Happy Easter from Mama . . .

Happy Easter from Mama

Katy and I were able to see and speak to the children, “familia Tumaini” in Tanzania today.  It was just before their supper time and just before 11:00 a.m. here.  They are well.  They are happy, and they were VERY happy to see and speak with us.  We asked, during our conversation why today was special and Francis offered that today is the day Jesus died on our behalves.  The children promised to include Jesus’ sacrifice in their prayers today and assured us that we too would be.  I would like to take this opportunity to include a few more . . .

First of all for them . . . the watoto (children) of Tumaini, we would ask that God keep them safe, and healthy and happy and they be allowed to continue to learn all they need to in order to grow up and become the best people they possibly can . .  .  

I give thanks to Father Kagua, our parish priest in Usa River, who was invaluable with his support and direction during a very difficult time.  I ask for guidance for and God’s support of our Tanzanian staff, Oddo, Grace, Lohai, Mamas Anita, Saumu, Ally, Mwajuma, Dada Margy, Teacher Winner, Lawrence and Jeremiah to continue to treat each other with respect and kindness and to love, protect and be examples of goodness to these children we love so much . . . 

I would give thanks to our Board of Directors here in Canada . . . To Cindy, on your departure, we thank you for all your contributions to Tumaini and wish you every happiness and success in your future and pray for you all of God’s blessings . . . To Julie who was with me from the beginning, supporting Tumaini before there WAS a Tumaini  . . . for being my FIRST supporter and Tumaini’s first sponsor, Asante!  To Lisa, for embracing the vision of Tumaini and for loving these children you have yet to meet . . . Thank you!  And to our Tumaini Katy, “Bibi” Pat and incoming treasurer John Davies Asante for bringing your (as Oddo would say) UNIQUE sets of gifts to this board, but, more importantly, for bringing your common hearts . . . I pray for all of us to work together, with patience, humility and understanding to advance the wellbeing of our children in support of the vision of Tumaini . . .

L/R John Davies, Julie Millington, Cherie Szucs, Patricia Barry, Lisa Engelhardt-Robinson, Katy Wilson

An ENORMOUS Asante must go out to you, our sponsors, donors, and volunteer supporters of Tumaini who have embraced these children not only from your hearts but from your pocketbooks.  That support has enabled us to provide a quality life to all of our children.  It has given them safety, sanctuary.  It provides nutritious food daily, which helps their bodies not only grow but heal and staves off disease.  It gives our HIV+ children their FIRST chance at a real life because medicine is only HALF the battle against AIDS.  It allows their brains to grow so they can learn at good schools where they have the chance to excel and advance on through university to real jobs where they will then be in a position to “pay it forward”.  It allows them quality medical care like corrective surgeries, and malaria treatment and belly button repairs, not to mention the day to day infections and flu and injuries our good friend Dr. Lyimo helps us with . . . Your loving support has gifted our children with toys and bicycles which they love SOOOOOO much (and recently helmets which protect their kitwas (heads)), and videos on Friday and Saturday nights and the occasional picnic or swimming party where they are invited to play and share and just be a child . . .

Your support helps employ our staff and gives most of them the first employment they have ever dared dream might help THEM build a future . . . 

L/R - from Mama Dee- Margy, Saumu, Oddo, Teacher Winner, Mama Mwajuma, Anita, Jeremiah and Lawrence, Lohai, Mama Ally and Mama Grace! 

 I pray this Easter that you will always have the means, the empathy and the confidence to share your time, your hearts and your hard earned dollars with us, ensuring that all we dream of for these children continues . . .

And to YOUR families and friends this Easter we wish you peace and happiness and safety in your travels as you come together to share in this holiday . . . and to some who may NOT be with family or friends, come be with us . . . our hearts are big enough . . .

 Since my return to Canada last week, to Melissa and Trevor, thank you for embracing Tumaini.  To Pat for her travelogue presentation in Burlington which garnered even more awareness (and funding) for Tumaini!  To Katy's family and everyone who supported Katy's welcome home party . . . I am not certain the sky is the limit when it comes to what this family contributes to Tumaini . . . and to all who came out to welcome her back . . . Asante!  To the Simcoe Ladies Lions Club thank you for welcoming me to speak at your dinner meeting this past Tuesday and to Luann who is welcoming me back to her family studies class, thank you!  To Nurse Julie at Dr. Don’s office, thank you for helping with my blood work and x-rays so that I might feel better soon.  To a woman who follows us on Facebook, someone I didn’t recognize, who hugged me in the grocery store  simply for doing what I do here, thank you!  This job is not always easy, but it IS always rewarding and you were my reward that day . . . Thank you!  To my family who forgives and forgets and then remembers when I forget, who supports me every day, whether I am here or there and who has embraced our “extended” family on the other side of the world, thank you so much . . . I hope you know how much . . .

And so, Happy Easter!  With such gratitude for and on behalf of the children and staff of Tumaini (PS  Raymond and Lohai will be here in June), to and on behalf of our board who work lovingly to ensure our children have a future . . . and to each of you . . . it is my prayer that God show each of you, in a very special way this weekend, how very much what you do, who you are, matters . . . yes, that is my Easter prayer . . . Asante!

On Leaving . . .

April 10th from Mama . . . 

First of all, happy birthday to Candice' Dad from all of us here at Tumaini!!  A little bird let the cat out of the bag!!

I depart tomorrow after four months  . . . heart wrenching emotions even imagining saying goodbye (I keep telling myself it gets easier but I can’t say I believe it). I will leave Francis with a fever (Jenny’s has past), and Latifa and Liadi with ringworm (a nasty fungus we get here), instructions for the children to be dewormed “tena” again (I met someone today who, hearing how wet it is suggests that perhaps my (and yours Katy) persistent cough may be caused by worms we’ve contracted which, having travelled to our lungs manifests into this.  A doctor’s appointment is first on my list upon my return.

We have report cards for almost all of our children (Oddo promises the rest before I leave) and I will post results once I am home.  Most of our children are doing well, some extraordinarily well and celebrations are in order!  Some struggle still but the changes I’ve witnessed in nearly all of our children over the past 21 months are remarkable/outstanding/inspiring . . .

Many of our children came from “homes” where they were unattended all day, left to fend for themselves, sometimes with other siblings or even no one, and at as young an age as three.  Many of them had no food and waited for Mama or big sister to come home, hopefully with enough money from the day’s labor to purchase supper.  I have visited homes, MANY homes where not a bite of food has been eaten, at times for DAYS, and there is not a crumb in the house.  YOU have helped me help children who might not even be alive today without our assistance . . . little Mary, Rashid and Glory come to mind.  Tumaini’s children have grown to know security, stability and most importantly love.  Coming from families who stole the food we provided (before our children moved here) and then sold it for pumbe (alcohol) many of our children couldn’t conceive of “love”.  They are beginning to look into the future with a sense of self worth and with confidence that they will HAVE a future . . . that food, and safety and health care and a good education and LOVE is theirs now and YOU have helped make that happen . . .

The children’s English progresses at a speed beyond our wildest imaginations!  They often use English now in play, in their sub-conscious, giving instruction or making a request of each other.  They are funny!  They have learned to hug and to cuddle . . . to love.  The children work on sharing and we are working on telling the truth.  Always . . . Unfortunately, this is a country full of corruption, of lies and of liars.  It is a cultural phenomenon . . . perhaps desperateness (or the choice to prey on the desperate) precipitates such ugliness, and so we struggle to teach our children about integrity and morals, about the value of character and they are learning . . . do we humans inherently WANT to be good people, if given direction?  If given a chance?  I hope so.

Grace, Oddo and I have recently asked for counsel with our parish priest in the hopes of working through some problems we’re struggling with.  Father, experienced in the cultural dynamic of this country reminded me (Oddo and Grace are well versed on the realities) that there are many people who, without a second’s thought for the well being of the children will do whatever they can to extract whatever they can from mzungu (me), they will lie, cheat and steal to get what they want.  In the end it is ALWAYS the children who suffer.

We have experienced some WONDERFUL volunteers so far this year and I must say thank you SO very much for your love, your contributions, your support . . . some of you brought a measure of expectation and once here, felt as if you were not contributing enough . . . please, I ask you, try to remember that you came as a teacher and the cultural pace of Africa, including that of our children, is a much slower one than we are used to and that Latifa, or little Aisha, or Zawadi or Priska came as virtual intellectual infants for, how can a mother teach a child to read without knowledge of reading or access to a book?  How can a Bibi (grandmother) teach a child to count when she cannot herself?  (Jenna, Latifa STILL thinks the name for “L” is “for Latifa”!) If one must compromise ones values time and again, simply to stay alive, from where does the initiative come to teach a child values?  It is easier for me to “do the right thing” perhaps, because I don’t have to worry about eating tomorrow.  I have every confidence (and expectation) that my needs will be provided for.  Jenny and her mother didn’t have that confidence when I met them . . . Nelson, Mary and Reward plodded forward determinedly, even living alone when Nelson was just 13 and 14, with absolute BLIND faith that God would help them with their educations which is the only opportunity they have, as poor orphans, to escape poverty.  Nelson, by the way was 5^th in his class in February, in the 16^th BEST secondary school in this country and WE helped him get there!   HIV+ Glory came to us miserable . . . gloomy, dark and often raging . . . she bounces through most of her days now with laughter and that dimple of hers evidences a big smile!

For our outreach Ndelio, crippled by polio and desperately poor, and brain injured gets assistance from us so that he can eat better food and learn to read and write in the hopes of having some sort of a future and Rashid and Neema, from Majengo now get to their monthly clinics, ensuring they receive life saving ARVS.  Do you remember the Chikira family of Glory, Wema, Ayubu and Carol?  Their home is safe, they eat every day, and attend school.  Pretty basic human expectations right?  Then why do they feel they’ve died and gone to heaven?  Food?  EVERY day?  No more beatings for unpaid school fees?

Liadi learned to ride a bike.  Christina learned what number comes “kabla” before another.  Many, many, MANY times, I have seen a child share a bite of food or a toy . . . that is new. 

And the biggest change?  I visited another children’s home recently where every child I came upon asked, looking into my eyes, “and what is YOUR name”?  They have been at it a few more years than we have, been loved and empowered longer, and so possess more confidence, but I see it beginning here . . . fewer lies . . .  heads are not downcast so much . . . there is less “mumbling” and more handshakes and hugs . . . and speaking of hugs . . . I had to stop writing for the troops have risen and dressed for church and brushed their teeth and galloped to my door for our morning kumbatia (hug) . . .

Support continues to grow for these wonderful children and for that and from the bottom of my heart . . . Asante! We have experienced some problems during this oh so very important “growth” stage . . . some people have joined our family and some have departed.  We’ve struggled to adjust to cultural differences, paces, practices and are still developing our long term vision for Tumaini and I assure you we have not been perfect, but I promise you I have done my VERY best as Mama here and so have these children I love so much . . . I’ll see some of you soon and you’ll see some of US badaaye, when you visit us here . . . be well, God bless you and Thank you SO very much for loving us . . .

Happy Birthday Ester and other stuff Tumaini . . .

A very special happy birthday . . . it was my second birthday celebration with Ester who last year this time had a cast on her arm from her second surgery . . .

Kakas kichaa Harriri, Gerehad and Athuman!

Our beloved Katy, volunteer Mathilde, and familia . . .

Mwajuma, Kelvin and Mary off to church . . .

Our beautiful Margaret earned A's this month

Watoto (children) playing with toys donated by our friend Charles

Three guys (Francis, Vita and Paskaly) hanging out with Mama . . .

Tony barely survives tickle torture after stealing my phone!

Tony and Liadi with a donated gari (truck).

April 2nd . . . Baadaye Katy!

Last night brought a mix of emotions for many of us at Tumaini . . . the school term for our children has completed and all of our primary students (and beautiful Mary and Raymond joined us from Makumira) are now home, with progress reports . . .  for a one month break where many celebrate wonderful accomplishments (I’ll post grades soon). . . most have been encouraged to read more English books and practice their math and once again we have some stars.

Dampening the Tumaini family reunion was the departure of Katy who flew out last night to “visit her other family” and we don’t say that lightly.  Katy has missed all of you at home desperately and now struggles with having TWO families half a world apart.  We didn’t say goodbye, simply “baadaye” (later) because we can no longer imagine Tumaini without her.  There remains a void here only she can fill.  Katy is a special volunteer for several reasons . . . first, unlike some other volunteers who are not given the option of selecting their placement, Katy CHOSE us . . . she researched Tumaini, me, what we are doing here and she CHOSE to bring her gifts and her talents to Tumaini House . . . second, Katy is, to date, our longest standing volunteer.  She has dedicated almost six months to loving us here at Tumaini . . . growing, reaching, changing (both herself AND the children).  She came to us a vegetarian yet a few things changed while she was here . . . ie. her being gifted with a “cake” of roasted whole goat, but that is a story for her to share . . . and don’t let her off the hook without explaining “burgers” and “chili”.  Not a vegetarian bone left in her body I fear . . . and don’t even get her started on “BEANS”!

The two most important gifts Katy brings to Tumaini are her heart and her “FIT”.  Katy just “gets” what we’re trying to build here . . . she understands and she works tirelessly, patiently and with loving dedication to support our vision for these children.  Her contributions are invaluable. 

In doing research to prepare for coming to Africa I discovered “The White Man’s Burden” by renowned economist William Easterly.  He talks about the failure of 2.3 trillion dollars in foreign aid getting twelve cent dawa (medicine) to children infected with malaria, or four dollar nets to protect them against it in the first place.  2.3 TRILLION dollars . . . that’s a lot of twelve cent dawa . . .

Easterly contrasts what he calls the “Planners” of the West, and their failed efforts to help the “Rest” (the poor) versus the “Searchers” who simply get things done.  I quote, “Planners announce good intentions but don’t motivate anyone to carry them out; Searchers find things that work.  Planners raise expectations but take no responsibility for meeting them; Searchers accept responsibility for their actions.  Planners determine what to supply; Searchers find out what is in demand (needed); Planners apply global blueprints; Searchers adapt to local conditions.  Planners at the top lack knowledge of the bottom; Searchers find out what the reality is at the bottom.” 

This is a vitally important issue for us here at Tumaini who suffer the people who just don’t understand.  Katy is a “Searcher” as Easterly calls it.  She appreciates that many aspects of African culture are different from our own and she compromises, concedes and tries to coexist within this society.  She accepts that “normal” here is not the same “normal” one looks for at home.  Katy sees the desperate need in this part of the world and she participates  . . . fully.  She has climbed into the trenches here and with empathy and compassion embraced the needs of not only our Tumaini children, but reached out to help the orphans of Mana OVC and assisted in helping a number of families in desperate situations.  

And Katy has put her money where her mouth (and heart) is.  She fundraised before coming to Tumaini and provided a generous donation upon her arrival and she and her sister Jerilyn (thank you so much for your own very special contribution to Tumaini) continue to work to help us help these children with a fundraising welcome home party in her honor.  Our Katy truly is one of Easterly’s  “Searchers”, a “getter-doner” and her relaxed approach comes with her enormous heart which has been a remarkable gift for the children . . .

It is always difficult saying goodbye . . . it doesn’t get easier; I hate to tell you Katy.  What I can share is that the children are “okay” today . . . not ideal because you are not here, but “okay” with the knowledge that you will return just as soon as you can.

I may be biased but I do believe that these children may just be THE most wonderful in all of Africa . . . their openness, their spirit and resilience.  Many of our children came from terrible environments, damaged in ways we do not understand, cannot conceive and I witness, after almost two years, their changes, their hope, that life may not always have to be the struggle it was for them . . . we are blessed and we are grateful . . . for everything we have and all you help us provide . . . and to you Katy, a special Asante to dada kubwa kwa watoto na mama kichaa.  Tunakupenda . . . sana!

Watoto Tumaini . . .

March 26 – Watoto Tumaini . . .

Many of you saw our birthday celebration for Gerehad yesterday . . . thank you to Kaka and Mama Michael for treating us to pizza, cake and ice cream!!!  Ester’s birthday approaches on April 3^rd and Glory’s April 9^th!

Things have been busy . . . we took Harriri to hospital yesterday to have his stitches removed.  A very grouchy matron/nurse “greeted” us, and told us a) we needed Harriri’s file number in order to have anything done and b) we needed the doctor’s authorization for her to remove the stitches.  His receipt with file number was at home, (no one had instructed me on needing it again) and the doctor was on rounds.  We wandered around until we located him and he asked about a video (thank you Tim) I had been watching on my computer while in the hospital of which he had requested a copy . . . we had his copy!  Now, I must say that, as a practice, I refuse to participate in bribery for better service here which runs rampant and we usually simply wait our turn like everyone else, BUT, it was particularly wonderful to receive such speedy service from Doctor Julius who, escorted us to the dressing room and removed Harriri’s stitches himself (the stitches juu (up) were okay but the ones chini (down) hurt him terribly and he cried – pole (sorry) little man)  . . . we received glares from the grouchy one . . . delivered the doctor’s zawadi (gift) and were on our way!  No file number, no subiri (wait)!!

Some of you are asking about Mary.  She, along with our five other HIV+ children and eight Mana OVC children who are positive, Amina, (Glory’s and Angela’s mother) Sada (Oma’s sponsored woman struggling with TB), Oddo and a driver all went to a village called Lolionda to pray and try an herbal cure to their sicknesses.  I understand it has been a troublesome safari with some bad food causing vomiting and diarrhea.  I can only say for certain that Mary, and all our travelers will be happy to get home.  They had anticipated a two day trip . . . it has turned into seven . . .

I have shared with you that Mary and Reward were/are home.  Thank you so very much to Oma and to Christina, Domi and families for providing financial support to these oh so very special young people just beginning university.  First term grades for Mary were straight Bs which she is not satisfied with and Reward earned two As with the balance Bs.  Mary needed to have her eyes tested (she struggles with terrible headaches – as do many people here, with a sensitivity to light) and required new glasses and will head to Dar (a nine hour bus ride) later today or tomorrow a.m. after picking up her new specs!  Reward will leave at the end of the week to begin classes April 4^th.  While home they are helping with Mana OVC tuition and with homework here for our children!

Big sister Mary . . .

Reward is working hard at university . . .

And speaking of family Minja (Mary, Reward and Nelson are older siblings to Kelvin), I must share (with his permission) a wonderful story with you. . . We have had some struggles with Kelvin making the right choice to follow the lead of say, Francis, who studies hard and practices discipline, at home and at school, which he will need in order to succeed. . . . there have been times, (two instances in recent months) where Kelvin has run into a problem and then shirked responsibility for his part in it, became angry and blamed others without taking responsibility himself.  We had an episode at school which came home where Oddo and brother Reward (by phone) and I spoke to him for almost two hours about opportunities given and capitalized upon, or, sadly, thrown away, as has happened with some of our older boys who have attempted to influence Kelvin and other children, and, as a result of THEIR choices, are now at boarding school.  We spoke about choices and how Kelvin has the choice to build a rich, full life, with help from Tumaini and loving sponsor support such as you Laci, Asante.  In any event, after a second episode where Kelvin, having been disciplined by Mama Grace and Katy (removal of bike privileges for the day) for his decision to leap onto a moving vehicle (safety issues and bad examples for smaller children) Kelvin raged at both of them, exclaiming that he didn’t have to listen to them.  The day ended with Raymond and I talking to him in his room, again for almost two hours about choices and about how he was making some bad ones.  The older boys had convinced him that boarding school was wonderful and that they loved it there . . . I asked Kelvin why, then, were they begging us to let them come home?  Raymond straightened out Kelvin on the reality of boarding school in Africa . . . the food, the accommodation, the lack of entertainment, the strictness of rules . . . Kelvin’s eyes were opened.

Kelving making good choices!!!

Well, two days ago the children were riding the bicycles and brothers Vitalis and Paskaly got into it over one not sharing with another.  I give the children one or two chances to work things out themselves now and if they are unable to, then the bicycle is put away and NO one rides.  We are insisting they learn to SHARE!!  Vitalis and Paskaly couldn’t work things out and I told them to put the bike away . . . Vitalis was walking back to the house when he saw Kelvin approaching on another bike . . . in his anger he blocked the walkway for Kelvin.  Kelvin told him to move and Vita said no.  Kelvin said to move or he’d hit him with the bike . . . Vita said, “hit me” and Kelvin did . . . at precisely the moment Mama Grace looked up to see impact . . . she called to Kelvin to put the bike away and I, sensing more to the story, asked them both into my office.

I asked both of the boys to explain what had happened and in the process confirmed that Vita had, in fact, wanted to anger Kelvin into “not having a bike” either.  Typical kid stuff yes?  I explained that, should someone tell me to drive into them after I had asked them to move, I too, might be tempted, that, Vita had exacerbated an already bad situation by instigating trouble with Kelvin but that Kelvin (nor I) would have made the right choice to then drive into him.  The boys shook hands, asked each other for forgiveness (procedure here) and life went on . . . EXCEPT here is the beautiful part . . . the next morning, early, I heard a knock on my door.  Opening it, I found Kelvin who asked to come in and speak to me . . . remember that, from my perspective everything had been settled the day before . . .  not so for him.  Kelvin told me, “Mama I must say sorry for makosa, jana (yesterday) but I don’t know (the word) in English.”  I responded with, “Kelvin you said you were sorry already.” 

“But Mama I must say sorry to you also . . . for makosa.”  I checked my dictionary and Kelvin ran to Robinson for translation . . . do you know what makosa is?  Mistake . . . Kelvin wanted to apologize to me for making a mistake . . . a bad choice yesterday.  I was over the moon and I told him so.  “Kelvin!  This choice you make today is that of a man and not a child!”  I told him how proud of him I was for his decision and that he is headed in the right direction.  He felt a little proud of himself also.  I could tell by the enormous smile on his face.  Kelvin is so very often absolutely wonderful.  He helps with dishes, is usually very kind to the smaller children, took the time to teach Liadi how to ride a bike . . .  my fear, knowing the other older boys and the bad choices they have made and the consequences attached to those choices and the future hardship awaiting a poor, uneducated person in this country, is/was that should Kelvin choose THAT road, and not learn discipline and responsibility, he too could get lost in a world FULL of suffering.  That thought, loving him as I do, for he is VERY lovable, absolutely terrified me . . . and yet, yesterday’s example illustrates that perhaps he is beginning to understand and I need not worry so much for him . . . Asante Mungu!!

And then there is Aisha . . . Aisha is a shining star around here . . . usually, and yet yesterday, being in a bossy mood and telling Jenny and Vitalis they needed to sweep the floor after breakfast, and they, not feeling a need to listen to bossy Aisha, left for church and choir practice . . . AND, left her behind.  She was angry and ran to catch up to them.  They had almost reached the church which is quite a walk, when she caught up and told them I had told them to go home.  She told a lie.  And, here’s how God works in Tumaini House . . . The road from our gate to the garden takes less than one minute by car to travel, and had Jenny and Vitalis not made the corner to our house within that minute I would have missed them, BUT . . . that is not how God works here . . . they DID turn the corner within that one minute window and I DID intercept them and ask them WHY they were home when they were supposed to be at church and they explained that Aisha had told them I had said for them to return . . . Oops!  I told Jenny and Vitalis to get in the car, we dropped them enroute and instructed THEM to instruct AISHA that SHE was to come home immediately for lying . . . she will stay home for next week also so that she might ponder the value of lying . . .

Raymond . . . a young man I love VERY much . . .

And, finally, Raymond came home last night . . . he wrote his midterm exams and, although we are waiting for two yet, here is his performance . . . Geography – 85% and #1 in his class of 186 students; General Study - #1, also of a class of 186, Basic Applied Math – 68% and 7^th of 38 students; and Economics – B and 5^th of 48 students . . . he will let us know about History and Divinity but is headed to graduate from high school Division I which is as good as it gets in this country and will most likely earn a full scholarship to the university of his choice . . .

We are well . . . Haradali students will return home next week for a one month break . . . Mary and Reward head back to Dar . . . our safari goers should return today or tomorrow (I hope) and the rain falls . . . yes, we are well . . .

March 23 from Mama

March 23 – EARLY!

The day began at 3:32 a.m. with Harriri weeping in pain . . . I think he had played too aggressively yesterday and paid for it in the night.  I gave him his pain medication and we focused on zebra and leopard (his favorite) until the pain subsided and he was able to sleep again.  He is still resting.

Volunteers Candice and Lucy went on safari and returned, one (Candice) with about 100 of the worst flea bites I have seen . . . (never mind dog flea, think buffalo or elephant flea).  Boy did she react . . . and poor Lucy has been down since she returned with abdominal pain and the “you know whats”!  Poor girls, all they wanted to do was see some animals!  Lucy has been to the doctor and when I left their room last night Candice was painting herself in calamine, and Ayako too has been experiencing abdominal nasties . . . pole (polay) sorry girls!

Month end exams began yesterday . . . wish us luck because they are followed by report cards and then a one month break! (For the primary students only.  Secondary students remain in class).

We’ve had some wonderful success with our outreach programs . . . The Chikira family is repaired (house), rebuilt (toilet and beds) and replanted (maize).  The youngest children are in school (although a child took a pen and stabbed poor little Carol in the eye and when I saw her a couple of days ago it was still swollen shut!) and we will see results from THEIR academic efforts early next month also!

Pendo, the little girl the Dream HIV/AIDS clinic begged us to help (thank you Dr. Pat for bringing us Dan) their house is repaired, they now have a flood proof (we hope) FLOOR, new beds, new uniforms, a secure door AND window and no problems!  Well, everyone has problems, but they now have considerably FEWER problems than before!  

News beds but an old, flooding floor . . . Dan, your dollars fixed that!

A new and secure window for Pendo, sister Zawadi and Bibi . . .

One very happy and grateful little Pendo!

Before . . . and after new sheeting to keep the wind, the rain, mostquitoes AND thieves out!

And then there is Twalib!  Twalib (HIV+) is a young man (14 or 15) who, despite an agreement with his uncle (his parents have both died of AIDS) to provide him with basic necessities for an HIV+ child (eggs, milk, etc.) and especially after DREAM argued that the care he was receiving was so poor that he had to leave his birth home (a five room brick and stucco structure with a large yard) , where his uncle and HIS family were living rent free (you see where this is going?) and move into a single room with his Bibi (grandmother), Twalib’s uncle allowed his milk bill to fall into arrears until the supplier stopped providing it and milk is a vital foodstuff for an HIV+ child.  We intervened with the family (and village council) and eventually, after much argument, got the uncle to bring the milk account up to date, AND promise to pay a fair monthly rent for living in the house . . . half of which will go to Twalib and half to his sister . . . these are the types of outreach projects we do with Mana OVC and Langa ya Iruva, the orphan and adults living with AIDS support groups we assist and from where many of our children originate.  (The list includes Jenny, Neema, Eliza, Stephano, Lazaro, Aisha, Angela, Glory, Athuman, Harriri, Liadi and siblings, and Mary, Reward, Nelson and Kelvin Minja.)

Can you say RAIN?  WOW!  It rained SO hard last night I thought the drops (more like PELLETS) were going to drill their way through our oh, so very thin gauge corrugated metal roof, BUT, no complaints . . . the locals have feared the desperately needed long rains wouldn’t come and now that they are here (while we’re talking about it can you say MOSQUITOES?) we shouldn’t have the water shortage problems we’ve experienced in the past.

And some of the family has gone down with illness this week . . . Lohai is going on day three with a debilitating headache and some nasty “boils” coming up on his arms and other than a trip to Dr. Lyimo, has not been out of bed.  He tested negative for malaria but for those of you who know him, you KNOW how sick he must be to not be up and at 'em at the first hint of morning . . . Athuman was hot with fever yesterday afternoon but seems better this morning, Gracie has tonsillitis and is on an antibiotic and Stephano, poor Stephano came to my room yesterday morning at 6:30 with tears streaming down his face from a headache and fever . . . he too tested negative for malaria.  I’ve kept him home for another day, despite exams because he still has the fever. 

Katy, although missing her family and friends is struggling with saying goodbye to her new one here at Tumaini . . .

Katy heads home in less than two weeks so we are planning a dinner out for Margaret, Emma, Evalin, Angela, Eliza, Lazaro, Mwajuma (our Haradali boarding students) in order for the children to say goodbye, AND, we’ll be eating your GOAT next weekend!  I cannot specifically identify WHOSE goats we will be savoring, but Katy assures me, when I ask her about eating meat (she came here a vegetarian), “Dee, I am OVER that meat thing!” and so we’ll be slaughtering two delectable creatures and putting them on the grill in her honor!

I hope you all are well.  I spoke with my sister this morning and she informed me that spring has not yet “sprung” as it snowed again last night but that there has been promise of it to come.  Thank you so much for caring about us, these wonderful little people who are growing and learning and playing and, did I say “growing”.  Liadi needs new school shoes, Francis’ uniform is about two inches too short for him and all the bigger boys needed new uniforms this year.  Aisha has decided that she wants to grow her hair long again, Jenny has turned into a very serious little student after a shaky start and Athuman has been happy for the most part of late.  Zawadi got into trouble yesterday for dismantling the indicator cover from a car at school (he’ll be a mad scientist or something when he grows up I am certain) and Latifa has turned into a chatterbox (in English)!  Gerehad’s birthday is fast approaching (sorry no parcels here yet) and we have a MITFULL of them in April . . . once again thank you, and be well!