Thursday, July 17, 2008

July, a time for changes.

As we near the end of July here in Tanzania, we'd like to share a number of changes and additions we have made to the ministry.

This month we have welcomed a new School Manager, Jacob Aswile Mwaipaja, at Hanasif Academy. (fondly known as Shamba) Mr. Mwaipaja, who graduated this year from the University of Dar es Salaam, has taken quickly to managing the day to day activities and volunteer coordination. He has introduced many additions to the school government, a new environmental cleanliness program, and infrastructure to help volunteers.

The new guest house is at 99% completion. A bit more paint and a walkway and it will be the most stunning building on the site. The volunteers of the Hope Runs program are comfortably settled in with their running program going strong. The girls at Shamba especially have taken to the program while learning distance running, relay races, and stretching techniques. See Hope Runs at www.hoperuns.org

This month we have welcomed a group of 12 volunteers from Atlantic College in Wales and Hong Kong. They have been working extremely hard at Shamba and already they have painted three buildings and both classrooms, laid the cement floors in the new teachers' house, and started the construction of walkways. In addition, they have been busily teaching as many classes, games, and arts to the students as they have the energy to do. Their enthusiasm is reflected in that of the students.

We are growing! While looking forward to installing the irrigation system, the okra and cucumber we planted at the beginning of July has started to healthily sprout. The shamba program, which is about to take off, is very important to the school. In addition to bolstering the students' nutrition, it teaches practical skills such as water management, vegetable farming, and entrepreneurship. A picture can be seen below.

Tomorrow Hezekia, five volunteers, two Hananasif teachers, a choir teacher, and five members of the Watoto wa Mungu choir will be traveling to Mbeya on the far West side of Tanzania to give a fundraising concert at Isange Lutheran Church. The students are especially excited to go visit their homes in Mbeya, which is nearly 800km from Dar es Salaam.

As promised, I will share some photos that I have taken this month of the ministry:

A student crossing the river on the way to Shamba.

Afternoon rainbow at Shamba after a rainy day.

Soccer match between Form I and Form II at Shamba. Form I won!

Healthy Cucumber sprouts at Shamba.

Koko Beach in Dar es Salaam, a 45 minute walk from the Center.

Love from Tanzania,

Scott

Monday, June 23, 2008

Hello from Dar es Salaam!

We have moved into the new city compound and the internet is up and running strong. The new center is the hub for all administrative activities in the HOCET ministry, as well as the residence of the Mwalugaja family. Headmaster Dennis and I, a volunteer from Gainesville, FL, are busily typing the terminal exams for the students at Hananasif Academy School. (the Shamba site)

The Shamba center has been undergoing some big changes in the past two months. The guest house is built and is nearing completion every day. The teachers' cottages, the frame of which have been built, is next on the agenda. We have succeeded to use the electric well pump with our generator so the students no longer drink or bathe with water from the river. This has cleared up a host of gastrointestinal issues.

We have welcomed two new teachers, Daniel and Benno, from the University. They have been busy teaching English, Civics, and History to the students. The new drama/batik teacher, Hilda Juma, has been making the journey out to shamba every weekend to teach the students. Last week, the drama class performed for the Watoto wa Afrika (Children of Africa) celebration in nearby village Shungumbweni. They were well received and had a flawless performance.

We have welcomed the Hope Runs (www.hoperuns.org) organization at the Shamba center as well. They brought over 100 pairs of high-quality running shoes and three volunteers, Molly, Alyisha, and Jenny. The students run every day and are learning much about stretching, exercise, and personal health through the program. They are now organizing and training the students for a 10K Race to the Ocean at the end of July.

Last week, we hosted 11 volunteers from the Grace Methodist Church in Gainesville, FL. While at Shamba they provided 200kgs of rice and 100kgs of beans, planted shade trees, installed ceiling boards, and spent every moment learning and teaching with the students. We thank them very much for their support.

Here some pictures I have taken in the last few weeks:

Hananasif Academy School group picture. Students, teachers, and staff.

Students at Shamba participating in batik making, a local tradition similar to tie-dye.

Mbeck, 14, a student of Hananasif Academy School, Form I.

Students worshipping in the morning at the Shamba center.

"Doctor" Issack using a digital camera during the Photography Class at Hananasif Acdemy School.

God Bless.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Because volunteer efforts for HOCET are a cooperative enterprise, it is difficult to know who is volunteering and for what at any given point in time. If you are involved with HOCET we would love it if you posted notes describing what you are doing and how volunteering is going. Please contact us to get access.

Check out the Orphanage's new CD, Twakushukuru, in the MEDIA page.

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