Superstars

This is very, very belated, but I want to share with everyone the awesomeness of Myers Park High School, Amy Hammond, Ashton Ratcliffe, and Drew Hammond (as well as chaperone extraordinaire Julie Hammond).

At the end of June, Julie brought her daughter Amy, her son Drew, and friend Ashton to Tanzania to volunteer at our partner orphanage, Matonyak, whom you have read about in previous blogs. These young girls were inspired by TFFT and the children in our programs and decided to take action. They got their peers at Myers Park involved in fundraising for TFFT, more specifically sponsoring Richard Francis, one of our scholarship recipients (who just graduated Class 7). Then, when the girls decided they were coming to Tanzania, they began fundraising for Matonyak where they would be volunteering for several weeks over the summer. These young ladies were creative; designing and selling t-shirts, and collecting money in any way possible way. They ended up heading to Tanzania with a couple thousand dollars raised by their high school!

Once here- they got right to business, figuring out the dala dala system (the local transportation which carries people, chickens, goats, veggies and anything else they can fit in the tiny little mini van), and walking for ages out to Maasai land. They spent their days teaching the children at Matonyak and creating fun projects for the kids (they made books about themselves, and took pictures and decorated them, to name a few). After lunch, instead of resting they worked with Emmy and Ndemno to figure out what more they could do to help. With the money raised they were able to provide a new playground for the kids, desks and chairs for the classrooms, some bicycles, chickens and TWO cows! They spent their afternoons in the Maasai markets, wood shops, walking through the villages with the cows or bargaining for cheaper prices. The cows were built a nice home and were named Ashton and Amy, appropriately.

It was a wonderful few weeks for the children at Matonyak, TFFT, and me personally. It was even more wonderful to see more young people working to create a better future for others, and receiving support from their parents, teachers and peers. Thank you Julie, Amy, Ashton and Drew for your hard work, dedication, and support! Karibu Tanzania any time!

Long Time No Blog

Well, unfortunately this is not the first, and probably not the last apology I will be writing, but it is sincere. I am sorry for the lack of blog posts recently. Life in Tanzania has definitely been changing and busy lately!

A quick re-cap of the past few months- the kids went on break in August which gave us some much needed time to re-organize as well as visit many of the kids in their respective villages. It was great to meet some new relatives and see the children in such a different environment! They went back to school at the end of the month, and have been busy studying, playing, losing teeth, learning and growing since then. Our Class 7 kids; Nancy, Richard Francis, Simon, Dicklucky, Happiness, Irene, and Richard Augustine all graduated and started a new Pre-Form 1 program we started with Usa River Academy and a tutor in Lushoto (for Simon and Richard F.). The Form 2 kids took their National Exams and have gone home early after a grueling few weeks of studying and preparation. We've had Visiting Day with Christmas Carols, and countless Doctor's Appointments for new glasses (Violethi), pulled teeth (Mathayo) and all sorts of interesting "issues". However, everyone is healthy and happy and excited for break on December 5th!

In the office, we've had a lot going on as well. We said goodbye to Alley Brindza, our amazing Scholarship Program Director (and my wonderful roommate), and hello to Fratern Tarimo, our new Managing Director. Fratern has jumped into his role running and has been an awesome addition to the TFFT team. Plus, he loves pizza (like Alley) so we get along well! We saw our two tutors Franco and Amani head off to University, which was exciting and brought on two new tutors, Lobulo and Daniel who the kids love. We have also been experiencing new power "rations" which boils down to no power every day either during the day or evenings and so...(hold applause) we got a generator! Life in the office has changed dramatically (as evident by this blog) since our new purchase last week. It's been great to continue working in office even when we don't have power and great to have some light in the evenings when I'm stumbling around the house.

Otherwise, we're settling into a nice rainy season with daily showers or downpours depending and much greener surroundings. The Jacaranda's are slowly dwindling, but still in bloom and the speed bumps out to school are being filled in- shaving at least 10 minutes off our trip each day! So life is good over here in Tanzania.

I'm going to see if I can't get a few belated blogs up as well. I'm back in the game!!

Barber Blues..

So- just a funny little post quickly...

Every couple of weeks it seems the kids get this rather nasty head fungus. Not sure if it's ring worm, or a random fungus but it's pretty gross either way. The remedy for this is a quick trip to the Doctor for some medicated cream and a full buzz cut at the barber.

Last week was no exception with Rosie being the first to approach me with said fungus. She informed me that her head "was paining" and she needs a shave (which she acted out for me). I told her we would go the next day and to be ready when I got to school. Well, the next day, Mathayo, Athumaini and Apaifura all informed me that they too were sick on their heads. SO- we piled in the car, swung past the Usa River Medical Clinic for some medicine and then hit up the Barber.

Everyone was excited and the Barber is a really nice guy who enjoys the kids. However, Rosie, the ring leader ended up hating the whole shaving process and was not too happy by the end. I even tried to cheer her up with biltong, which surprisingly didn't work. The others enjoyed it though! Guess you can't win them all. Anyways, we decided to have a photo shoot while waiting for everyone and I had to share the pics with everyone because they're hysterical. Hope these give you a good mid-week laugh.

Old Man Mathayo...

Mini T...

A happy Athumaini

A not so happy Rosie..

Half Way Again!

Well I can’t believe we are already half way through another term, and visiting day has come and gone. Alley and I have definitely been busy the past few months and it seemed that before we knew it the Big Day had snuck up on us! The kids were all a buzz about Saturday, asking us constantly if we would be coming. Of course!

Learning from experience, we decided to bring food for the kids instead of paying the ridiculous prices the school vendors were charging for chicken and chipsies. So, we made a run to the grocery and spent the Friday before cooking 70+ pieces of chicken for all the kids. We also convinced Mama Baby, who runs the rice and beans joint in our neighborhood to cook up some chapati for us. The morning of Visiting Day, Alley and I rolled out of our house with 70+ chicken pieces, chapatis, lollies, and juices. We arrived two hours past the starting time, and yet Lou, Alley and I found ourselves still nearly 2 hours early. Gotta love the pace of Africa.

The boys enjoying the chicken

The day proved to be a success! All the primary classes performed for us and many of the older kids were involved in skits, singing with the choir or dance troops. We even saw a performance of Enrique Inglesias by two twins in Form 5, and yes there were young girls screaming. It was amazing really.

The babies performing!

We also had a great turn out of visitors! Amani and Franco, our new tuition tutors showed up with lollies, which were a big hit! Sister Enna and some folks drove 6 hours from Lushoto to visit with Richard, Isack, Simon and Zacharia. Mama Mike came with Mama Neema and Mama Simone and her daughter Cathy came. Mama Pendo from Nkoroanga Orphanage and Mr. Pallangyo and Mr. Kaia from Good Hope came by. Maggie who cares for Lomanyaki and Namayani rushed to school after work to hang with the babies. Glady and Esther’s Dad and Step-mom, and several other relatives of the kids came to play as well. It was great and everyone was thrilled to have some company outside of Alley, Lou and myself!

Amani and his friends!

All in all I think it was another great day!

Thank You Edith & Margaret!

After succesfully summiting on Kilimanjaro, Edith and Margaret Wyatt - TFFT sponsors - spent some time at Matanyok on their recent trip to Tanzania. They hoped to bring some artistic inspiration to Matanyok and the children there.. with a mural! Margaret hopes to study art in the future and put together a plan. After careful selection of the local hardware store's paint, they were ready to go! With the children's help, they created the masterpiece you see below...

Some of the children showing off their artistic talents!

Completed Mural by Wyatts & Matanyok Children

The mural was completed in record time, allowing for Edith and Margaret to organize some other art projects for the children - painting, coloring, and collage making! Emmy, Ndemno, and all of the children at Matanyok had a great time with the Wyatt's and their art projects... what an awesome way to have the children create something that will last forever!

Alley Brindza's 1 Year Anniversary

For those who are not aware today is Alley's (one of our fabulous Program Directors in Tanzania) 1 year anniversary of being on the ground in Tanzania working with our kids. For those of you who are parents you'll be able to commiserate a bit with alley. Working with kids is not always the easiest job. They are not always the first to say thank you or you've done an amazing job or I couldn't bear to loose you, but always the first to need something, hang their skinny little bodies on your legs or in Tanzania to say "na mimi, na mimi.." "and me..and me". Alley's role is a large one, technically speaking she's the "Relationship Manager" with our schools and orphanages but in reality that means dealing with ALL needs of our 66 scholarship kids, whether it's being in doctors offices days at a time with one child that has malaria, one with an ear infection, one with a cold.. It requires often driving 45 minutes to school from our office at 7am and 7 pm to make sure Rach gets her ARV drugs on time and in the proper manner. It's being in the market day in and day out to get the best deal and all the necessities children from 5 -20 need..and yes that's a lot..think school shoes, sports shoes, flip flops, soap for washing clothes, soap for washing bodies, lotion/Vaseline, shoe polish, locks for lockers, more locks for lockers..oh and even more locks for the lockers whose keys work in everyone else’s lockers. It requires coordinating and overseeing our tutoring program, evaluating the children's performance and making sure investors in our Scholarship Program are made aware of our kids progress. It'sbeing there to wipe tears, listen to problems or tell them when their misbehaving. It's actually quite comical to hear Kate Gosling complain about 8..i almost want to introduce her to Alley's life and see what she has to say! Alley definitely doesn't get ski trips to Park City for her and the kids! With all that being said I've never met a more self-motivated, dedicated team member than Alley. She does all this day after day (often 7 days a week) and still manages to wake up and see the value in it and the opportunity she's helping to give to these children.  She's got an amazing laugh and a heart of gold and because of that I want to THANK Alley for all that she's done for TFFT and our children!

 Hat's off to ya Alley! 

Lots of love stateside! xxoo

A family of 64?

As the kids returned to school this month, I was reminded yet again how important the TFFT Family has become to not only us; the organization or the staff here on the ground, but to the children. Earlier this month Alley, Lou and myself headed out to pick up our 64 watoto and bring them back to Usa River Academy for Term II. It made for 3 cars (with the help of Lou and John), and a long day, but the smiles on the kids faces made every single pick up worthwhile. As we showed up to school with each car full of children, trunks, and bags full of goods for the next three months, we found many of the students crying, sad to leave their families behind. However, our family, the TFFT family couldn't have been more thrilled. With each drop the crowd in the grass grew larger and the cheers for the kids arriving grew louder. There were chants, and tackles, hugs and laughter.

It occurred to me that TFFT was accomplishing exactly what we were meant to be. We have successfully created a safe environment for these 64 children. An environment where they can learn, can thrive and feel at home. TFFT is not changing the past, giving them back their parents, or adjusting the reality of their individual situations. However, we are giving them a future, giving them a hope they can rely on, and people who care about them. 

As I was heading home that evening, I bumped into teachers Ruth and Margaret who teach Class 1 and 2. I gave them a liftee into Usa and as we drove they talked about how happy they were to see all the children again. Teacher Ruth then said, "Emily, your children, these ones from TFFT are so happy. They are the best because they get here and there are no tears, they are just so happy to be with the other children. Yes, they are so happy to be here with their friends- they are like family." It was a nice day to be in Africa, and a great day to be a part of the TFFT family.

Snake Park Safari

Lou cooked up the brilliant idea to have a fun-filled afternoon for our scholarship children of a field trip & ice cream and had the perfect location: Usa River Snake Park. Split into two groups, we took off up the Momella Road last Thursday and Friday. Within minutes of arrival, it was obvious who were the reptile lovers. I was quite impressed as most were fearless, trying to get as close as possible and even willing to hold some of the creatures! They were fascinated by everything. We had two great guides who took the kids around teaching them about every animal at the center. They were all great listeners and I know they learned a lot.

We were able to see all kinds of different snakes - African Tree Snake, Green Mambo, Cobras, Rat Snakes, and that's only the beginning. The albino cobra from Thailand was the favorite amongst the older boys.

Lomanyaki holding a snake!

The larger than life crocodiles instigated shrieks and shrills from the children, but they came around and couldn't help but hanging on the sides of the pit staring. The snake park also had several tortoises wandering around the different pits which became favorites of the children. They weren't afraid to pick them up, touch their shells, pet their heads (if the turtle was brave enough!), and some even had the chance to sit on them!

Helena and Sophia sitting on tortoises!

There are hundreds and hundreds of chameleons living in little huts all over the back portion of the center. In East African traditions, chameleons are bad omens so everyone was a little hesitant getting too close. But after seeing the guide pull out one after the next, they warmed up to the idea of holding the little creatures.

After our little adventures with the reptiles, we had refreshing snack of ice cream cones and headed back to school. Everyone had a blast! I know this will be a treasured memory for them all in the years to come.

Our Scholarship Kids

SOS Gala Press Release

 Howdy All;

Sorry this has taken so long to get out - I've been in Nairobi setting up the Teacher Training program with Braeburn High School (Nairobi).  I'm actually meeting two members of the Education Department from Kenyatta University tonight, so hopefully I can report back some welcoming news.  Anyhoo, just wanted to let all of you who weren't at the gala to keep abreast of the comings and goings of TFFT.  Enjoy!

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Nairobi Hosts TFFT’s First Annual South of the Sahara (S.O.S.) Gala

 

Muthaiga, KENYA – Members of ‘the Foundation for Tomorrow’ (TFFT) hosted the first annual South of the Sahara fundraising Gala in Muthaiga, Kenya on Saturday, February 28^th in the hope of raising awareness for its work throughout East Africa.  Over sixty guests from around the world attended the event, which showcased the many humanitarian projects which the Foundation’s staff supervise in and around Tanzania. 

 

Spearheaded by TFFT Managing Director, Ms. Lali Heath, the event raised over $12,000 in funds which will be earmarked for various new projects that the Foundation for Tomorrow is pursuing – including a Teacher Training program which will help to improve the quality of maths education in TFFT-affiliate schools in Arusha.

 

In addition to benefiting a worthy cause, guests were treated to five-star cuisine, live entertainment from Ms. Maia Van Lekow, a silent auction and raffle – with prizes that ranged from original artwork to stays in boutique lodges located throughout Kenya and Tanzania.  In the words of one S.O.S. Gala guest, Mr. Joris Smit of Amstelveen, Holland the event “was a hugely fun.  And I really felt gratified that my gift was going to help such a great organization, and such great kids.”

 

Founded in 2006 and based in Charlotte, North Carolina USA, the Foundation for Tomorrow is an NGO which provides quality education for orphaned and abandoned children in Tanzania.