I have so much to say after the last 4 weeks of meetings, trainings, quick weekend trip to Zanzibar, and time with the new peace corps trainees, including a few days with them at my site, but...I first had to share this exciting email I just received from an organization called the Friends of Tanzania, based in Virginia. They have agreed to fund the grant I submitted from CHASAWAYA, the orphanage where I teach weekly, in order to finish constructing their classrooms, and fitting them with sufficient supplies for the kids! I am floored. I can't wait to tell Margreth Kaduma tomorrow, my counterpart there--she will be elated!
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Greetings, Tait,
We met this past Saturday evening and the Projects' Committee agreed to
fund the proposal that you submitted concerning completing the construction of the school and vocational training for the organization (CHASAWAYA) of AIDS orphans and vulnerable children.
Our treasurer, will be getting in touch with you about
How and where to transfer the money requested (3,397,500 TZS).
Two requests that the Projects' Committee would appreciate is:
1) a report and some photos of the project and description of benefit
to the recipients; and
2) a small plaque of recognition indicating that the Friends of
Tanzania FOT) 2006 provided funds for completion of the center.
It is indeed a small world. At the full board meeting, a colleague of
Margreth Kaduma, Yassin Hassan was present and spoke highly of
Margreth.
All the best and congratulations again.
Friends of Tanzania Board
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God clearly had his hand in this one, seeing that a friend of my counterpart's was actually sitting on the grant committee! That's no coincidence.
Speaking of grants, my proposal for the construction of a girls' boarding hostel at the Secondary School in my village was initially approved by Peace Corps earlier this month. Hooray! It should be appearing relatively soon on the PC Website if DC Headquarters give their final stamp of approval in August, which would allow friends and family from the US to contribute online. The entire construction, including space to sleep 80 girls plus bathrooms, will cost around $7000. As I mentioned in the proposal, this dorm would greatly reduce sexual harrassment of the girls on their way to/from school and enhance their study time. $1000 has already been generously committed by one lovely family member, so that leaves around $6000 left to raise!
I will be sending out more information on how to donate once the grant appears on the website, but wanted to get the word out for those of you who may have the ability to give to such a venture (or know others who may). Please don't feel obligated :)
Excited to return to Manga and stay for a while. It's back to home sweet home.
With joy,
Tait
*Advice from a River*
Go with the flow
Immerse yourself in nature
Be slow and meander
Avoid the obstacles
Be thoughtful of those downstream
Stay current
The beauty is in the journey!
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