What a Day!

I can't possibly describe today in a few words from my cel phone but I will try to hit the highlights. We visited Sabasaba Primary School where the new classroom is complete. They now have 900 students and six classroooms but they get by. We were treated like royalty. Then it was on to the Kayenze School where the borehole is intended to be. It was a bit disappointing to learn that it is not done but we saw the drill and the borehole should be there in about two weeks. After lunch we visited a new girl's dorm that will house 100 secondary school girls. Most are orphans and what a delightful group. It is amazing that they are so grounded considering what they have been through.
I will write more later when I have a real keyboard in front of me. The photo is at the preschool.

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Mwanza Day 1

Today we purchased school books with the help of Plan Tanzania staff in Mwanza. We couldn't have done it without them. The books in the photo represent 290,000 Tanzanian shillings.
Thanks to Barrhaven United Church Vacation Bible School and Jan and Keith Campbell for their support.

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Dar es Salaam

Met the staff from the Plan Tanzania office today to hear about the new project. It supports women and youth in setting up small buinesses through savings and loan programs. We visited a poor area of Dar to attend a meeting where participants were paying back or arranging for loans. Amazing to see it in action and well worthy of support. As a result the participants will become valuable members of their community. On to Mwanza tomorrow.

Leaving for Tanzania Tomorrow

Finally, we are off to Tanzania to see the classroom and well we have helped to fund.  Looking forward to meeting the kids and planting a tree at the new classroom.  I will also meet with Plan Tanazania about the new project. 

I will provide updates as and when internet access is available.  When we return, I will write the Epilogue for Kilimanjaro and Beyond and off it goes to publishing.  It seems like it has been a long time coming!

More Praise for Kilimanjaro and Beyond

This just in from Helen Osler, Australian author of Cameras of Kilimanjaro:

"Kilimanjaro and Beyond" is a testament to all of us that dreams can come true with a little grit and determination. If you're the kind of person who can usually find any excuse to talk yourself out of a great idea this book is the inspiration you need to get out of your comfort zone and make things happen. Kilimanjaro and Beyond is a very honest and detailed account of the trials and tribulations experienced while climbing Africa's highest peak. The most amazing part of this journey is that it wasn't just a selfish mission to stand at lofty heights but one which resulted in bringing clean water and education to hundreds of Tanzanian children. An inspiring read."

Check out Helen's website at:

http://www.porterphotoproject.com/

Less Than Two Weeks to Tanzania

In less than two weeks we will be on our way to Tanzania. The itinerary is being finalized but it involves attending to ceremony at the classrooms we helped to fund to watch the Canadian flag that we carried to Kili's peak being raised. A second part of the trip will be to meet with a family that is benefitting from the well we funded. Finally, we will discuss the next project with Plan Tanzania. It is all very exciting and very satisfying.

The Epilogue will be written when we return. By the way, Shannon Sungh, Development Coordinator for Plan Canada had this to say about the manuscript:

"The book is a really warm and inspiring story, and I think highlights perfectly how a couple of regular people can really accomplish something amazing."

Thank you Shannon!

Comments on Manuscript

Here is what Alysha Atma, African Affairs Correspondent for the Salem -News.com had to say about the manuscript:

"...honest, funny, very engaging and truly written from the heart."

Thank you Alysha!