Thank You!

When Derek came back from his last visit in March last year, we decided that we would like to collect toys for the children of Ukerewe.   We knew that the car boot sales would be a good place for bargains.  In May we bought our first few toys. 

This little collection cost just under £22.00 and we were delighted.  As the weeks went on, people got to know why we were collecting, and many people gave us toys for free.  We brought them home and washed  and mended them if necessary.  We gave ourselves a target of 1000 toys to collect.  Our Rotary Club, as well as friends and family gave us donations to purchase more.  At this stage we were mainly collecting toys.

On one occasion, whilst sorting through at a car boot sale, we bought 21 childrens videos, not knowing if they could be used in Ukerewe, but as they were only £1.00 for the lot, we brought them home.  At that stage we made contact with Alex Magaga in Ukerewe, and he thought it was a wonderful idea - as the children do learn English in the schools.   Since then we have obtained  video players and t.v.s plus  lots and lots of childrens video tapes, which would probably have been thrown away, as no longer needed in this country.  Fortunately, the electrical voltage and plugs in Tanzania, are the same as in U.K.

As time went on, we received/collected many different items including shoes, clothes,  books, tennis balls and racquets, dollies, all for children, and later mens and womens clothing  plus bed linen.   Classroom furniture and educational equipment was given by schools, after they had heard of our appeal.   Some high street shops were approached and we were given childrens new clothes, sunscreen products, coloured pencils, frizbees, drawing books, hand gel, toothpaste and tissues etc.  Even one of the Charity shops gave us a donation!  Last week we received a large donation of goods from friends, which included medical equipment and supplies, from a private hospital.  This week we are collecting more womens clothes from a High St. shop.

Box number 207 has now been packed.  Most of the boxes have already been taken to the 'holding depot' in Huddersfield ready for the container to be loaded. 

WE ARE STILL COLLECTING ITEMS.  We need computers, if anyone is replacing theirs.  Reading and text books.  Hand or electric sewing machines, cottons and material.  In fact, if you have anything that you no longer require, please get in touch and see if we can use it, before you throw it away.

We would like to thank, most sincerely, everyone who has donated time, money and goods to this cause, as without your help and generosity, we would not be able to send such a wonderful selection of items.   

Bless you all,

Best wishes,

Diane and Derek.