Karatu Calling! The ABB goes back to Tanzania
Dear Supporters and “Kindred Spirits” of the African Book Box Society,
Anne and I will be returning to Tanzania on October 6th. We have been told there is a down turn in the economy but when Tanzania is thought to be the 13th poorest nation in the world, it is hard to recognize a new onslaught of poverty. Our ten year commitment to Mufundi has been completed yet heartstring ties will always remain. This visit will concentrate in the Karatu district, about two hours from Arusha, the nearest city to Mount Kilimanjaro. In Karatu we will partner with retired Victoria architect Alan Roy, of ‘Primary Schools for Africa Society’. We plan to teach at Gongali Primary School under the direction of head teacher Margreth Macha. The children at the school were walking twelve kilometres each day, partly because there was no food available at the school. ABB was able to fund a meal-in-a-mug program to cut the walking in half.
BELOW: HEAD TEACHER MARGRETH MACHA SHOPPING FOR THE ‘MEAL-IN-A-MUG’ PROGRAM
Our most exciting project though, is the construction of a vocational school – The Flame Tree Vocational School (in Swahili: Mti Wa Moto). Village youth, citizens and leaders had long hoped for this identified need to become a reality. There are so many young people wanting to learn a trade and become sustainably employed. Anne and Terry Pearson’s long time friend and colleague has most generously financed the major portion of this ambitious project. The physical plant is being built in pods as funds are made available. We are also fund raising for needed teaching equipment, plumbing, electrical, sewing school etc. Alan Roy donated both his time and expertise to draw both the plans and the working drawings. Restus Sanka, his brilliant Tanzanian contractor, is overseeing the construction. We hope the first students will be attending class while we are there.
BELOW: RENDERING OF THE NEW VOCATIONAL SCHOOL AND A PHOTO OF THE ONGOING CONSTRUCTION
So dear donors, we still need your compassionate support to help us to assist these strong-willed, deserving people who are trying so hard to overcome their circumstances and create a sustainable economy for now and for the future.
Watch for our updates and photos as we face our next African ‘adventure’!
Best wishes, Anne and Ruth
