UPDATE FROM TEAM VISTA TANZANIA
Hi all,
Vaccinations are now available through USA …. the Tanzanian’s are slowly getting vaccinated. There are many people from the community dying from COVID and related issues, with one of my Tanzanian boys, Moses’ dad being the latest! We literally “picked up” Moses from the streets 10 years ago. Moses hasn’t seen his dad for over 20 years, however because he is my Team Vista son and is employed as an electrician, he was summoned by a family member to pay for father’s body to be moved from mortuary, and to pay for burial!! That’s how things go in Tanzania!!
Moses hanging from the top of a pole….. safety equipment?? What’s that?? I have now bought him complete safety clothes plus helmet!!
I now have a container heading over to Tanzania.I was hoping to send a 40ft however between August 14th and 23rd, the price doubled!!! I am now sending a 20ft one – supposed to sail 11/9 but that also has been delayed. Today I spent the morning out at DIK with Bob checking out the supplies I can take.
Thank you to Sparkey for the cupboards and then fixing the bottom up on each one ready to send. Thank you also to Steve’s cousin Rhonda who has continued to knit the most beautiful baby beanies! Over the covid period, she has knitted close to 140!!
The container has 12 large boxes, plus one full of stationary paper (thank you Yvonne) as well as heaps of pens and pencils, which I bought from Reject Shop – pkt pens $1, rulers 50c .. made in China of course but thankfully The Reject Shops are still open.
From DIK today I have school desks and chairs- various sizes, filing cabinets, shelves, 1 humidicrib, 2 ECG machines, 4 blood pressure machines and a box full of medical supplies.
My local pharmacy at Brickworks in Middleborough Rd has given me 12 boxes paracetamol and 12 boxes of eye drop ampules – thank you Ahmed.
My Tanzanian son…now Doctor Said is looking forward to a new ECG machine and a humidicrib that actually works!
There are no tools left at DIK but Sparkey has given me a garden fork and a pick axe. I would like a few more tools to take over such as hammer, saws for timber, garden rake, etc. I have always bought the China reject tools from the markets when I am in Moshi, however they don’t last very long at all.
I still have $100 X 5 Bunnings vouchers left if anyone wants to buy, (or donate….hint, hint)
My 14 university students are now on a four week break, so they will be tutoring our secondary students. My 9 “A” level students have left for College – the first time they have left the community. They have spent the past 6 months tutoring our secondary kids, so Uni students will now take over. These young people give back as much as they can as a way of thanking Team Vista for their educational opportunities. They also spoke to Team Vista parents and community before they left for College.
With the new government in Tanzania, some good things in Education seem to be happening, and my Team Vista staff headed over to Dodoma for Tanzanian NGO conference, where they presented our Mission, Vision and Strategic plan. They received excellent feedback from the government officials who were also impressed in our Child Welfare program. The welfare picture books (I have a Secret to Tell) were also donated and I have 200 loaded into container as well. These picture books in both English and Swahili have been invaluable as an excellent teaching aid particularly with the younger children in our schools. Sexual abuse of children under 12 is still one of our major concerns. We have had little ones come to Team Vista office, and tell Yahaya, our school liaison officer that they “have a secret to tell”. The staff immediately connect with Child Welfare and Police, as our staff are not adequately trained in these matters. My staff always accompany child/parent to the courts when required. I have been asked to present our program to Regional Education officer so it can be implemented throughout all the Primary schools in Moshi. I aim to be back there in2022!!
Thank you all for your support
Love Kerry Anne
www.teamvista.com.au
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