TRIP UPDATES

March 13, 2007

Greetings from Singida Town!

We have completed the first part of the mission thanks to the help of many dedicated friends. We are now preparing for the Outreach Medical Mission that will begin today.

The first two weeks of the mission were challenging and rewarding. The usual 8-hour road trip to Singida became a 16-hour test of vehicles, drivers and team members. Because of torrential rains over the past few weeks the primary roads, which are unpaved, have been devastated. Roadbeds, bridges, crossings and bridge approaches have been washed away and the roads are either a sea of mud or a bone jarring series of rocks, ruts and holes which are reminiscent of the photos of the early 1900's in America. We completed the trip with only one flat tire but many sore backsides.

Eleven people coming from California, Minnesota, Florida, Iraq, and Iowa were members of the Team. Our goal was to continue with upgrade of the Ilunda Ward Village water supplies, install water purification equipment, distribute Kids Against Hunger Meals and begin construction on the Gunda Secondary Farm Demonstration project.

We began the mission by visiting two orphanages in Moshi. Outreach has provided over 250,000 Kids Against Hunger meals to Light in Africa and Harvest of Hope programs. The Calvary Lutheran Church of Excelsior MN and Outreah San Diego KAH Satellite partners packaged and provided funds for these meals. The two programs are currently providing meals to over 250 children each day. The Team Members from Excelsior MN were able to find boxes of KAH meals, which they had personally packaged being given to the Children. It is a rewarding and heart warming experience to see and know that what we do in America gets to those who are so much in need in Tanzania.

Mike Barrows and his partner Muna, from Tanga, joined the Team. Mike and Muna are well fundis (technicians) who joined us to introduce well maintenance and well boring techniques to the Gunda Secondary School program. They also helped to repair the windmill, and then found broke water lines leading to the Hospital.

The well pump supplying water to the water tower at Nkungi broke, and the already broken windmill, made the well at the secondary school the only water available. This well was equipped with a chlorination system during the October trip. The Hospital administrator said the cases of water born diseases such as Typhoid, has decreased dramatically since they have been drinking this water.

The village of Nkungi was honored with the visit of the Regional Commissioner, like our Governor. He was interested in the water project, KAH food program, the Porta-Doc, Medical Team, and the Secondary School projects. He is very interested in the irrigation and farming program. He suggested Outreach should go to each secondary school in the region to implement the same program as in Nkungi Village. He also required the village to have two more, two-class room buildings completed by the middle of April. They are expecting enrollment to be close to 600 students! Of course this means a girls dorm is a top priority along with more teachers houses. (There is a great need for good teachers from America who can stay for more than two weeks)!

As we left Nkungi yesterday, the village is getting chlorinated water at the secondary school. The main pump to the water tower is repaired. The windmill is repaired but the water line is broken.

The go-down has a 3-month supply of KAH meals on hand for Ilunda Ward. This will supplement the flooded crops, and the irrigation program can now be started at the secondary school.

The first teachers house is completed, the second is in the plumbing stage. The foundation was in for the two new class buildings, the farm building foundation was dug, and the acreage fenced in, the area for the girl's dorm was being prepared. Paul Dewey has taught the students to make rammed earth and concrete block for the building construction and many blocks have been made. Some scholarships for students have been paid and others are pending the teacher and village reports.

The mamas are busy making stoles and coffee pouches. Many more baskets have been purchased.

Letters have been delivered to the primary school, and the students are writing their reply.

More Swahili books are being purchased, and they are using books already given.

Today we await the Medical Team.

Thank you all for making these changes possible!