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