There was plenty to celebrate at Mayega Children’s Centre on 7th June.

We had received confirmation that two of our Form 4 students had been allocated further education places by the Government. Ibrahim will study A level at Mbweniteta Secondary School in Dar es Salaam (History, Kiswahili and English) and ‘big’ Emma (Emmanuel) will go to Tukuyu Teachers College near the Zambian border to study Chemistry and Mathematics. Well done to both of them.

In addition, Form 6 students Elizabeth and Johana have been selected for 3 months national service in the army on the basis of their character and academic ability. Congratulations – this is an honour for them.

Also, it was the last visit to the Centre from our Scottish visitors – so, of course, party time! Sports, singing, dancing and a meal. Mixed emotions all around.

Our Scottish visitors Andy, Anne, Maura and Mark visited women’s groups in Kalwande, Lugezini, Inuka, and Mayega. These were very special moments for our friends and for group members as well.

Greetings were exchanged, and most flamboyantly by the women, with ululation, singing, and dancing. Universally, group leaders said how much being a member has benefitted the women, both financially (through the vicoba or group savings bank) and socially through the solidarity of the members.

The visits were arranged by our project co-ordinator, Julieth. The visitors expressed their admiration for her work and for the women’s progress. Maura and Mark have taken responsibility within Busega Scotland for raising funds for the groups and the plan is to start three new ones every year (involving approximately 100 women).

In a troubled world where so many people ask ‘what can I do to make a difference?’, the groups are a prime example of what person to person support can achieve. We can’t change the world but we can make a difference – that being the essence of Busega Scotland.

John and Christine’s visit to Tanzania had a somewhat different focus this year. There was the usual staff development work and training but Busega Scotland trustees asked that the following be inspected.

The administration of the Family Support Project (women’s groups)

At Mayega Children’s Centre:

Record keeping

Implementation of new job descriptions and working practices

Financial administration

Reports have been prepared and will be presented at the next meeting of Busega Scotland trustees. Inspection is part of the Future Shape plan to increase operational responsibility at the Centre, and for this to be monitored and scrutinised by John and Christine, on behalf of trustees..

There will be full article on the 2025 inspection in the next edition of our newsletter, Nyumba Moja.

One of the recent changes at the Mayega is to make working practices more flexible. The photos show Caregiver Michael, who has special responsibility for security at the Centre, also working in the garden with one of the boys. All staff have welcomed this flexible approach and it has been backed-up by training to emphasise it’s importance.

Busega Scotland welcomed experienced social workers, Maura, Mark, Anne, and Andy to Tanzania in June. To experience the wonderful country and as a working visit.

A highlight was the training carried out for staff at Mayega Children’s Centre. It blended child care knowledge and experience from two continents and working cultures. There was much sharing and mutual learning plus fun and laughter. Language is no barrier when there is a common cause!

A diverse range of topics was covered including team working, models of care and self-evaluation. John and Christine had previously offered refresher training on safeguarding and responding to risk.

It is no exaggeration to say that our visitors were mightily impressed by what they saw at Mayega. The understanding of staff towards the needs of the children, the positive interactions, and the contentment of the children, being highlights.

There will be more about the visit to the Centre in the next edition of our newsletter, Nyumba Moja.

This may not be a Tanzanian proverb but it’ll do! It emphasises patience and perseverance.

22nd May was a special day at Mayega Children’s Centre. There was a visit from the village land committee and a representative from the local court service. There was nothing wrong. The court had first use of land adjacent to Centre that we had applied to use.

A letter confirming a transfer had been received at the Centre but the visitors were tasked with confirming the land boundary. After a follow-up meeting of the village council, the bit we need was finally granted.

It’s an extension of the existing garden that will allow the building of a separate boys dormitory, and to re-purpose their original space as a dining /function room. The girls dormitory will also be upgraded. Importantly, it allows the boys and girls dormitories to be in separate buildings.

It has been a long time waiting for the land allocation but after several false starts it is over the line. All Busega Scotland needs to do now is to raise the capital for the project (that will also include a small orchard). Patience and perseverance, we think, will need to be renewed.

A group of self-funding volunteers from Scotland are due to visit Mayega Children’s Centre in June. The child care social work experience possessed by the group is enormous.

In the photograph, that was not taken in Africa (!), are Andy, Mark, Anne and Maura. Andy and Anne being senior managers at City of Edinburgh Council, and Mark and Maura, professor and lecturer at Dundee University. Mark’s specialty is residential child care.

A lot of preparatory work has been undertaken with Mayega to refine the visitors remit and relevance, as they aim to develop the capabilities of the staff at the Centre. That is underpinned by Neema and Asteria being Tanzanian social work graduates.

The quality and depth of the discussions will be so rewarding for all concerned, as they mix their knowledge, skills and experiences gained from two different social work cultures. More red letter days for Mayega!

If we were asked, ‘what has been the biggest impact of Busega Scotland at Mayega Children’s Centre ?’, our answer would surely be ‘educational attainment beyond all expectations’.

But, of course, Busega Scotland only provides the potential to improve the children’s lives, it is the staff that make the difference. High up on the list of ‘Mayega heroes’ must be Renidius Willbrand.

Known affectionately as ‘Mwalimu (Teacher) Reni’, he has supported the children in their educational progress and their growing belief that that they can succeed. Passing exams is the norm now, and that was not previously the case.

Good things do come to an end, but this cloud really does have a silver lining. Reni has been appointed to a government teaching post in the south of Tanzania. This is the best next step for his career, and future security. We will miss him greatly, but are delighted and wish him all the best.

The search for his successor is underway. We have to maintain educational continuity.

It may seem a little odd to be celebrating graduation before you have received your final results. However, in Tanzania, there are  good reasons for doing this and the graduation ceremony is a big event.

A-level students attend boarding schools, and once their final examinations are over they quickly disperse. So, the graduation ceremony is really a celebration of completing the course and being ready to sit the exams.

Elizabeth’s school celebrations occurred on 20th February, and Mayega staff joined her. One photo shows Leya, our matron, who has cared for Elizabeth for many years. There is also the cake, to be shared amongst classmates, and a ‘well done’ gift.

We hope Elizabeth will gain qualifications to enter university, as she would like to study social sciences. She is a credit to herself, the Children’s Centre, and an inspiration to the younger children.