John and Christine heard on Saturday morning that Busega Scotland’s Family Support supervisor in Igombe had been involved in an accident on his motorbike. Mr Kagezi was admitted to the main Bugando Hospital in Mwanza, where it was discovered that he had broken both the tibia and fibula in his right leg. He was then transferred home and John has been to see him. As well as the broken bones, there is a wound in his right shin and he is getting daily visits from his local Igombe hospital. We wish Mr Kagezi well as he starts his sick leave and hope for a speedy recovery.

John also met members of Igombe’s second Busega Scotland women’s group, called Tusaidiane (in English ‘ to help each other’). The group currently has 11 members and 7 were present, with the absentees at a funeral. The group has so far received £95 capital into their vicoba (credit union or informal bank)  from Busega Scotland and the women have been taking loans to grow their businesses and for family expenditure. The loans have varied from £2 to £14, with an average of about £8. In addition, the women contribute small amounts to the vicoba every week and have so far saved £80 between them. When this is added to the capital and loan interest their savings are growing well.

6 more women will join the group in June and as well as receiving the normal grant of £45 each, a total of £50 will be added on their behalf to the vicoba capital. This model allows women to establish their businesses initially, and then take loans to grow them further. The current Tusaidiane members sell fish, fruit, firewood, gravel and charcoal.

Julieth Godwin, Busega Scotland’s Assistant Project Leader, supports the group with training, which has so far concentrated on health issues – malaria, cholera, HIV, clean water and basic hygiene. The women are keen to learn and to develop their curriculum further.

John and Christine made a visit to the Children’s Centre on Saturday and received the usual kind reception. There is a very good family atmosphere, with the new children (they have been there quite a while now) having integrated well.

The youngsters are familiar with their Saturday routine and soon broke up into their school groups – the little ones with Julieth and the older ones with Seba. No children milling about and wasting time – all focused and engaged.

The most noticeable change at the Centre is the garden. Now fenced and in production. There are many types of vegetables in different stages of maturity. Mchicha is already being served at dinner – it is like spinach and much liked by the children. There are also cucumbers, tomatoes. aubergines, beans, maize and sugar cane on the way.

The soil has definitely benefited from planting leguminous jack beans and a top dressing of cow manure but, of course, the availability of piped water is the clincher. The next step is to get a hose pipe to make watering easier – the garden is 25 by 15m. Julieth made an interesting observation; how much taller, greener and healthier our maize looks compared to our neighbours. Our garden soil is being regenerated, as the land in Mayega has generally been overworked.

As well as working with the staff in the garden, the children will now have netball and volleyball to look forward to. Combined posts have been made locally, and are weighed down by cement in a car tyre!

Small steps are being taken at Mayega but progress is certainly being made.

We are sad to have learned that one of Mwanza’s great characters passed away on Wednesday 2^nd May. Baba John was a security guard at the Shaloom compound, where John and Christine stay while in Tanzania. He retired last year.

Never without a smile on his face, Baba he was incredibly friendly and helpful. He and our John gloried in sharing the same name – not just John but Baba also (meaning Father).

One small anecdote shows the kind and considerate man he was. A couple of years ago, at about 11pm, a car smashed through the gates of the Shaloom compound, demolishing part of the wall in the process. In the noise and commotion Baba took charge and ushered John and Christine back into the house, he told us to close the curtains and lock the door. Baba stood guard, armed with his panga, on our front step. At that stage nobody knew what was going on and only later did it emerge that it was a drink driving incident. Baba was taking no chances.

We will miss Baba and are happy to have known him. As is traditional, he will be buried in his home village in Mara Region, near the Kenyan border.

RIP Baba John.