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Memories of Trip Oct-Nov 2011 Pt 1

We have been home 3 days now and are feeling the "sunshine withdrawals" of returning to Washington. I'm not saying that is isn't good to be home, but we experienced so many wonderful things while in Tanzania that I'll blog bits and pieces and also post pictures to share a little of our trip over the next few weeks.

As followers of the blog know, we dedicated the well at Ngateu on the first Sunday we were in Tanzania. The wonderful thing is that now the school has fresh, clean, cool water. Many of us drank from the well all three weeks we were there with no ill effects, a luxury that wasn't afforded us on prior visits.

Although the picture attached shows Larry filling his water bottle, we were so excited to see the students getting drinks between classes. All Safi members and friends need to extend a big THANK YOU for the gift of clean, healthy water that "our students" now share daily. The fact is, the whole community around Ngateu Secondary School are able to benefit from this gift. Thanks to all involved in the Safi/Ngateu well water project!

continued

we are all having great difficulty with the keyboard on this computer, so some was published and now there's a little more.

students are doing well - Christine is teaching with Mr. Freddy and reports amazing progress in the Form 2 class. teachers are happy and working hard.
Form 4 graduated, but several have returned with letters for their sponsors. English has improved with students and teachers.

softball game was a riot, as Marilyn reported. Rosie ( some of you know) got hit in the head with a well hit ball - gave her a wet cloth to keep the swelling down and she was fine the next day. sometimes we had we had 5 baserunners chasing each other around. they loved it.

volunteer house is wonderful!

Form 4 room is painted - David has to finish the mural. painters were not happy with the fumes from the paint - but it looks better.

all for now - many more stories, but the keyboard is driving me nuts. Love, Mary

birthday celebration and other favorite things

coffee at the bungalow at 6 a.m., dikdiks across the path, elephants everywhere, including a weeks old baby, happy birthday banner and balloons by Annette Simonson delicious breakfast with good friends and now a pool dip - it's a pretty good birthday so far.

relaxing is good after working hard at school - painting, cataloging books, teaching, reading groups, meetings, talking with kids and walking "home" in the HOT sun each day. And that's all been wonderful, with the possible exception of walking in the hot sun.

party with teachers, staff and us at Freedom Lodge after school Monday. big hit with all - smiles all around

Vivian, Goodliving, Innocent and new baby brother, Johnson - guard, Robert and Remanista's children -looking for Karen, but delighted with Marilyn and Jenny and elaine. ( gifts were very much appreciated,Karen)

Tarangire

The group traveled to Tarangire today. It is very beautiful.

We watched a group of elephants , no more than 50 feet away, as we ate lunch . We were able to go out on a afternoon safari , we saw many more elephants, dik diks and a pride of lions.

I want to say Hi to all my friends and co workers back in the states.

I am Having the time of my life.

Bye for now Jolene Barabe

from MarilynTanzanian

Tanzanian softball game was a riot.

We went across the street to the primary school and divided up into two teams. Ken led one and I the other.

There were 55 kids Some kids we are sure batted3-4 times before we discovered they had been up before.

After the game with the form 1 kids, we decided to let the primary kids bat (probably about 250 little kids) talk about trying to keep an order. A few of the teachers also pitched and batted. so much fun.

We also went to a place called Lake Natron and went on a 3 hour hike up to a waterfall. We had a local Maasae guide that warned me my tennis shoes were not adequate and I couldn't wear them. The next morning when I showed up in my tennis shoes he lectured me again and said I was going to get wet. Well, he was not kidding...We hiked up rocks like billy goats then down into the water, sometimes waist deep, then up the rocks, down the rocks, over goat, donkey and monkey poop, then washed it off by traipsing through the water for a bit.

It was hard work, hot sun and great fun. Everyone worked up a sweat, put our fears of height on hold, grabbed onto small ledges, hung onto the guides (there were 2) and all agreed it was worth it. Some went into the water fall and swam around with the guide, then had a water massage, and then down the rock slide and landed back on shore (should I say rocky ledge) with the rest of us. This along with the softball game has been the highlight of my trip. Although tonight we hosted the teachers and staff from Ngateu school at our lodge. We enjoyed getting to know each other on a social level. We truly enjoyed some of the staff that came in their Maasae dress. Most walked here and then walked home in the dark.... probably miles or so. This is what this trip is all about...getting to know our brothers and sisters half way around the world. So blessed.

Both Ken and I are missing families and our football teams...but after hearing the scores lately, we are kind of glad we weren't there to be so upset.

Time is going fast. Ken has been painting a class room with a couple of others and then David is going to paint a mural on one long wall. We don't know yet what it is going to be. hopefullly the blog will have pictures.
Marilyn and Ken Ahlf (forgive errors we are lucky to get to even blog....let alone correct spelling!!!)

So many adventures

Our first safari and each day a different experience - walking on the mud flats at Lake Natron at dusk and watching the flamingos take flight, then spending the night in a comfortable tent at Moivoru Tented Camp with donkeys grazing in front of our tents, and monkeys playing in the trees. Then next morning taking a 'little hike' to the Lake Natron waterfalls with guides Bura and Roco - the most strenuous and challenging exercise I have ever taken in my life! A quick and very necessary shower for some of us, and lunch, and we were off on a long and bumpy drive. Along the way one of the land rovers lost a bolt securing a running board. Drivers Kisana and Daudi announced that we could stop for repairs on the way to our next overnight stop - and we did - welding on the side of the street in Karatu.
The gate at Ngorgoro Crater closes at 6:30p.m. We arrived at 6:33 p.m after calling ahead, 'not bad' said Kisana, as we drove through headed for The Rhino Lodge, a comfortable, stopping place with good food and wood stoves in each room. The next morning John Stamm counted more than 150 cape buffalos thundering by the verandah at breakfast. Then it was down into the crater for more amazing experiences. So many male lions, including one who had decided to take a nap in the middle of the road in the shade of the safari vehicles. What an amazing thing - so close to a lion that we could count the fleas on his back! We saw a mother hippo with her baby out of the water, and we watched a male ostrich perform his spectacular (and successful) mating dance.
We headed out of the crater on a road none of us had driven on before and made our way to Lake Eyasi. The road down towards the lake was unpaved and a switch back, but the views were spectacular - more baobab trees together than we had seen before, many in leaf. Another tented camp was the stopping place for our third night - huge tents and very comfortable beds. The next morning we were up early to meet our guide and drive to the Hudatze village to learn about their lifestyle, try our hand at making fire by rubbing sticks, and follow the men as they hunted for birds and animals with bows and poisoned arrows. Later we had the opportunity to visit the blacksmith from a different tribe in another village who made the metal arrowheads for the Hudatze, using the most primitive equipment, and to buy beautiful bracelets, before driving back to Freedom Lodge and a meal of pizza, ordered in Arusha and delivered by the the taxi we hired for that purpose!

Arusha Times reports Ngateu Well Dedication

Bishop Thomas Laizer of the Evangelical Lutheran Church Northern Central Diocese in a group picture with members of the Arusha Rotary Club and Pastor David Nelson and his wife Mary after commissioning a US$ 25,000 borehole at Ngateu Secondary School on October 23. The project was made possible courtesy of Safi School Project, International Rotary, and Lacey Rotary WA, USA (Photo by Raymond John)

Basking in the warmth of the Tanzania sun

and the warmth and the hospitality of the Tanzania people. The warmth and greetings we receive each time we return, from Yolanda and Jennifer and Suzanne and Geoffrey and Norah. The gentle reminders from the teachers at Ngateu, when we go in - ready for action , to greet each other first. Amazing hospitality from our friends Farida and Saif, at cooking lessons and dinner complete with Grandfather and grandmother and son. Cricket instruction, [ the team is having problems blogging due to internet connectivity and lack of electricity stay tuned]

Arusha factoid

Do you know there is 2.5 million people in Arusha, and only 2 street light, it was very exciting driving in downtown yesterday, there a so many motorcycles now

Classroom - needs desks

The day of rest that wasn't.

Sunday we rose early and walked from Freedom Lodge up the hill to the school, and to the church next to the school. We were to attend worship with in the church whose diocese owns the school. After church we were to attend a dedication of the new clean water well.

There is a small church next to the school and a larger worship space under construction. The local Bishop was to lead the worship service, so they decide we would use the “under construction” space for worship. A large white, satin backdrop was hung in front of the alter wall. Benches and resin chairs were brought in from the church and a PA system was assembled. The service was ready to start. Now, realize that this worship space is open to the sky as the walls are done but the roof has not been installed yet.

The Bishop welcomed all the worshipers and announced that the Safi Volunteers were visiting and that there would be a well dedication after the service. The service itself included a baptism, confirmation ceremony, lots of singing and a sermon/homily from the bishop. The travelers enjoyed the service even the one who got a sunburn because he just couldn’t bring himself to put on a hat in church, even a church without a roof. (OK, he is me.)

The clean water well dedication took place right after the Mass and was attended by the Safi Volunteers, staff at the school, school board members, Arusha Rotary Club members and of course the students,. After the dedication, all had the chance to draw clean water for our water bottles.

The Students that were at the school for the dedication were happy to meet new travelers and get reacquainted with the Safi volunteers that they met before.

we're here, part 2

Saturday, 22 Oct.

I do not see my posted blog so I'll try again. ( Admittedly, technology is not me, but I do have expert help. )
Safe arrival , 45 minutes in and out of the airport - a new record!
Time to have snacks and refreshments at the lodge. met by Geoffrey ( formerly Karim), Yolanda, Nora, Elizabeth ( cook - hurray! ) ,Mika, Jennifer and Susan - all giving us hugs and cheers. It feels good to arrive here.
Good sleep had by all and we're all delightfully pleasant this morning. Jacaranda trees are out, rain has come so it's green here, Meru is "out", roads are not dusty. However, the Sekina road to the lodge has not improved. We appreciate our drivers! Relaxing day today, late breakfast, unpack, into town for ATM and shillings ( 1690 per $), lunch at Selma's - yes, Nancy, there was pumpkin soup), Shoprite - 400Tsh for a loaf of fresh bread, (that's about $.25) Now, we're going to unpack the "Larry bags" - eat and sleep early.
Tomorrow is church and well dedication - we'll report.
we're happy, healthy and excited for the next days.
Salama, Mary

Thanks for the water!

AT 11am. TODAY WATER HAS COME OUT!!!

THANKS TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED IN CASH AND PRAYERS.

GLORY TO GOD.

SETH LAISER, Headmaster, Ngateu Secondary School

First Water!

Dear Safi, I have just picked up this report at Ngateu from Mr.Mkasa of the GemRock Drilling Company. Ngateu Secondary School Drilling Project Report

1. First water found at 62 meters
2. As of today, 25 February, 2011 drilling has reached 81 meters
3. We expect more water stikes as we drill more deeply according to survey report
4. We shall send some photos showing the water we have in the hole even though it is not enough at this point
5. We are proceeding with drilling down to 110 meters as recommended in the survey report

Mr. Mkasa, 25 February, 2011

Elizabeth and I will also take pictures as the drilling proceeds !
Regards, David ( Mtui)

Crispin's Orphan Project

We've visited this project before and are greatly in awe. Crispin started in 2007 with 10 orphan kids. 70+ are now at the center (140 kids total use services at the center) 12 live there because they have no extended family to help raise them at this time. Crispin and 4 staff run the project. The model he follows is to help with day care and school and needs that the extended family can't supply. At night most of the kids go to grandmothers and other family/community homes. There the children get love and nurturing. It takes a village to raise them. Some are HIV positive. Many were found in dumpsters or wandering the streets.

Crispin knows what it is like as he was an orphan at 7 with a 4 y.o. sister. He started this project so others wouldn’t suffer as he did. Crispin was lucky to have a grandmother take them under her wing and encourage him to pursue education. (Grandmother is term used to describe an older person, not necessarily your parent’s mother). He is doing the same with all the kids in the orphan project.

The St Mark Endowment fund sent a financial gift with us that will help to buy food and pay for medical needs for this growing population. We delivered knitted hats and small toys to the kids. Next time we will need more hats! Earla, Benjamin and Lisha helped to serve lunch; a gruel that is enriched with vitamins and nutrition needed by the kids to aid in fighting off HIV. Enjoy the pictures. I’ll put the expanded story onto the Safi web page shortly along with links to Crispin's site.

Another project we visited - The Plaster House

The last few days in Arusha had us visiting two special projects that Safi Members, thanks to Elizabeth, have become aware of. They are not secondary schools and are not our main focus but when we travel to TZ we go to learn more of the area the culture and the people and these two projects that we would like to bring to light. It is humbling to know abut other projects.

Sarah runs the Plaster House. This is a unique service in TZ where fluoride is so plentiful, so much so that children get sick from it either during pregnancy or as they are toddlers and young children. Too much fluoride causes their bones to be soft and they need operations to insert rods into the large bones. Pretty nasty stuff for a child. After surgery, they are in plaster casts and can not be sent back home for months, until the casts are removed. Sarah and her husband with a small staff are taking care of their needs until they can go back home. They are renting now and have quickly grown to helping 70-90 kids (18 beds). They are acquiring land and will need to do fund raising to build. Sarah and her husband are undaunted. They can’t stop because the need is so great. I’ll post more about this on the website. Sarah’s website got lost in the internet but when she recovers it I will link it onto the Safi site.

Finally - pictures

The well - When we left they were down 60 meters. The drilling is slow due to being in rock. The sound of the drilling was music to my ears. Keep praying that they hit waster at 90-110 meters (the original estimate of where it is based on knowledge of the area.)

Here are some pictures of the new latrines. Those who know how the old ones looked (ghastly) will greatly appreciate that these can be kept clean.

We're Back

This is just a short note to say we arrived back in Seattle today and scattered to our homes and our own beds. The water from the drinking fountain at SEATAC was absolutely delicious. All our bags arrived with us (including three of the Martin's.) Haldor's Massae Marani (warrior) stick is MIA as it didn't fit into the luggage and went separately. Evidently quite separately. It may show up one day. Tomorrow I'll start posting pictures as internet and electricity were never close enough to even wave at each other, much less meet while we were in TZ. Glad to be home. Tomorrow I get my cat :)

Kristina

PS - The worst part of not having internet is that we didn't get a chance to hear any comments back from all of you. We missed you.

Imagine

Imagine a balmy afternoon, good food and drink, Maasai dancers singing and jumping, and David Nelson in their midst doing his very best to jump along with them. Imagine Cindy and Natalie the center of attention of these same young warriors, receiving necklaces from them, and being asked to choose a betrothed from among them.

This was not quite what we expected when we drove up to Elisabeth's house (Elisabeth is the Ngateu burser), but it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable evenings of our trip. Elisabeth and her husband, Steven, own and operate a waste disposal service that hauls trash and garbage for many of the big hotels and lodges. During the course of the evening, Steven expressed profound thanks for SAFI's support of computer training for Elisabeth. As with so many SAFI projects, this too had unexpected beneficial consequences. According to Steven, Elizabeth's training has added to the efficiency and capacity of what they are able to do with their business, so much so that they have grown the business and been able to employ more workers.

Their next project will be to build a home and school for orphans on their property. They are generous people.

One more "imagine." Imagine the evening ending with a fabric balloon powered by a large candle floating up into the sky to join a nearly full moon as our hosts joined us in "the long farewell." It was truly a magical evening.

Denny Douglass

Blog by Earla

My voice has been silent so far on this trip but not because I have nothing to say. It is difficult to put into words the emotions one experiences in returning to this wonderful place called Tanzania. Relationships between people and cultures are the only way we can hope to mend our differences in this world. We come to work on those relationships and are rewarded by the affection and respect that we now share. This is a small step in the big picture but important nevertheless. Thank you for your support and encouragement.

Impressions of Africa by Cindy

This purposeful trip has been amazing and we are only a week and a half into it. I knew I would experience something I had never experienced before and it sure has been.

So far, there have been two kinds of highs for me – the smiling, eager kids all around Ngeteu and all the amazing animals of the Serengeti. In many respects they are two very different things but yet very similar in that they are both a wonderful creation of God.

The more I see of this amazing planet, the more I know we MUST take care of it – ALL of it. All the kids, all the critters, all the families and all the glorious beauty the land shares with us.

The kids of Ngeteu need so much, yet they have so much. I expected to find a poor school, but am amazed at what I am seeing – without Safi, there would be no books, no kitchen, no latrines, no water (the well is being drilled now and when done, the new latrines will be functional). The kids mostly seem very happy to be there and eager to learn – especially English it seems.

The safari was amazing – the number and kinds of animals, birds, plants – big and small that we saw blows my mind! We saw things that are rare to see – leopards and cubs; a caracal cat and so much more. We visited the place where the oldest human skull was found – is that history or what!

Farewell for now – more adventures tomorrow…

Serengeti Monday

The day after the Packers won the Superbowl, Safi departed on their championship safari to the Serengeti. We got to see the big 5 animals and then some. The highlight of the day was to see the leopard walking next to us on the road. It actually walked under one of our vehicles. It was a female, and seemed much smaller than leopards appear on TV. We saw a family of elephants in a pond and were taking pictures until the driver suggested we back out quickly as one of the elephants appeared to be charging towards us and the driver explained to us it can easily overturn our vehicles.

Lisha got sick and it didn't feel well so I took two naps. When I woke up we saw a zebra really close and a big Maribou stork.

Cindy says that the awesomeness of God's creation came to life for me again seeing the tens of thousands of animals across the Serengeti. One of those many animals we saw and I filmed were six female lions sleeping under a tree two meters away. We spied two cheetahs in the distance and an MGM lion in the bush next to the road. It was really really super duper awesome according to Natalie. To truly describe the tens of thousands of animals.....many were zebra as it took us over an hour to drive through where they were grazing, frolicking, and gathered. Another 11 hours in the car but luckily this one included 3 bathroom brakes, all of which included running water.

A benediction to the day was the blessing of sighting a very rare cat, one our driver has never seen in his many trips to the Serengeti, a caracal (22-40 lbs) with pointy ears who survives by eating birds, bless their feather little souls.

JOYS of Friday the 4th (Mick's birthday)

Mt. Meru as we walked out of our room – clear and majestic

the sound of the drill for the WELL

group gathering for coffee and breakfast

walking to school, greetings for adults and children

Cindy's “high fives” with the primary children

the mzees planning yet another trip to town to get paint ( and gelato)

the sound of the drill for the WELL

mandazi for everyone today – mandazi are not too sweet donuts

Vivian, 2 years old, hanging onto Natalie's leg, her hand, her finger

Vivian, sleeping in Karen's arms

makonda with the teachers – and pilau

the sound of the drill for the WELL

quiet afternoon, pool for some, reading, rest, computer work

and continued joy that the Stamms are safely home, margi is getting medical care and safely home

I'd love to have you all with us!!!!

and, I hope they hit water tomorrow!!!!!

Mary

From Denny - Friday Morning

The creativity and curiosity of the children here is, for me, renewing and energizing. The other day, I pulled masking tape from one of the walls we had painted. To make disposal easier, I formed it into a softball-sized ball. At the trash barrel, I noticed two of the cook's preschool children watching me. On impulse, I threw the ball toward them, and almost instantly, we were playing soccer catch, kicking the ball back and forth, sometimes including older students as they walked past. Squeals and laughter, mine mingled in... What fun! And yesterday, we had finished painting the walls of the science room, and were sketching out a mural that David wants to do. The model is a representation of chemical bonding, so we had clusters of circles traced on the walks. Students drifted in, the first time they had done so, wanted to know what we were doing. We showed them the model of the drawing we were working from and they became very animated asking questions, offering suggestions and generally just engaging us in discussing the project. They are very excited to see it in finished form. I think I will be as amazed as they are at the finished product.

Notes from Nancy

What a day we had yesterday! Painting of classroom, inside and out, continued. The well is progressing - whomp by whomp - and water should be coming soon.

After taping and cataloging new textbooks, we worked with small groups of students from Form I and III. Books at appropriate reading levels and content relevant to African culture made the process fun for both "teacher" and students. The students were eager to read and very helpful to each other. It was of great help to know a smattering of Kiswahili so that concepts were easier for them to understand. We talked about the content and drew conclusions by using pictures in the books and deductive reasoning. I was impressed by their interest, their questions, and their eagerness to learn. We talked about our families, I showed pictures and with a combination of English, Kiswahili, and Maa names of family members and pets were exchanged and understood. The animation on their faces when the "light bulb" clicked was the best gift of all. I'm anxious to work with small groups again.

What the Martins have been doing this year

The Martins have a blog where they have posted their adventures as they have traveled - and boy have they traveled. Follow this link to their blog. They are with us now in Arusha and look great. On Friday we will be going to the school that the kids are attending to play softball - St Mark style.

http://www.travelpod.com/members/jcbl-martin

More about the well and More

It is the most wonderful sound to hear the well drilling when we wake up. The drilling equipment is not the fancy auger type. It is the old fashioned pound the drill bit into the ground type. It is like a loud clock ticking – a constant and steady sound with a generator loudly humming to the beat. I love it. The Manager of the drilling company came by yesterday and we are at 40 meters. They are drilling through a section with lots of boulders that tend to slip back into the hole. The resolution is to drop some casing into the hole to stop the slipping problem. Once they get through the rock they should be finding gravel and faster drilling. The company just drilled another well in the area and they are very knowledgeable of what to expect. That well had good water. We know that the Freedom lodge has good water and the same company drilled here.

The latrines are wonderful looking and the Kitchen cookhouse is awesome. Please enjoy the pictures!

And the best news about the Stamms. They are out of Egypt and were in Amsterdam last night.

Dear Bloggers (From David I)

(mostly written on Tuesday but no internet until today) We have arrived safely except our friends the Stamms who were going to meet us here via Cairo on Monday. As of today (Wednesday) they are still in Cairo waiting for a flight either to Amsterdam or the US. They did have a hotel room last night so were not exclusively at the airport.

We spent Sunday a.m. at a 2 hour worship service with a really fine choir. Then a big brunch at the 'River House', a place that supports the deaf and silent.

Monday we went to the school to start our various projects and get organized for our time here. Met up with the Martins- awfully good to see they are doing so well. Jean Walstrum also met us for dinner so it was a little party.

No clouds this morning so it wil probably be a hot day but with a pool, all is well :)

The well drillers are at work on the well!! My best guess is they are at 28+ meters on the way to 90 where they expect to hit water (since my Swahili is very limited & their English even more so, the estimates are in some doubt) But it is on the way, see pics! More to come in the days ahead.

David I

JUMP!

Hello my name is Natalie, I am a Junior in high school and and have been in Girl Scouts for twelve years, currently an Ambassador. I am working on my Girl Scout Gold Award, the most prestigious award in Girl Scouting (similar to the Eagle Scout Award). For my Girl Scout Gold Award I am in Arusha, Tanzania. For my project, JUMP!, I am going to teach around 100 students at Ngateu Secondary School jump rope rhymes to help improve their math and English skills so that they can pass their rigorous national exams. I brought 10 binders that have the jump rope rhymes in them and 48 jump ropes to leave at the schools so that the students can continue to use and improve their skills.

JUMP!

Freedom Lodge -we're here

I can't get on my gmail account this morning - maybe the Egypt problem, but \i can blog - so hi to all, especially \jen, \jon, Sarah and \jack!
Today we start work at school, so we'll walk up there this morning after breakfast. It got hot yesterday, but it's cloudy this morning, so maybe cooler day. We can always swim this afternoon!
It was such fun to see all the Martins yesterday! They are great and loving all their travels. Today they'll come to dinner with us and the kids can swim and we can catch up - Jean Wahlstrom and Elizabeth will join us, too.
So, it is good to be here - waking up to birds, roosters and cows and voices, going to sleep with barking dogs Not my favorite, good conversations, delight in the progress at Ngateu, the amazing flowers and birds and adorable children and adventure
More soon. Mary

We have arrived in Arusah

Jambo! I can't say the jet lag is gone but will say that our travels were wonderfully uneventful, except for the northern lights that Mary saw over Greenland. Yes it is hot and the altitude adds to that but we are undaunted. Today we went to the church next to Ngateu and I will tell you that their choir was wonderful. church was long. there were 3 offerings and the auction/offering after church included fruit and a young goat.

We walked over to the school to check out the new latrines. David's management of that project was stellar. Pictures will follow when we get a chance. The well drill is in and has gone down 40 meters so far. updates will follow while we are here.

A bonus project is the lab classroom. This was the dark class with a huge motor in the corner and the window walls partly knocked out. The walls have been fixed, windows are installed and the walls are white washed. More needs to be done to make this a science lab but the room is prepared.

Now to the big stuff. Posted outside the office are the scores for form 2 and 4 students. For the first time in Mary's memory - there are Form 4 students who have passed. All form 2 sponsored students passed and most of the non-sponsored form 2 students passed. Just two years ago Ngateu was at the bottom of all secondary schools in Tanzania. This year the test results have placed Ngateu as high as the 50% level. Congratulations and thanks to all of you who help and support these students.

Before your help there was a flood - Safi built a retaining wall.

Before your help there was no lunch. - now all students have lunch.

Before your help there were no books - now students have text books and you can see - they are passing exams.

Before your help there was no hope for water - Ngateu will have water and so much more.

Thank you so much.

Water Project Update - Who hoo

Yes - the latrines are finished (I'll post pictures soon) and........the well drilling will commence next week! We are so excited!

The New School Year begins January 2011!

Wow - that's just weeks away! Find out about this and so much more in the December Newsletter. A lucky group of 14 will be going to Tanzania for three weeks at the end of January. There is so much we have planned to do that it takes a whole page to tell the story. Learn about our sponsor needs and get the latest update about the water project. It is finally really happening!

If you would like a copy of the newsletter via e-mail, please contact info@safischoolproject.org and let us know your wishes ~ YWIMC

purposeful travel 2011, 2012

Travel to Arusha, Tanzania, work at Ngateu Secondary School, visit other projects in the area,

view the wildebeest, zebra, etc. migration.

Dates: Jan. 28 - Feb. 12, 2011

or Jan. 28 - Feb. 17, 2011

$100 will hold a space for you. Cost last year was $4500, including airfare.

Tentative plans are for a trip in October of 2011 and another trip in late June, early July of 2012.

It's an adventure a day! Mary Nelson