The donation of eyeglasses have arrived safely to Mwika Tanzania!! Many happy adults and children are now able to see clearly with the aid of the donation of reading glasses!! This was a blessed day for so many who had waited very patiently to receive their own set of glasses. The list that was compiled of those needing glasses was very long. I remember the day so vividly in my mind. So many waited and when they came to the table to receive and there were none left it was at that moment, I knew the need was far greater than I EVER anticipated. Many had hoped and prayed for these glasses. I saw true and honest disappointment in their eyes. I had told everyone that didn't receive a pair that I would find a way to get them what they needed. And through the generosity of a friend Lynn Wenzel, this reality became true for over 100 people in Mwika.
Thank you for keeping Mwika in your thoughts and prayers. Slowly, we are making a wonderful difference for this village.
Until next time ~
Cheers!!
"The Happiest Day for Simeon and Sula"
Children's Book
Simeon and Sula Dolls
Purchase and help those who suffer
Hajiba (middle) widow who made dolls
Supporting the widows in Kenya
Simple Hope East Africa Director Charles Mpanda
Dedication of SHEA Food! Thank you Country Director Charles Mpanda for your help!
Building a bridge of love between our worlds
Hand in hand we help each other!
Matonyak Orphanage
Sharing Love with an orphan
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Kids in the USA learning...
Today I had the pleasure of sharing my trip to Tanzania with a class of 3rd Grade students from Valley View. WHAT FUN!!! I decided to make it a "hands on" learning experience for the kids!! They got to try on all the Khanga wraps the school uniforms, the shoes and the accessories...boys and girls tried it all on. We had some great laughs and it was so wonderful to see everyone give it a try ~ Even the Principle and the 3rd grade teacher tried them on!!
I brought video and photo's for the children to see with their very own eyes what it is like to live in Tanzania. They even got to sample some of the food that I ate. I boiled plantains, cut up fresh mango and banana's and made rice pilau. The kids thought the rice was a bit "spicy" but some actually liked it.
At the end of my presentation, Mrs Meyer had the children say one thing they were "thankful for" and these were there responses: toilet paper, toilets that flush, electricity, computers, game boys, clean water, houses, food, books and clothes.
They were an awesome class and their responsiveness to learning about this third world country was enlightening to me. It continues to amaze me that there are some great hearts in this world and these children showed me that they really do care about others and those especially at Maring'a Juu Primary School.
Asante sana Valley View and Mrs Meyers 3rd grade class ~ it was a real pleasure for me to be with you!!
Until next time ~
Cheers!!
I brought video and photo's for the children to see with their very own eyes what it is like to live in Tanzania. They even got to sample some of the food that I ate. I boiled plantains, cut up fresh mango and banana's and made rice pilau. The kids thought the rice was a bit "spicy" but some actually liked it.
At the end of my presentation, Mrs Meyer had the children say one thing they were "thankful for" and these were there responses: toilet paper, toilets that flush, electricity, computers, game boys, clean water, houses, food, books and clothes.
They were an awesome class and their responsiveness to learning about this third world country was enlightening to me. It continues to amaze me that there are some great hearts in this world and these children showed me that they really do care about others and those especially at Maring'a Juu Primary School.
Asante sana Valley View and Mrs Meyers 3rd grade class ~ it was a real pleasure for me to be with you!!
Until next time ~
Cheers!!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Teachers....
I have received a very nice letter (more than 4 pages) from my friends at Maring'a Juu Primary School in Mwika Tanzania. They continue to struggle with their daily lives in this village. Their struggles are greater than you and I can ever imagine. The teachers have very little income and they must walk great distances on their bare feet to get to their destinations. I saw this with my own eyes when I visited Mwika in February. They are SO grateful for the donations that were recently sent to them. They appreciate the help more than you can imagine. The monetary support and the supplies that were received to help the teachers were greatly appreciated. One of the teachers that became close with me wrote that, even if we weren't able to send things to them, she is so appreciative of the prayers that are given. She believes that prayer is powerful and I have to agree with her, I have witnessed alot with prayer lately.
The letter I received was a kind note signed by all the teachers at Maring'a Juu. They wanted everyone to know just how much they appreciate everyone's kindness.
They said to have friends in the USA is like having an extended family beyond their borders. Most of the teachers at this school have never gotten further than their village limits. They expressed how difficult it was to teach geography when they really have no idea of what things look like beyond their village.
We are so blessed to have access to Television (although with the news that is on the TV some days I wonder if we are really lucky??), DVD's, Radio, Internet, Cell phones, landline phones, libraries, healthcare, convenience stores etc and you can see the list of what we have access too is greater than they will ever experience. For them to teach the students at this school is so limiting. They have one textbook that teaches geography. I looked at it with my own eyes. It teaches about their own country and very little about the world as a whole. I finally understand now, what they were telling me about their needs as teachers. The conditions of these classrooms and school as a whole remain their largest worry. It gets very cold in this village especially in the rainy season. The classrooms have no windows, dirt floors, no ceiling and a sheet metal roof. I know it's hard to imagine for us. I walked through each of the classrooms and nearly sprained my ankle each and every time I walked through. They teach in this environment and hope for better each and everyday they are there.
Please keep my friends at Maring'a Juu (17 teachers) in your hearts and prayers. I know they appreciate this as they told me 4 times in the letter!! In your very fortunate world, thank you for being so considerate of those less fortunate. You are truly making a difference!!
Until next time~
Cheers!
The letter I received was a kind note signed by all the teachers at Maring'a Juu. They wanted everyone to know just how much they appreciate everyone's kindness.
They said to have friends in the USA is like having an extended family beyond their borders. Most of the teachers at this school have never gotten further than their village limits. They expressed how difficult it was to teach geography when they really have no idea of what things look like beyond their village.
We are so blessed to have access to Television (although with the news that is on the TV some days I wonder if we are really lucky??), DVD's, Radio, Internet, Cell phones, landline phones, libraries, healthcare, convenience stores etc and you can see the list of what we have access too is greater than they will ever experience. For them to teach the students at this school is so limiting. They have one textbook that teaches geography. I looked at it with my own eyes. It teaches about their own country and very little about the world as a whole. I finally understand now, what they were telling me about their needs as teachers. The conditions of these classrooms and school as a whole remain their largest worry. It gets very cold in this village especially in the rainy season. The classrooms have no windows, dirt floors, no ceiling and a sheet metal roof. I know it's hard to imagine for us. I walked through each of the classrooms and nearly sprained my ankle each and every time I walked through. They teach in this environment and hope for better each and everyday they are there.
Please keep my friends at Maring'a Juu (17 teachers) in your hearts and prayers. I know they appreciate this as they told me 4 times in the letter!! In your very fortunate world, thank you for being so considerate of those less fortunate. You are truly making a difference!!
Until next time~
Cheers!
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