January: Before this new year began we set the wheels in motion to make sure the children have a lunch at school every day when the new term begins on 6th January. The lack of maize due to the continuing drought means that everyone in Kongwa is now reduced to one meal a day.
A good friend and adviser in Kongwa was able to locate the best maize price in the area and he made several journeys to fetch the maize, beans and oil and make the deliveries to the school.
1 sack of maize (6 x 20L) provides approx 10 meals for 45 children. The cost of a sack is £43 (120,000 Tanzania Shillingi). There are 560 children at the school and they will all have a school lunch every day until the end of February . . . thanks to all who have contributed to make this possible.
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February: The maize and beans we delivered to the school in January is still providing lunches for the children . . . the only meal of the day for them at the moment. One sack of maize provides 45 children with 10 meals each. Thanks to all who contributed we were able to provide lunch for the 560 children on all school days and this is ongoing. See below preparation of lunch for so many little ones. . . from delivery of the sacks, offloading and on to preparation and serving.
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They had rains in Kongwa in mid February and just look at how everything is turning green. A vegetable garden has been prepared at the school and although the rains have stopped there is plenty of water from the borehole to water the garden. These vegetables (mboga) are fast growers and very nutritious. How wonderful that the children can have vegetables with their school lunch now. Thanks to all who contributed to make this possible.
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March: I have heard from Kongwa that they are closing the school for 30 days due to the Corona Virus. I am assured that there are no cases at the school or in the villages at this time and this is a precaution. What troubling times for this world.
May: The school is still closed on Government advice regarding Covid 19.
June: I heard that Kongwa had seven cases of the virus and, very sadly, two people have died.
Tomato Project : There is a small group of ladies who support the Albino families in the area, especially when the children require medical treatment or eye test and glasses. As they have to travel to Dar es Salaam for the main tests the support they receive from the group means the children do not have to wait for treatment.
At this time, the head of one of the families began a tomato project just outside of the town and needed help with the purchase of a pump and pipes. The Group thought this to be a great idea which would also benefit the community so their contributions were sent to help with the cause.
Photos received at end of July:
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29th June : The school re-opened today with very happy children glad to be starting classes again.
Kindergarten : As the school has been closed for several months I arranged to have a maintenance check carried out. Since the glass windows of the Kindergarten building were all broken again we have decided to replace them with wrought iron backed by mesh. . . this is thought to be a much stronger option. This is the type we are looking for :
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I am awaiting photos of the completed “new look” Kindergarten. (To go directly to 2021 for the photos and report on the Kindergarten windows please click this link 2021)
Annual School Trip to Mikumi : When the school re-opened we were very concerned that perhaps the School Trip would have to be postponed for this year due to the Covid-19 virus. However, the National Parks have now re-opened and the Government has confirmed that the children will be allowed to visit Mikumi. This trip is being arranged for the weekend of 10th/11th October 2020 and I am awaiting details. Fundraising has begun for this so if you would like to sponsor a child this year please go to the “Donate” page.
October: Thanks to those who responded to my appeal for funds for the Annual School Trip, and to all who contributed throughout the year, the school trip is definitely going ahead. 88 children and 4 teachers will be picked up early on 10th October and taken to Mikumi National Park (a six hour journey) where they will spend the weekend.
10.10.2020 School Trip to Mikumi National Park: Having completed their National Examinations on Thursday the children were very excited to be going on this trip of a lifetime.
The buses picked them up early this morning.
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Please click this link to go directly to 2021