Hello from Tanzania!

Hello dear friend,

Just sending some warm greetings from Tanzania!

​As was to be expected, since my arrival last Wednesday morning, it’s been a bit of a whirlwind of meetings with partners, visits to schools and time spent at Shalom orphanage. My students, now teens, have in many cases grown taller than I and have been unwilling to let me walk far from their sight during our time together.​ Additionally, walking through Karatu town, I cannot go too far without being stopped by business owners and neighbors telling me “Umepotea, Eliza” = “You’ve been lost, Eliza.”​ In these moments, I remember being told a few news ago by the school nurse as she greeted me one morning, “Uko nyumbani,” = “You’re home.” Truly. In short, it’s been just a dream. Thankfully my Swahili hasn’t been too forgotten either!

As you may know, I​ a​m back here to develop the next stage of ​the sponsorship program I created 8 years ago through ​J​ourneys of Solutions. All of the students are now secondary (high school) students so it’s a big transition time for the program! To continue to meet the educational needs of these amazing young humans, I’m planning a big fundraiser​ event​ in 2018 for a higher ed​ucation​ fund I’m developing​ “Kesho Fund”​, so stay tuned for some more updates on that in the coming weeks/months!

Some pictures below in case you’re​ curious for some glimpses.

Hoping you’re well​ this holiday season!​

Peace,
E​liz​​a​beth/DF​

1. My five eldest students

My five eldest students who just graduated Form IV and are awaiting their placements for A-levels or college, pending their scores. They were all 8 yrs old when I first met them​; ​they are now 17!!

2. More children from the orphanage

More children from the orphanage who became sponsored during my tenure in Tz and are now at Tumaini Senior Secondary School, which was started in 2016 by the same founder of the primary school where I was based for ~5 years. Shortly after this pic there was an EPIC dance off between the secondary boys and girls...I may have instigated it by dancing soul train style down the aisle, much to the shock of the boys; the girls were thrilled!!

3. One of my favorite teachers​ and​ former Librarian​

With one of my favorite teachers​ and​ former Librarian​ who is​ now focused on computer classes at the primary school, Tumaini Junior School. Here ​Mr. Jimmy and I​ are in the library I helped create; thankfully it has become more expansive since my departure 3 years ago.

4. Enjoying recess at the primary school

Enjoying recess at the primary school which is one of the tallest buildings in Karatu town for now. ​

A shopping adventure for Shalom 2

A shopping adventure for Shalom, made complete by a ride on a bajaji (a 3 wheeled vehicle that has become a norm for travel in Karatu); I was joined by one of our sponsored students and his friend.

A shopping adventure for Shalom

A shopping adventure for Shalom, made complete by a ride on a bajaji (a 3 wheeled vehicle that has become a norm for travel in Karatu); I was joined by one of our sponsored students and his friend.