Friday, June 29, 2012

An African Evening in Filey, England.


Hello again,

What a wonderful night we had when Filey Rotary Club raised money for the project in Ukerewe, Tanzania!

Decorations were made to turn the Hall into a fun African setting ...

lights turned low and African music was played.

The jungle drums were pounding thanks to a rousing effort by pupils from our local Junior School who started the evening off with a tremendous performance.  They were brilliant, thanks to the tuition of their headteacher.

During the evening, we had an African themed quiz and also a raffle.

The food served was a Babotie dish, which is typical South African food of spicy mince, along with rice, potatoes and salad.  All this was followed by a variety of delicious puddings.

Our 'guest' appearances were a witch doctor and his friend the gorilla ...
who, during their performance, surprised our incoming President and his Lady by putting them in the cooking pot, until a suitable ransom was given for their release.

Many of the guests were suitably dressed in a variety of different African costumes....
from various areas of the continent ...
like this ......
and this .....     .....     .....     .....      .....

and even us ...     .....     .....     .....       .....      .....       .....      .....       .....       ......


The last hour was for dancing.   We would like to thank everyone (including our family) who helped to make this evening such a fun time, and also for their financial contributions to help the people of Ukerewe.

Until the next time,

Best wishes to you all,
Diane and Derek








































Friday, June 22, 2012

Proposed Projects for July 2012.


Hello again,

We would like to share with you some of the projects that the team hope to achieve in the next visit to Ukerewe in July 2012.

WATER.   It is hoped that we can improve the water supply to Nansio town and also to supply water to six Primary Schools by organizing the installation of new pipes and outlets.  This will benefit about 5600 pupils aged 7 - 11 who at the moment have no access to running water.  We hope to also provide water filters in each school so that the children will have the benefit of drinking water.  The headmasters have arranged to dig the trenches and to take responsibility for maintenance.

SANITATION.  Two blocks of toilets will be built, and each one will have a unique facility - a stainless steel urinal trough, generously donated by a company in Hull, England - see blog number 25.

COMMUNITY AMENITY AND PLAYGROUND.  It is planned to transform a two acre waste land into a community amenity with a volley ball court, play equipment and seats.  The area will also be landscaped and a public toilet constructed, the first of its kind in Nansio.

HEALTH.  A steam autoclave has been manufactured in India and is on its way to Tanzania, where it will be installed at the hospital in Nansio together with water filters, so that the autoclave will use clean water.  This will greatly improve the sterilization of surgical eqiupment at the hospital.  Further improvements will also be made to the Maternity Waiting Hostel.

LAKE VICTORIA CHILDRENS SOCIETY.  We will support the work of local volunteers who provide Primary Education and Food to orphans and vulnerable children.  In addition, in the container there are large quantities of childrens clothes, toys and books.  These will be distributed to disadvantaged children on the island.  It is also planned to improve the facilities at this organization.

THE ALBINO SOCIETY.  Also in the container are supplies of sun cream, hats, sunglasses, long sleeved shirts and other clothes.  All of these items will offer some protection from the heat of the sun.  There are also tools for this group, that will be used to help them to become more self sufficient.   It is also hoped that improvements can be made to the well on their premises.

SCHOOLS.  We will work with six Secondary Schools, supplying books and science equipment.  We also plan to improve vocational training and where necessary, arrange for electricity to be supplied at the schools.

MICRO CREDIT PROJECTS.  There are already successful micro credit programmes running on the island.  It is hoped to expand these by providing a Clay Oven to bake bread, a fruit juice bar and an incubator to hatch chickens.   Each one of these has the potential of triggering new businesses, hopefully reducing dependance on imported food and adding value to local produce.

THE BRIQUETTE MAKER.  Update to our blog number 27, two Tanzanian trainers will be coming from Northern Tanzania, to the island to instruct a group from the local community, how to use the equipment and to convert waste material into a product that will be come a viable commercial enterprise.

There are certainly exciting times ahead and we are sure the whole team are looking forward to this visit.

Until next time,

Best wishes,
Derek and Diane.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Hooray! The Container has arrived safely.


Hello to you all,

As we told you back in April, a willing band of helpers packed the forty foot container on 7th April 2012 for it to go on its long journey to Tanzania.

Having sailed around the Horn of Africa and down the East Coast, past Somalia and Ethiopia, it eventually arrived in Mombassa in Kenya.  It was then sent in bond to the Tanzanian border where it cleared customs, and again embarked on its long overland journey to Ukerewe.  Fortunately on this occasion, it did not have to be unpacked in Mwanza, but went straight onto a ferry and over to the island.

When it arrived in Nansio, Ukerewe on 7th June, a group of 32 students helped to unload the hundreds of individual boxes and items and put them into a warehouse.   All of the goods will remain there until the arrival of our group early in July.

Our thanks go to the Rotary Clubs of Mwanza and Ukerewe for their help in ensuring that the container and its contents arrived safely at its final destination.  Thank you also to the Students - we are sure it was exhausting work in the hot African sun.  Bless you all.

As you know, this container is full of Smiles for the people of Ukerewe, and we look forward to distributing the goods and working on various projects there.   What a happy time it will be!

Until the next time,

Best Wishes,
Diane and Derek.