Maasai Steven's Response to Safi School Project

Jambo!

My name is Steven Kimbele, and I am Dennis Douglass’ Tanzanian son. I live in Arusha, with my wife Elizabeth and our four children; Sarah (16), Bryan (12), Shania (10) and Ronald (6). I became involved with Safi Foundation, when they enabled my wife to attend a computer skills course, as she works in the school that the foundation supports. After seeing the improvement in my wife’s IT skills, I wanted to contact the foundation to thank them. I am Maasai, and it is tradition to give the local brew, ‘honey beer’, as a gift to someone who has helped you. However, this was not possible as I could not send beer from Africa to the States! So instead I brought a traditional honey jar which the beer is kept in, so that I could send it to the foundation in the U.S.A. When the foundation was in Tanzania, seven months later, I invited them for dinner at my home to show my gratitude and gave them the honey beer jar. A special friendship was formed and I now see Dennis as my American father and Safi group as brothers and sisters. It was then arranged for me to visit Dennis at his home in America.

I have recently returned from the most amazing three weeks in America. I received excellent hospitality and was welcomed with open arms by everyone that I met. I enjoyed experiencing the culture, although Jello is the one thing that I will not miss about America! We traveled through Washington, California and Oregon, and I was amazed by Dennis’ driving skills, my goodness that man can drive! I wish the roads in Tanzania were as good as the roads in America. Whilst in America we drove to see David Nelson’s house. Even though he was in Tanzania at the time, I liked seeing where he lived and saying hi to his house! .We as well visited Nancy and her husband in Washington.

This incredible trip was the result of the foundation supporting my wife with her computer skills course. This is just one example of the many ways in which the foundation is helping the people of Tanzania, and raising living standards here. They have also funded tuition, and provided a reliable water supply for both the school and the wider community.

I would like to say thank you very much for all the work that you are doing in Tanzania and enabling me to travel to America.

You are all welcome to Tanzania.

:Peace be with you:

Asante  sana!