HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

My Partner Oddo, his youngest son Reuben and myself donning my Christmas gift!

It is New Year’s Eve and I am here with most of our Tumaini family.  Some of our older Lutherans have gone to church to celebrate and Lohai drove.  The service is in Swahili and much too fast for my slow Swahili ears to follow and so I have remained back.

The children had a choice tonight to begin their new year’s celebration with a movie (Merlin) or dancing and they have chosen the movie.  They are enjoying peanut butter “scones” and apples with popcorn on the side and we will wait for the Lutherans to return before we light our fireworks.  I was fortunate to find sparklers at my spice and cashew store (Korosho you remember)?  Our big celebration will be tomorrow.

Our volunteers are across the street “lubricating” but in a much milder fashion than the norm and they will, I am certain, join us for our dancing festivities.  We have already lost Nasma to lala (sleep) and four of our children will miss our celebration for bad choices they have made but the rest of the gang are terribly excited to bring in the new year!

It has been a busy year.  We have struggled with AIDS for Mama Angela and Glory and she is terribly sick again.  She will attend the Dream Clinic in two days to be assessed and to see if there is anything we can do.  Glory’s CD4 dropped precariously and without explanation and both Mary and Neema decided at one time this year that they needn’t take their dawa (medications) and we had to take a “strong” stand in “correcting” their attitudes.  It is pretty simple.  Without proper adherence to their meds they will die . . . and we have told them as much.

We have our enemies and they attempt to hurt us but we have been fortunate enough to discover their intentions and thwart them enroute.  We work to stay together as a family.

Our children grow and change and for the most in good directions.  We continue to struggle with rage and grief and tabia (attitude) with some but there have been some beautiful developments in this past year.  I always worry about "spoiling" our children.  They had nothing when we met them and now have so very much and sometimes struggle with their need for gratitude.  Our volunteers and some of our children went down into the village and handed out dollys to children who have nothing and we will visit another orphanage to remind our children just how much they have.

Our volunteers . . . wow.  Loving, giving, sharing, caring, and yet they must work hard to remember that we are the guests in this country.  It is so very easy to impose ourselves upon the people of Tanzania, child or adult . . . our judgements and prejudices . . . our lack of faith, and these impositions are incredibly dangerous in a country where so many have nothing BUT faith to hold onto.  Each volunteer is a teacher and each child a vacuum . . . seeing and hearing EVERYTHING and this country, this culture hits most first time visitors right in the face. The need, the differences elevate our own emotional issues and force us to look hard inside and assess.  Coming to Tumaini is ALWAYS an emotional journey.

One of our friends was murdered and has left two children without care or support..  We lost a bibi we loved and cared for.

We acquired a new teacher and she is capable and promising, although we must work to iron out some philosophical issues that contradict our policies at Tumaini.

Oddo, my partner is well and happy and working hard to facilitate the many things we count on him for.  His newest son Reuben grows and is walking and just beginning to say a few words.

Our dream of acquiring our own land is just days from reality and that opportunity will open new doors for us, our children, our future.

And finally, to all of you . . . I struggle to find words (I always do) to express our gratitude for the continued love and support we enjoy from each of you.  We are just a tiny, shoestring charity, living from month to month on your contributions and a faith that they will continue.  We struggle every day to care for our family here and to ensure that your dollars are spent wisely and we are grateful.

Until you join us here, until you see firsthand the blatant need, the absolute destitution and squalor so many poor Tanzanian orphans struggle with daily, it is difficult to realize just how important your support is, but please trust me.  Without you, without your heart and your dollars we just couldn’t continue.

I began four years ago on a wing and a prayer and my partner Oddo brought his skills and his heart.  We began caring for 24 children and have grown to more than fifty.  Good food, a safe and healthy environment, quality education and medical care . . . EVERY DAY.  Love, lessons, kindness and empathy.  A fair but firm hand in the lessons of life.  We work hard, very hard, every day, and we do it because there is simply no one else to care for these children who need us so desperately.  We have saved lives and changed lives and we build lives, opportunities where none previously existed and we CAN do that because people like you help us.  We are grateful . . . very, and we ask that you take a moment tonight, on New Year’s Eve, as we welcome 2014, to applaud yourselves for your commitment to us . . . for your hearts and your love.

We cannot continue without you . . . we cannot grow and so we take this moment to send our thanks to each of you.  Asante sana . . . thank you very much and Mwaka Mpya, Happy New Year, from more than fifty children in Africa, and their Mama . . . thank you.

Another Tumaini Christmas . . .

Decorating our Christmas tree at Tumaini

 Each of us enjoyed another beautiful Christmas at Tumaini.  Santa and his helper Rudolph came in the afternoon after a wonderful service at Gloryland International Church.

There were stockings full of goodies and a gift for everyone.

A hug for Santa before Anna got her gift

Mama reindeers Becca and Dee

An early Christmas gift for Mama from Teacher Oddo, Isabel and watoto!

My favorite Christmas surprise this year!

Kaka Oddo wanted to try my new shades!

Rudolph the red nosed Rachel

Our beautiful Tine (heading up Tumaini Belgium) with Harriri and Ema.

Shopping for school shoes . . . 

Rashid has got a heavy load!

Thank you to Huber (Germany) friends for donating our wonderful washing machine!!!

Please keep us and this land in your prayers . . . we should know soon!

Singing Kumbaya for Avondale United Church in Tillsonburg, Canada

And the rain came in (our front door)!

Tumaini children's hands are growing!

Looking for help to assist this family of six children!

Happy Birthday Lohai!!

Jenny and Connie playing "stones".

And a big fat busu (kiss) from Kaka Lohai!!

First Monday in December from Mama . . .

Stefano and Liadi

Nelson

All of our primary students are home . . .   Nelson arrived yesterday from Dar es Salaam for holiday and Raymond left yesterday Dodoma after a quick trip back home for the weekend.

Athuman

 We were able to take our children swimming at “Tanzanite”, a defunct hotel where the “gatekeeper”, upon receipt of a small fee, fills the pool.  It was cold but they had a blast.  The children are asking for bicycles.  Usually on holidays, (April, August and December) we dig those bicycles out so many of you donated to us and now is the time, however . . . we have tuition (extra study) starting this week through Christmas in the mornings and so am unsure of just when the bikes will be “released” . . .

A smiling Daniel!

I hope you will be a bit proud of your child.  Almost all of our children shone through their final exams and most did very well on their year end reports.   Look for them in my next blog.  We took our top children out for burgers and fries to celebrate and followed up with ice cream.  We have some very happy scholars on our hands.

We have had little water since my arrival and yesterday what little would come in the evenings dried up and now we have nothing.  Lohai has had to take large garbage cans in the back of the truck to the river and fill them and things really are becoming “uncomfortable”.  Electricity is not an issue because our solar system kicks in and takes over whenever we need it but not so for the volunteer house and so between a severe water shortage and regular power outages our volunteers are truly earning their stripes.

Pray for us.  We should have some news about our land before Christmas.

And speaking of Christmas, if you haven’t had a chance to sign up for the Panorama of Lights Cider Booth in the park in Simcoe, please contact my husband steve@mybrokersteve.com to help us out.  We need assistance nightly from 5:30 until 9:00 p.m. if possible.

 My office has a big window which looks out and up towards the main house and the small area where our children play . . . they are changing so very fast.  Growing and losing teeth and replacing teeth and becoming the absolute most interesting little people.  Nasma is four and Liadi five and we have a mittful of seven year olds and on and up and each one is growing into their own unique individual and I absolutely LOVE watching their changes.  Liadi was “sticked” by our first grade teacher (yes corporal punishment is still very much practiced in this country) but he came to us as a two year old and so has developed different philosophies about his identity and his right to make choices, even bad ones.  His teacher is a good one, but, and this is a BIG but, we must find an alternative.  We spend our time teaching our children that they matter, are important and have the right of choice.  We teach them to look at us when we speak together and yet we are teaching them exactly the opposite of what most children learn in school.  I believe we are often confusing them and we must find some guidance . . .Still . . . their smiles and their laughter and their hugs. . .

We walked what we hope will be our new land with the village chiefs and executives, (with Oddo).

Kaka Michael and his mini me . . . 

Some of us, myself included are coming down with the flu and so that will run it’s cycle . . . thank you Mama Joan for all of our oil of oregano . . . and Vitamin C.  We are consuming!!!!

I cannot express my gratitude to each of you who has reached out to love us here at Tumaini.  We have our challenges . . . I would be lying if I told you every day here was bliss (poor Rebecca, Tine and Shivaun spent the equivalent of about three days, sizing our children’s feet, going to Tengeru market with Mary to barter for “gently” used shoes for the emergency cases and then returned to collect worn out models and replace running, sandals and school shoes for our brood).  And Mama Becca has spent DAYS AND DAYS AND DAYS sorting, purging and repairing both uniforms and day clothes for us.  (She hasn’t offered to do MY repairs yet . . . ) And Mary spent the afternoon doing inventory in our store room to allow us an accurate count of all we possess in the food department so you see, not every day is bubbles and sunshine with the little ones but I think we have just enough of those days to carry us along through the more tedious endeavors.

Aussie volunteers Rachel and Eliza gifted each child with a new pencil bag filled with goodies for school.  Asante!

Please pray for our longtime volunteer Alison who returned home to the United States only to come down with malaria . . . for the second time.  She has spent the last week in and out of the hospital.

My partner Oddo and family are well.  His baby Reuben has grown and although slow to speak, he motors about at high speed.  The children visited me the other day and Reuben, who found two of my magnets was enthralled with them at the moment they pulled themselves together.  You remember that beautiful baby giggle of marvel?

It is my hope that each and every one of you who have embraced us and loved us over the years will pause as you make your Christmas preparations and receive our thanks.  Receive some of the love back that you have given us.  Our children know how to say thank you even if they don’t always remember.  They are conscious of the sense of gratitude and they are truly grateful for each of you, as is their Mama.  I wish you the very best of the Christmas season and pray that you come into 2014 in good spirits, health and happiness, and speaking of spirits, please remember our New Year’s Party benefiting Tumaini if you would.

We wish you peace and happiness and send our deepest thanks . . . be well!

Home with Watoto Wetu (Our children)

New Jackets were donated . . . thank you!

We have arrived!  Jet lagged and baggy eyed (carried thirteen hockey bags this time) and cleared customs without a shida.  (Problem).  I am struggling with getting on the clock here, something I normally have little trouble with but the kisses and cuddles from the children more than make up for it.

There were some problems waiting for me when I arrived (how could there not be in a family of fifty plus?) and we’re on them . . . working hard at resolutions so that we might proceed with planning a wonderful Christmas together.

Dada Tyra we miss you!!!

Thank you so much to family and friends who sent us (Mary, Reward, Lohai and myself) in such a loving fashion.  Thank you for all the hard work done in preparation for our departure.  And thank you to Tumaini supporters who, I hope, will find the time to come out and serve cider and donuts in our Tumaini Booth at the Christmas Panorama of Lights in Simcoe.  Please send an email to steve@mybrokersteve.com if you are able to assist and Ahsante!

Amani students (l/r) Daniel, Esther, Eliza, Francis, Gerehad, Harriri and Jenny.  Missing are Martha and Kelvin

The final week of school is approaching for our primary students.  They attend classes for three months at a time (the school year begins in January) and have one month holiday so are home in April, August and December and we are gearing up for some Christmas fun.

We store your donations and our food here.  Safi hmm?

Michael (Australia) is here and there are big plans to build a lava spewing volcano (do you remember junior school science?), the world’s largest bubbles (stay tuned for photos) and we are hoping to go swimming again . . . our Danish volunteers leave for home on Friday and we anticipate a pizza party Thursday night before they leave.  Everyone is healthy (thank you Lord), and other than a serious problem with electricity and water, we are well.

Christina is a happy girl!

Sponsors you will receive report cards in the next couple of weeks and I will begin posting updated photos.  Our children are growing and even after only 2 ½ months apart I see enormous growth and changes in their faces . . .

Harriri has a new hat!

And Karol has a new friend!  

I will be in touch.  I thank you so very much for loving each of us and for choosing to support Tumaini with your charitable dollars.  We are healthy and strong and looking forward to a wonderful Christmas.  I received every gift sponsors sent me and our youngsters will look forward to them on Christmas day.

Nasma sends a smile to Korosho!!!!

Toothless Tony is shy to smile . . . 

Tunashukuru Mungu kila siku, kwa bariki yetu . . . We give thanks to God every day for our blessings.  

Please know that each of you is an enormous blessing to us we remember . . . It is our hope that as you prepare for your holiday season you will pause and remember the goodness, the kindness you have shared with us . . . Ahsante sana . . . thank you very much!  Be well! 

And Wema and Ayubu are over the moon happy to be going to secondary school!!!  They passed!!!

. . . and the countdown begins

The days are numbered until our departure . . . just two weeks (November 22) until Mary, Reward, Lohai and I return to Tumaini to, first, help our children prepare for their end of year exams and then, to enjoy a safe and healthy Christmas together with a house FULL of volunteers new and returning!

Sponsors, should you wish to send a card or a (very small) gift to your child please get it to me as soon as possible as packing has egun.  Please start checking your mail for your Christmas gift from your child . . .

 The children are well.  Happy Birthday to our precious Mary!  Liadi has virtually no teeth in his mouth right now. 




Brother Ayubu and sister Wema have PASSED their national exams for class seven and as a result will need sponsorship support to enable us to find them good secondary schools.  We give thanks for their sucess because we

Wema

Ayubu

brought them to Tumaini to further assist them in preparing them as last year EVERY child at their school failed their exams.  These two young teens now have a real chance at a future and without parents to support them, Tumaini is all they have . . . one brother is in prison accused of murder and another is mentally challenged.  An older sister Glory was struggling to parent her three younger siblings but the task, in poverty, was daunting to say the least.  Tumaini has put Glory into a training program teaching her to cook and to wait tables so that she might find employment and youngest sister Carol lives with us at Tumaini house.  We have worked hard to give all four of these parentless children a chance and fundraising dollars have been applied to their care.  Thank you, thank you for that.

Marko!  Some of our older children have struggled in their life choices and two have, unfortunately, needed to leave Tumaini and our support, a result of their repeated decisions to steal . . . from us, from each other, from strangers.  We did all we could to help them make better choices but in the end have had to cut Yusuph and Josephat loose.  It is a heart wrenching decision, for Oddo and I are well aware of what lays ahead for them, but what about MARKO!  Marko who has suffered a life so ugly that at the age of nine he decided he would fare better with a life on the street.  Oddo discovered him and got him into a boarding school and once Tumaini was born he joined us and has excelled!  He earned his way into a fine, technical secondary school near Moshi and after a rocky start (he initially ran away), has knuckled down and studies hard.  For Marko though, the problems at home continue and Alison, a returning volunteer for Tumaini and “big sister” to Marko, and her family are working to raise money so that Tumaini can build a small home for Marko and his mother to share (his uncle facilitated the purchase of a small plot of land) allowing them much needed breathing space and peace, away from the cruelty of other family members.  Please keep Marko, Alison and this project in your prayers.

Raymond

Reward, Mama, Mery

Reward is investigating a master’s degree in Information Technology and Mery will return with me to apply for her masters in education administration and planning and we hope she will run our Tumaini school one day very soon!  Raymond, as I mentioned earlier, has begun his second year at university in Dodoma, studying Administration and, will train to replace me at Tumaini . . . poor Raymond!  Just kidding!  Nelson will finish secondary school in June and has BIG dreams for his post secondary education . . . we will keep you posted!

Volunteer Teacher Ms. Hoey and Class I

Our first and second graders are working with our wonderful volunteers to prepare for examinations.  Our class three and up students study in order to ace THEIR year end examinations and the rest of us will prepare for a very special Christmas celebration for about 80 people and that is just family and December volunteers.  Whew!  We will have visitors from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, (I am certain I am missing a country or two so will update you soon) and with everyone home for the holidays, things will be a tad “CRAZY”, but, for those of us who have experienced it, we wouldn’t have it any other way at Tumaini . . .

Our website is (hopefully) just days from launching. . . our land negotiations continue . . . and our 2013/2014 Giving catologue is going to print.  I should have a report for you in the next couple of weeks and of course it will be available on our website.  Please do keep us in mind for your Christmas giving list . . . everything from $10.00 to “buy a brick” for our building fund, to the payment of school fees for one child, to a child sponsorship is available so let me know how you’d like to help and we’ll mail out a Christmas gift card on your behalf!!

I would be remiss if I didn’t take just one moment to say thank you.  For the continued love and support you show us.  For your sponsorship dollars and fundraising efforts and donations (thank you to Mrs. Lingwood and church friends for their stash of socks and chupis (underwear) for our little ones . . . thank you to sponsors who have stayed with us for up to four years now and to new sponsors this year.  None of what we do could happen without you and your support so thank you, thank you.

12 days and counting . . . I will return to Canada in May as God wishes but first I will carry all of your love and well wishes and gifts and cards and donations with me.  Water has been scarce at Tumaini for more than three weeks now . . . Teacher Winner was just tested for malaria (negative thank God), but the network and electricity are undependable . . . please keep us in your prayers and once more . . . thank you!!

For those "local" supporters, we will host a small open house this Sunday (17th) from 2-5 p.m. at our home 857 Norfolk St. S. Simcoe . . . Mery, Reward, Lohai and Tumaini friends will be here to visit and to say thank you and goodbye . . . if possible please join us and please, PLEASE!  Remember that my husband Steve will be looking for volunteers to sell apple cider and donuts again daily this December.  Should you be interested in helping us out (thank you) please email him at steve@mybrokersteve.com and once more . . . thank you so, so very much for your continued love . . . and be well!