she said, “Cherie, we have a heavy duty washing machine and we aren’t using it!” Now I ask you? What are the odds that the one, rather unique item I present from our needs list would be exactly what they possess and do not need? GOD - +1. (To explain further, Jenny’s parents, in their “retirement”, decided to open a bed and breakfast and minister to pastors and missionaries who could go and stay, rest and recharge for the work they do in their own ministries and the washing machine they had acquired for the job was simply TOO heavy duty for their needs.)

You can imagine our marvel at this “coincidence”, hmmmm and Jenny shared in the excitement also! Jenny works for her brother’s manufacturing company which ships all over the world and she offered to speak to her brother and ask if their shipping guru could work his magic and try to get us a good price on getting the machine to Tanzania. We finished our meal (I was too excited to eat much) and said our goodbyes . . . Jenny promising to be in touch. I came home last Monday morning.

Thursday evening Jenny called and said, “Cherie its Jenny. Sit down. I spoke with my brother and he gave me permission to ask our shipping manager to look for decent fares to ship to Tanzania. Wellllllll . . . he cc'd me a copy of his email to my brother outlining the cost of shipping the washing machine in two methods . . . nestled nicely inside a 20’ container, OR, a 40’ and”, (get ready for this!) “my brother has offered to pay the freight for whichever size container you can fill! (Jenny had shared with her brother that here in Canada, we’ve been collecting all kinds of donations from YOU and that our dream was to afford to ship them over one day. Jenny’s brother has made ONE day, TODAY! I was ecstatic, to say the least and once I’d regained my composure . . . dried my eyes and said my thank yous and goodbyes to Jenny I ran to share the news with my husband Steve who was equally amazed at the generosity of “strangers”, people who don’t know us, but trusted in Jenny’s appraisal of the situation, of our need and our vision! God - +2!

In the ensuing discussion, (and more since, trying to decide what is priority?) Steve paused to remind me how expensive it will be to get our barn of Tumaini goods TO Ohio in order to take advantage of this incredible opportunity . . . wait for it . . . the phone rings WHILE we’re discussing this issue. It’s Jenny (AND GOD) saying, “Cherie, sit down again. My brother just called me and asked, ‘where does this woman live?’ and I told him, Ontario. He said, ‘we purchase raw materials for the company there . . . ask her if a transport can get into her driveway and we’ll stop there and pick up her goods and bring them here to warehouse and then ship them on . . . GOD-+3 . . . tissues two . . .

It has been such an incredible few days around here. Truly shocked at how blessed we are to be the beneficiaries of such kindness and trying so very hard to use this gift most efficiently to benefit our kids has had us VERY busy! We are trying to send a tractor, (we have one to donate), a plough and disc which will be used not only for our own gardens but will become another "business" a funds generator in Tanzania!

I knew I needed to share this story with you but didn’t write it until now, after attending church with David and Sherry, friends of ours and Tumaini’s (sponsors of Jenny in fact). We followed them to their church and met Pastor Marc Bertrand. His sermon took the GOD count up to SIX!

Knowing neither what we do nor that we were coming, Pastor Marc spoke about two things: ministry to ORPHANS and how important this ministry IS (+4) and worry (+5)! Many of you who know me, know how haunted I have been with worry about not being able to sustain the “tumaini” the “hope” we have brought to our children. Worry has brought me insomnia, ulcers and this year shingles and I struggle every day to be satisfied with doing the best I can and “hoping” that it will be enough and our kids will not suffer again.

God laid his hands ALL over Tumaini this past week (he has done so often in the past), and reminded me yet again, that HE is here, in this, with us. Pastor Marc’s words are inscribed into my brain forever and motivation for me to change . . . “when we worry, we declare GOD incompetent”. Noooooooooooooooooo, thank you!

Finally, because I can be a bit “thick headed”, or perhaps to show me HE does have a sense of humor, GOD +6 was driven home to me with a report delivered to the congregation on an outreach program the church supports called H.O.P.E. Helping Other People Eat, (remember folks that Tumaini MEANS “hope” in Swahili).

And, so. Here we sit with an incredible opportunity to get things needed in Tanzania TO Tanzania thanks to the power of GOD working through new friends. We are SO very grateful (I am told that our kind sponsor declines recognition) but we DO give thanks . . . to him and to HIM and to you who continue to make this possible. Our wish list follows:

A 36-42” flat screen television (on movie night we may have as many as 45 people squeezing around our set)
A diesel generator (a supporter donated two gas units but we are working them too hard)
Heavy duty sofa and a couple of easy chairs
End tables
Classroom furniture (especially chalkboard or chalkboard paint)
Solar lighting/panels, etc.

This is without a doubt a lofty wish list. I am wondering if, because this container will leave from Ohio, some of our U.S. supporters might join together to help us acquire this equipment and fill our container. Please, if you can help us help our kids in one of these special ways, please email me at your earliest convenience. Cheriemszucs@gmail.com and to each and every one of you, for loving us, Asante!

Inspired reading to the church groups inspired to reach out to us:
“Radical” by David Platt and “Mile 1” by Paul Carter.

Thanksgiving Wishes from Mama . . .

2011-10-29T14:39:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving Wishes from Mama . . .

October and November are traditional months of harvest and Thanksgiving in North America and I’d like to take a moment to offer my thanks for the continued love and support Tumaini receives the world over . . . to Michael (Gerehad’s sponsor) from Australia for organizing a second Kili climb fundraiser for us (thank you friend Mark for joining him) and McCann clan and friends for supporting him! We look so very forward to meeting you in December!

To Anna and Beth of the U.K., for continuing to love our children and working so hard to raise support funds after returning from your visit with us. Karibu tena!

To Pastor Terry, Terri, Jenny, Pam, and Springboro, Ohio supporters, thank you so very much for having me back to speak and share our story . . . awareness and support continues to grow!

To Debbie and Paul for sponsoring our newest Tumaini child Anthony (his story will follow) and for helping us investigate charitable registration opportunities here in the U.S. of A, Asante Sana!

This past week friends and supporters of Tumaini lost their son suddenly. Busy living his young adult life one moment, he was gone in the next. To his family and friends at this unimaginable time of pain, please know that each of us at Tumaini reaches out to you with heavy hearted, loving prayers for comfort and condolence. We are so very sorry.

This tragedy rocked me. I am reminded of the fragility of life at all ages and was propelled to my draw my children closer, both here and in Tanzania. I called Amanda and Stephen to remind them how loved they are, and I MUST extend my immeasurable gratitude to each of you, who continue to love and support our Tumaini children. I am painfully reminded of how different their realities might have been had all of our paths not crossed . . . because of you, they have lives, filled with health, happiness and “tumaini” (hope) and for that I do not know how to thank you . . .

Our volunteer house is finally ready (right across the street from Tumaini House) and has already welcomed new visitors Bonnie and Caroline and returning Tumaini family, Mathilde and Emily. Margaret and friends will arrive for an extended weekend stay and play with the children and dear Christina will return to us next week! Thank you dada Katy for your tireless work to get things ready!

And speaking of Katy, she had a lonnnnnnngg night this past week, up with Glory and Martha who suffered some sort of stomach virus . . . Glory’s situation is delicate because she is positive and already on her second (and final) tier of ARV’s so we become anxious when she is ill, but a visit to Dr. Lyimo, some meds and Katy’s and family TLC has brought all patients around.

I am departing for Tumaini on November 30^th and invite sponsors wishing to send along a modest gift to their child, (the children LOVE photos and letters) please drop me a line and we’ll make arrangements to connect.

Thank you all . . . Thank you for helping us love these children so much. Thank you for caring and sharing so much of yourselves . . . Thank you for returning to revisit the children you’ve embraced and thank you NEW visitors for joining us at Tumaini. Oddo and I are working hard to expand our volunteer program to include foreign study, medical, spiritual, outreach and greater awareness programs. The need is genuine . . .

Finally, for our friends who are suffering so very much this week please include them in your prayers. Most of us cannot imagine your anguish, but please know that we care and are so very, very sorry for your loss.

HOW ARE WE DOING SO FAR??

2011-09-27T17:25:00.000-07:00

Asante to Cindy Pichette as several of these photos are hers . . .

Asante Sana Springboro, Ohio!!

2011-09-26T17:54:00.000-07:00

September 26^th, back at my desk in Canada

What a productive weekend for Tumaini!! Thursday morning I left for Springboro, Ohio, a visit with my sister and her family and to pick up “some” donations for Tumaini. Pam arranged for me to have breakfast with a few of her girlfriends who had expressed interest in Tumaini and for me to revisit her church, Springboro United Church of Christ (www.springboroucc.org) and update them on Tumaini news since my last visit in late 2010.

L/R - Krista, Teri, Jenny, Elizabeth, Maryanne, Louisa and my sister Pam

First of all thank you SO much, to Louisa and Teri who already support Tumaini, and to new friends Elizabeth, Jenny, Krista and Maryanne thank you also for reaching out to help us, help our wonderful kids! By extension thanks to Scott and Elizabeth for purchasing us soccer balls, for working so hard to get us the cleats before I left and for your wonderful soccer “challenge” idea . . . we’ll make the trophy!!!!

Thank you to Scott and Elizabeth for ALL of the soccer equipment you arranged for us!

Asante Sana to friends of Tumaini including Springboro United Church of Christ!

Secondly, my sincere thanks to Pastor Terry, Trent, Dee, and the entire congregation of Springboro United Church, not only for welcoming me back to provide our progress report, but for including Tumaini so warmly (and generously) into YOUR family. Your generosity not only helped us load my sister’s living room (and my car to the MAX), (Tom and Diane the Lego were in there too thank you!) with donations and gifts for Christmas, we had a balance of funds remaining which will help us send one of our children to school next year! From all of us . . . “Asante Sana”!

Back in Canada (Customs had some questions . . . ) and ready to unload our many gifts! Thank you SO much!!

It never ceases to amaze me how people open their hearts and their wallets to help us help children they have never even met . . . how they put their confidence in us to do with their hard earned dollars what is right. What we should. And please remember, that every part of your dollar goes to helping our Tumaini family. All of it. And remember also please how very far so very little goes when we use it all to help one of our children. Thank you so very much for your confidence and your kind generosity and for those of you considering a visit to Tumaini . . . Karibu . . . sana!!

Finally, to my sister who has put weeks and weeks of work (and had her family endure Tumaini's "chaos") thank you so much! It goes without saying that you, Dada, are a Mama Mzuri sana!!!

Okay guys . . . walk away . . . just walk away from this story!

2011-09-21T11:06:00.000-07:00

Many of you will remember that during my August trip home to Tumaini we had some visitors stay with us who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro . . . you might remember my “lost toenails” stories. In the photo below, note the blonde in the pink tshirt (Lauren who is my daughter Amanda’s best friend) and (John) in the back in red who are the main characters in this story. Girls you are going to LOVE John . . . Guys? Not so much . . .

(R-L) Jamie, Norma, Jason, John and my nephew Sean (he and Norma lost the toenails) departed for a one week climb of Kilimanjaro after meeting up with Norma’s son Rob who flew in at the last minute. Lauren and Kathy (front centre) stayed back and worked with our children. Now, the story of the climb is interesting enough on its’ own . . . five of the six summitted Uhuru Peak at 5895 meters (19,340 feet), the highest point in Africa but this gets even better!

John left Lauren with us for a week while he attempted his climb and on his return put together a slide show of his great adventure. We assembled the children, our staff and the balance of our volunteers who gathered around John’s computer to see his photos. Lauren is in the background taking photos of John sharing his tale.

At one point John explained to all of us that the next slide had a lot of words in it and asked Lauren to come up and read it. Check it out . . .

John dropped to his knees presented a VERY NICE DIAMOND (Lauren can share an hilarious story about John wanting to take separate customs clearing counters at each leg of their journey – to prevent her from seeing the ring he had in his pocket) and Lauren, who self-admittedly, “isn’t emotional” became, well, “emotional”! John had lost it on the way to one knee.

Our children didn’t understand much of what was going on until John and Lauren kissed and hugged at which point they understood the tears were “happy” and not sad. We all burst into applause, some of the guys, Sean and Jason, who are unmarried, jokingly cursed John out, remarking on how he expected them to top this and Rob, who IS married, laughed in what I interpret to be the “appreciation of experience”. Let’s leave it at that! The rest of us were moved beyond words to share such a special moment with the happy couple and Oddo summed it up beautifully when he thanked John for wanting to share his special day with Tumaini and how our invitation to witness their engagement was a special blessing for Tumaini, the children, all of us. Thank you John for sharing and Lauren for accepting! It would have lacked something had you declined!

Sooooooo, guys, have we got a destination engagement location for you or what? The children were so happy to share the day because John had us arrange for music and soda and popcorn and treats and we danced the afternoon away!

Congratulations Lauren and John on your engagement. We’ve got a handle on ring bearers and flower girls if the need arises!!

Reading and Reaching . . .

2011-09-11T17:17:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful experience listening to our children read . . .

Close your eyes for a moment . . .now imagine watching some of the children, some of the YOUNG five and six year old children, whose lives you’ve impacted, the same children who only a year ago could not speak English, read, AND UNDERSTAND, (I asked them to translate to Swahili) an English story book! THAT was my experience on this last, month long trip back to Tumaini House! Additionally, Latifa who only joined us in December chatted away to me, along with Liadi and Harriri in the car after they and Oddo (and Jeremiah) picked me up from the airport! It was/is remarkable! Our children are conversing and reading – in English!

Latifa chatted all the way home . . . in English!

Liadi can write his name!!

Harriri read me an entire "Jane and Paul" story and understood!

Not only does Gerhad read the nightly stories, he LOVES math!!!

AND, they are well! They are happy most of the time (even children in Africa bicker sometimes) and healthy almost all of the time, and learning every single day. They are eating nutritious food and playing after homework and on Friday and Saturday nights we indulge in either a movie or music and dancing! Sounds like any ordinary child right? Right! Because, with your help that’s what the children of Tumaini are becoming . . . ordinary, (our measure) everyday children, and it is absolutely, without a doubt, THE greatest feeling I could imagine to be a part of this!!!

Every time I return to Canada people enquire as to the children, their health, what’s new, what do they need? I have been sharing about the children reading (Harriri, Stephano, Gerhad, Ester and even Christina to an extent) and how (I tear up just writing the words) their most recent accomplishments epitomize everything Tumaini stands for . . . our children are functioning, progressing, in English!

Priska (above) and Connie (below) in their new lipstick from Mama Heidi!

Eliza working on a new book . . .

Christina and Ester in their new dresses from Waterford Catholic Women's League!

Francis is serious about his studies and excels at reading . . . heck he excels at every subject!

It has been two years since I first landed in Usa River, Tanzania. Two years since I met Francis and Zawadi and Pendo (the first Tumaini children I selected, and the first time I cried in Africa), Christina (the second time I cried), Jenny, Athuman and Harriri, Eliza, Emmanuel, Evelin, Margaret and Tony, Latifa, brothers Stephano and Lazaro, Neema, Priska. Two years have passed since I visited Josephat, Marko, Yusuph, Rwekiza and Georgie at that terrible school we took them from. Two years have passed since Oddo and I met, teamed up, and began working . . . today we are forty children strong!

A primary objective for me initially, and for, I think, everyone now involved with Tumaini, is sustainability. As most of you know, the lovely stone house we occupy in Usa River is a rental. Our goal, our dream, is to purchase land and to build Tumaini’s permanent home, with our own school, volunteer quarters, a playground and a football field. Oddo and I have located land near to where we are now, but just east of Usa River. This land fits the bill . . .

We will require a survey to verify the acreage but a current estimate sits at twenty . . . acres . . . for our children to play, and grow, and thrive! It is surrounded by existing farm land so we will not have to breathe the smoke from the burning plastic of others. Water and electricity is accessible (when electricity is running) but with our own land we will be in a position to solicit local (Tanzanian) corporations for funding to help with, among other things, solar power! We will be able to generate a long term (20, 30) year growth projection. Tumaini will own its’ own home!

Oddo is happy to see the children doing so well!

This is the first step and if ever we are going to take that first step towards long term sustainability we are going to need your help. Building costs have increased at a frightening rate this year but to give you a perspective, I priced cost to construct one classroom recently and it came in at just over $7,000.00.

I am not asking for money – yet! I am asking for your ideas on how we might raise upwards of $250,000 CAD. For ideas on financing, for options! We are working hard as a Board to advance the vision of Tumaini and Oddo and I have been working on expanding our volunteer program (you’ll LOVE the new digs!) so that volunteers will still be near to Tumaini House (just across the street) but have a bit more privacy and space of their own to “recharge” more effectively and bring more to the (homework) table when working with the children!

This is a lofty objective and we will not be successful without you so please put on your thinking caps. Please send me an email with your ideas! Let me know who might be a potential lender, someone in a position to possible help us arrange to “mortgage” a purchase (mortgage funding and interest rates in Tanzania are prohibitive). Please consider what you might be able to pledge, either in the form of a donation or a loan to facilitate us taking this next step? Please pause and consider how you, your family, your friends, could help us help our children take another step towards independence, and, as always, thank you! It is so very refreshing not to be reporting crises but routines for our little ones! They learn, they play, THEY READ!!! They are not sick (Liadi and Priska recently had fevers but after a trip to Dr. Lyimo are on the mend), they are developing into happy little children who, for the most part, so very much appreciate what we do to improve their lives. You are a very large part of that and for each of them, who would if they could tell you themselves, Asante sana kwa upendo wako kuendelea . . . thank you very much for your continued love! cheriemszucs@gmail.com. Be well!

MamaDee

Tumaini STUFF!

A Sunny Saturday . . .

Home from the Hospital and Happy Birthday Angela . . .

Reward, Athuman and yet another God Story!!

SHIDA? PROBLEM . . . SHIDA HAPA? PROBLEM HERE? NINGI! MANY!

AND A SHIP SETS SAIL!

Habari kwa Tumaini . . .

A Tumaini Spelling Bee . . .

Just a little more happiness . . .

For Mama Debbie and Baba Paul . . .

Busy, Busy . . .

Back to School and Lost a Tooth!!!

Heri Mwaka Mpya kwa Tumaini!!!!

Twas the day after the day after Christmas . . .

Our very merry Christmas in Bethlehem . . .

December 19th from under the net!

Happy Birthday Harriri!!!

December 11th from under the net . . .

Sorry for not writing sooner, I've been playing with the children!

Preparing for Christmas!

A Message from Mama . . .

A GOD TESTIMONY

Thanksgiving Wishes from Mama . . .

Thanksgiving Wishes from Mama . . .

HOW ARE WE DOING SO FAR??

Asante Sana Springboro, Ohio!!

September 26th, back at my desk in Canada

Okay guys . . . walk away . . . just walk away from this story!

Reading and Reaching . . .

September 26^th, back at my desk in Canada