For Mama Debbie and Baba Paul . . .

For Mama Debbie and Baba Paul,

Antony and his Bibi

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

 

Antony's bedroom . . .

Oddo reported back that Antony’s father became sick and died of HIV in 2005 and his mother in 2008.  Antony was initially sent to live with his Aunt in Dar es Salaam but she too, died in 2010 at which point Antony was returned to his Bibi and the home where we 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 is completely 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 there simply was no money.  Debbie, Paul and family, 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 me in to ask some questions about Tumaini and share some of my experiences with her teen class.   She was moved to help us and after a discussion with her family sent me an email enquiring about sponsorship support for a child.  Oddo had updated me on Antony’s situation by this time and I included him with two other children still requiring assistance and 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 to greet me at Mass – someone must have explained who I was) Antony had been sent to a specialist, assessed and begun treatment.  An infestation of chiggers (the same little darling mite whose eggs I had brought home burrowed in my foot) acquired by having slept with the family goats for security had cleared up and his ears were no longer seeping much.  Hearing that Debbie and Paul had taken on sponsorship support of Antony Oddo proceeded to locate a special school, near Moshi, which teaches both the hearing impaired and hearing and should Antony continue to improve (he told me his hearing is a bit better in his good ear) he will be moved 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 and Glory, Margaret and Martha all encouraged Liadi to rap on my door insisting upon 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 for themselves.  He slept just feet from where his father is buried, and just inches from the family goats.  Although bananas are plentiful and goat`s milk available, little else is accessible by his Bibi who does her best to raise her dead son’s child.  After our visit we brought Antony to Tumaini House for a few days (he’s been staying with a friend of the family in Usa while undergoing treatment) to get to know us a bit better and 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 tickling or tricking one of us . . . Completely overwhelmed by what is here at Tumaini House after leaving his village, Antony was curious and investigated every inch of 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‘s Mom’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 so different from so many of the children I have met that I asked from whom he learnt his gentleness.  His Bibi told me his Aunt, her daughter had taught him, but a neighbor explained that it too, was Bibi . . . he has 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 on giving this little man a future . . . Karibu Tumaini, welcome . . . come and meet him!  Oddo and I will visit his school this month and see how he is settling in and we’ll send you more photos but for Antony and his Bibi thank you so much for loving him . . . be well!

Busy, Busy . . .

Tearful goodbyes to Nurse Cratchet (okay, so it takes me awhile), Becky and Mama Corosho (she can explain) and Meg after a busy and full two weeks volunteering their 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 thank you thank you. . . Karibuni to Stine and Anna from Denmark joining us for three months and Dallas and Luke from Canada!  Luke, sorry about those aching muscles but the kids just don’t see that many men, ask Michael or Mark, and speaking of Mark, sorry I missed your early departure but please know how grateful we are to have had you visit and karibu tena, come back!!!

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

After the whirlwind of Christmas chaos for all of these children, we are just beginning to settle back into our school routines.  Class I, (first grade) began yesterday with twenty students and Teacher Winner who is very capably assisted by volunteers Katy, Mathilde and Robyn!  Stine, (Happy Birthday tomorrow) and Anna are working with little Aisha and Liadi (we practiced our printing together this afternoon), and best of best of best news????  Esther, Gerhad and Jenny were tested and earned admission to Amani Primary School for second grade!!!!  Amani is the 6^th best primary school in the country!!!  School photos to follow as Oddo, just brought them home and we need to purchase uniforms!!!  All three LOVE the school and are ready to return Friday (Tomorrow is a national holiday celebrating the Zanzibar revolution) and “soma sana”, study hard and speaking of studying hard . . . Francis brought me his homework when he got home and we reviewed things together . . . 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 and Evalin, Ema, Lazaro, Vitalis and Paskali (Lohai’s brothers), chose to board!  Oddo and I head to the Moshi wholesale market on Friday to find school shoes . . . no we didn’t leave things until the last minute . . . the best value for school shoes in this country are made by Bata and there are three stores in the city of Arusha, 30 km. away.  We measured our children and headed 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 and we were there, (no, Mathilde was there), shopping . . . no go.  We returned to discover that yes, the shipment had come, but it did not include the five most popular children’s sizes. 

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

I enjoyed 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 baby tooth!!! My collection is growing!!  Zawadi’s other front tooth fell out but he doesn’t remember where!  Colds and sore throats are healing and the family is doing well!  I checked on Dorris, our mama cow who was resting comfortably in her new stall and the roof should be finished over her tomorrow!  Lohai’s squash (he discovered he LOVED it when he was in Canada) is in flower 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

It has been incredibly HOT, but last night and tonight the winds are blowing like mad . . . the dogs still bark and the roosters still crow all night but somehow the kilele (noise) of it is becoming normal . . . we hope the container will arrive by the end of February but keep your fingers crossed . . . Thank you again, and as always for loving us . . . it is only with your continued care that we can thrive as we do!  Asante for that!!!

Back to School and Lost a Tooth!!!

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!!!!

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’re here and we’d like to wish each of you the happiest and healthiest of 2012!  We’re a tad dirtier for the most part 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 volunteer house and Francis, Gerhad and Harriri have come down with the same bug, giving them a deep, deep cough.  Raymond too, studying at Makumira for his national exam is fighting the flu.  It is hot and difficult bathing so many children from buckets but our landlord has promised to install a water tank soon, so that we might reserve water when it runs, for times (oh so many lately) 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 last week was no exception . . . I try to take a rotation of children with me when I 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 school supplies.  Enroute, Glory, who has adopted the title, “Mama Dee Mdogo”, (little Mama Dee) poor thing, sang quietly all the way to town, some 30km. asking questions here and there which prompted me to ask her when she had last gone to town?  “Never”, was her response. “Never”, I asked?  “Never”.  She answered.   Not once has Glory gone to town to look at dresses, or shoes, or toys, or gone out for a meal . . . we did all of that together!  Like most of our girls, Glory wants a “western” outfit . . . knee length skirt, bolero or shrug style jacket and simple tee underneath.  The problem quality.  The clothing here is incredibly poorly made and of the lowest quality.  The girls would be so much farther ahead to purchase a kitangi (large piece of beautifully colored fabric) and have us make them an outfit, but, like all little girls, they want what they think is the “rage”, quality be gone!!!!  We’re working on it!!!!

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

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

We had some terribly sad news for Eva, Margaret and Tony who had to go home to give condolences to the family . . . their 24 year old Aunt died of a cocaine and pombe, (a local homebrew) overdose.  Hard drugs are everywhere I guess, and are particularly tragic here where there is no social assistance for addiction.  I was saddened further to discover she left a nine 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 all Christmas photos . . . you will remember that he elbowed poor Beth in the face (one of our volunteers working with Athumani), almost breaking her nose after becoming jealous over sharing her with others and falling into a rage?  After that incident we called a family meeting to discuss how we would deal with his outbursts . . . Athumani, and all primary students are off for the month of December and the family feared another issue so took him for “prayer” . . . traditional practices used to “cure” a child of “evil” spirits,  etc.   Our psychiatrist, Dr. Pat, diagnosed Athuman with PTSD and came prepared to work with him for the month, but he was whisked away . . . calls went unanswered until we finally announced that we had no other option but to go the police unless Athuman was returned.  We visit families all the time where a child is dropped into the lap of a bibi who is unable to provide proper care, or worse and we were afraid for Athuman . . . Several meetings later Baba Athuman came 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 Athuman might become more violent than he did with Beth, they decided to “cure” him.  You will be surprised to hear that the “traditional” methods were unsuccessful . . . Dr. Pat and I were terribly frustrated because, in their fear and ignorance they prohibited Athuman from obtaining some much needed counselling!  After our meeting today, Baba assured us that he will call his parents and 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 for spending the afternoon piercing the girls’ ears earlier this week and thank you Mama Julie for providing us such a safe and efficient piece of equipment for doing so!  They are over the moon and not even 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 our container delayed just long enough for it to miss the boat . . . literally.  It is in Brampton, Ontario or Montreal, QC and will leave on January 18^th . . . it is STOCK full of goodies for us and we can’t wait for it to arrive!!!  Asante Sana again Baba “C” for loving us and to all of our friends in Ohio and Ontario who helped so very much to make this happen!  We should expect it the end of February!!!!

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

So!  Yesterday I am sitting 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 MUCH younger brother, GERHAD . . . OUR Gerhad!!!  The boys are his brothers, John 15, Ano, 12, and Alex, 10, who were as kind and polite as our own little man, WHO by the way, was not so interested in spending time with them . . . we’ve seen this before and suspect it is a fear the child conjures about being returned to the life he came from.  Many times, for example, when the children go home to greet their families, Harriri, stays behind.  We give them the choice to stay or go for a visit (most of them) and Harriri declines . . . I think the loss of his mother is still too raw for him to be comfortable with his extended family in the familial home he lived in at her death . . .

School starts tomorrow!!!!  Shoes and uniforms and several hundred pounds of exercise books have been purchased . . . YOU have supplied us so wonderfully with pens and pencils and crayons and markers and math sets and rulers and erasers and special thanks to the classes of St. Michael’s University School and Glen Lyon Norfolk School in B.C. and to Mama, Dada Jordan and Kaka Christopher for oh so generously 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 . . .

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 and supporters of our precious children.  This is truly I believe, the spirit God intended for all of us when he told us to care . . . they thoroughly enjoyed Christmas #2 at Tumaini House!  Gifts, both given AND received by our children who decorated teeshirts as a gift for another child.  Oddo and I each received one, signed by all of the children!  Thank you Katy for that!!! 

Some of the children made personal gifts for family and each child who visited (if they had someone to) on Christmas day took a kilo of sugar as a special gift!  Our children are 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 people are inherent givers, sharing from the moment they arrived at Tumaini House.  The act of giving allows them a sense of fulfillment and it makes them happy!  We see it every day in the cards they create for us and the letters and notes (In ENGLISH!!!) we receive!

Tumaini purchased a chicken and 1 kg. of rice for each family member of Mana OVC, our orphan outreach group of sixty and also for our AIDS support group Langa ya Iruva.  No one in our Tumaini circle went hungry this Christmas . . . thank you so much for that!

Latifa says thank you Jenna!

And we were busy!  Christmas for a family this size is a ton of work so sincere thanks go out 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, Mama Lizbeth who not only brought gifts but prewrapped them and not only gifts but face paint and nail polish and some of the best chocolate I have ever tasted (Norwegian!)  And to Robyn who would not be outdone and gifted us with Timtams, an Australian staple, Koala bears and chocolate bears for the children!!! 



L/R Jon, Mama Lizbeth and Matz from Norway

To Jon for whipping up a workshop for Lohai and heading up the painting of our classroom, and Matz for spackling cement, sous chefing for Baker Rachel and for loving our children!  Matz joined us despite having been mugged just the week before he came and has travelled to Tanzania with a broken jaw and an immersion blender!  It has been an interesting eating experience for him.   We baked (gingerbread no less thank you Rachel) and Nana’s Christmas Fudge Pudding (Mama Rebecca, Michael and Rachel), and how do we thank all the McCann clan both here and at home in Australia for not simply embracing Tumaini but working tirelessly on an extremely successful fundraising drive spearheaded by Michael who left two days ago to summit Mount Kilimanjaro with us as his beneficiaries!  Asante sana to all of Michael’s supporters, to Mama Michael for organizing and supporting and to everyone back home who has so generously contributed 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 from Canada who took time from their holiday to visit Tumaini and organize the installation of our solar power system which will supplement our electricity which is, as so many people who have visited can attest to, intermittent at best, and for helping us fundraise to pay for it, how do we thank you?  Dave and Jackie’s solar business, Home Energy Solutions of Victoria, British Columbia and Barrie, Ontario discovered Tumaini just over a month ago and by accident.  We began talking about our need here for solar supplementation and, as it turns out, the family was coming to Tanzania on holiday over Christmas.  Being the remarkable people they are, the Egles, (all of them including Jordan who has committed to fundraising to help pay for the project and additionally, Christopher whose classes helped collect and assemble more than 100 pencil cases stuffed with all kinds of goodies for school) decided they had to help us help our children and Dave had his staff race around assembling the components we needed in order to allow them to be included in our container which ships this week!  Enormous Asantes to all of you for loving us!!!

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 Tumaini and she will be missed.  She not only orchestrated 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 and karibu tena Bibi, welcome again!!!

Thanks also must be extended to Robyn, Rachel and Rebecca for paying not only for a Tumaini swim and picnic day but also for our sixty Mana OVC children!  The children LOVE swimming/paddling/playing and although I was home with a sick Glory who consumed either bad food or water while she was visiting her mother (who, by the way is doing remarkably well of late!) and spent the night and most of the next day vomiting up everything that passed her lips, the rest of Tumaini’s family had an absolutely 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 but almost THREE!  We’re rebuilding our stable and will receive “Hold’em” once her new home is ready.  “Dorris” (see the photo) arrived just before Christmas.  Thank you again to the Fortsen grandchildren and to our other anonymous benefactors.  BOTH cows are pregnant and our little herd will grow again within the next couple of months.  We wait for our veterinarian to instruct us on how best to deal with sick Mama Ranger, but Tumaini may have some serious beef 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 worked so hard to help us help our children, Asante!  In the U.S. for shipping your many donations, for working so incredibly hard and for your oh so generous donation OF the container and the shipping, thank you, thank you!  In Canada, for working so incredibly hard to get things together and on their way, and for staffing our little Panorama Park Cider and Donut booth, (thank you Cider Keg and The Apple Place) for expanding Tumaini awareness and raising much needed funds, thank you!  As I close, my husband continues to text me, teasing that the porch is filling with much needed towels for 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 got almost all of our fungal issues under control.  Evalin started antibiotics today for an ear infection and Raymond has come down with a sore throat and a thick chest.  Gerhad, Jenny and Martha still have ugly coughs and Mama Michael patched up what was left of the end of Zawadi’s big toe after he stubbed it and tore the skin off the end, but for the most part we are well and more than sated from holiday treats!  Dinner included chicken and goat, mashed potatoes (WITH GRAVY), a sweet banana dish which I love, 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 last three days. We wake to no water but it seems to return in the afternoons of late and the electricity has been “respectful” of the holiday season!  Oddo and I go to town tomorrow to purchase back 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 are so, SO very grateful to call you such!!!  Be well!!

Reward came home for Christmas!!!