It is the half way point for this autumn’s charity shop in Lossiemouth. The first week has been very beneficial in financial terms, with sales amounting to £820. All our volunteers are amazed by the generosity of people donating stock. Quite literally, we can have more to sell at the end of the day than at the beginning. We provide a very useful service to customers, and in recycling still serviceable items.

However, the highlights of each day come from chatting to folk visiting the shop. Volunteer Mike McClafferty met a retired PE teacher, who used to teach at his secondary school in Glasgow. One couple asked if we had a coat for their dog who was feeling the cold. No coat, but a particularly small t-shirt seemed to fit the bill.

Angus visited with his mum and dad. Our ‘toy department’ fascinated him and he settled down with the book ‘What the ladybird heard’. Shortly afterwards, we sold an ice axe to a photographer who buys his props in charity shops. Somewhat worryingly, he said it would be useful for Halloween photos!

Our favourite story, is of a little girl who arrived with her dad and asked if we had anything she could use as a hammock for her rat (the rat having ‘eaten’ the previous one)? No hammock, but a  beret will be pressed into service. However, the general consensus was that the delinquent Mr or Mrs Rat will eat this also!!

The Busega Scotland pop-up charity shop in Lossiemouth is now open for the next two weeks and in its fourth consecutive year. For the first time, the shop has a specific fundraising focus – to meet the costs of Shida’s ongoing eye treatment. The shop takings will be added into the ‘Shida fund’, and a special appeal is accompanying the sales.

We are pleased to report that, as previously, the shop rental costs have been met by a kind donation. This means that all shop profits will go towards Shida’s treatment.

Setting-up is always an exciting time and a bit of worry, in seeing if we have enough stock. This year, as in previous years, our supporters have come up trumps and we expect more items will arrive over the two weeks. Our local newspaper, the Northern Scot, published details of the shop, and we thank them for that.

Thanks also go to Mel, Chris and Jenny for setting-up and the other volunteers who will serve our many customers to promote the work of Busega Scotland.

Busega Scotland has worked with four women’s groups to start vicobas (maybe better known as credit unions). The concept is for Busega Scotland to provide initial capital in instalments, the women take loans for their small businesses and pay back the capital and interest. Busega Scotland supports and monitors the early management of the vicobas Eventually they become independent and the sole responsibility of the women members. One group in Igombe became independent last year, another Igombe vicoba is developing and the two vicobas in Chole are in their development phase.

Earlier this month, Julieth Godwin, Assistant Project Leader for Busega Scotland, reported on the developing groups and they are showing healthy capital growth. The Igombe group capital has grown by 165% since January, Chole 1 has had a growth of 153% since March 2017 and Chole 2 361% growth since January. Julieth also reported her confidence in the management of the groups, and the positive impact the vicobas are having.

The next newsletter will focus on our Family Support Projects in Igombe and Chole.

This article is about the courage and resilience of two young people supported by Busega Scotland.

First, there is Shida. She is 9 years old and arrived at Mayega Children’s Centre earlier this year with extremely limited sight. Second, there is Monica. A couple of months ago, our Mayega graduate and member of the Moving-on Project, had a very serious accident while cooking. She was burnt and scalded. Both young people have had spells in hospital.

Shida has just returned to Mayega after her second 1000 mile round trip to the Kilimanjaro Medical Centre. This resulted in the third operation on her most damaged eye – she was in the operating theatre for 3.5 hours. Initial indications are that her distance vision has improved. She will go back in October for a check-up and hopefully treatment on the other eye.

Monica was hospitalised in Mwanza for her treatment, on what were very painful injuries. She is a second year student at Nyakato College, studying domestic electrical installation. She has recently returned to her studies but problems with one of her wounds has necessitated a further hospital visit.

Both girls are incredibly brave.

The cost of Shida’s very specialist treatment, travel and subsistence is likely to exceed £1500 – an expense that we had not anticipated. Busega Scotland’s fundraising events up to Christmas will focus on Shida but if any supporter wants to make a personal contribution then this can be done through the website.

Last November, Peter Hagenbuch walked 50 miles in one day to raise funds for Busega Scotland and other charities! If that wasn’t support enough, Peter is part of a bluegrass and folk group called Albakirkie. The band played on our behalf at West Calder Senior Citizens Club. The club donated £160 and this will be passed on to us. Peter’s employers have also added another £100!

We would love to have Albakirkie play for us in Moray. They live 200 miles away but you never know!

Closer to home, there will be a folk night at Garmouth and Kingston Golf Club on 13^th October, as a ‘Shindig for Shida’. Shida is the 9 year old girl at Mayega Children’s Centre who has serious sight problems requiring specialised hospital treatment. The musicians at the concert will be from the Moray area and we are looking forward to a very special evening.

The generosity of folk in giving their time and talent to help our work in Tanzania is quite remarkable. Thanks also go to the ladies and gentlemen of West Calder.