[7-11-06]

A bunch of us just got back from spending some time with the kids at Hananasif. The trip went great. I was able to record eight songs for the CD project and am now in the process of mixing everything. The girls - Sydney, Melissa, Sarah, and Erin - all helped in their own ways, teaching the kids English and photography, helping with the recording process, helping to assess and give advice about the "shamba" (land) project that Hezekia has started on, and more.

The construction team is still planning on helping with the construction of a school on the new land sometime later this year.

Melissa just put together a great (July) newsletter detailing our recent trip and more general information about Hananasif's organization and vision.

[2/5/06]

After a generous gift of $5,000 by a private donor from the U.S., HOCET was just able to purchase over 100 acres of land for the center and the school! In connection with this, some immediate financial needs are:
- $1,800 for a water pump
- $1,500 for a motorcycle for transport from the city to the land to begin planting crops
- any financial gifts toward the purchase of seeds, tools, and other necessities for the cultivation of the land

A construction team based out of Florida has just expressed interest in offering their time and resources to travel to Dar-es-Salaam and build the entire facility (housing units, school, etc.) as soon as the funds are raised for the project!

Producer David Lipps of Orlando, Florida will be joining Melissa Reyes and Sydney Schaef of Justice Road Productions on a trip to Dar-es-Salaam this coming May to record the Hananasif choir and their original songs. CD's should be available in the fall of 2006 for purchase. All proceeds go directly to the orphanage center.