Unfortunately not! The very healthy looking mahindi crop is in Letchworth Garden City in Hertfordshire. Christine and John are visiting family. English maize is used for cattle feed. In Tanzania, the grain is ground and used as ugi (a thin breakfast porridge) or ugari (a thicker paste served as a main meal with meat, fish and vegetables). Mahindi, wali (rice) and cassava are staples in the diet.

There was good news at the beginning of July when the World Bank declared Tanzania a ‘lower middle-income nation’. This move up from the ‘least developed’ category has come five years ahead of a schedule set-out in the National Development Vision.

This does not mean that Tanzanians are rich by any stretch of the imagination. Gross National Income is at $1,080 per capita (in UK it is $42,370). As with everywhere, there are great income disparities. Agriculture provides livelihoods for about 55% of the population and about 75% of poorest Tanzanians subsist in that sector.

Although economic growth has slowed due to the pandemic, the middle income classification will help with international economic credibility in attracting inward investment. The increased wealth allows additional spending on health, education, water and infrastructure projects.

There is further information in a Forbes Africa article ‘Tanzania Is Ahead Of Schedule’.

https://www.forbesafrica.com/brand-voice/2020/08/19/tanzania-is-ahead-of-schedule-under-magufuli/#:~:text=Despite%20the%20global%20COVID%2D19,%24622%20in%20the%20previous%20administration.

Work on new women’s groups has been suspended for the last four months due to the Corona virus situation in Tanzania. With the government now encouraging a return to more normal business, and with Busega Scotland’s Covid Action Plan in place, Julieth Godwin, our Assistant Project Leader, has begun to assess women in Igombe town and Mayega village.

We have had two groups before in Igombe but Mayega is a new location for our family support work. The aim is to  identify 30 women in each community, who have vulnerable family situations, and help with capital for their own Village Community Bank (VICOBA). The capital payment is about £700, made in three instalments, while Julieth checks that the funds are being well administered. The women can take loans to develop small businesses. The VICOBA capital grows from the interest paid. In effect, Busega Scotland kick starts mutual self-help.

Once the two new groups are in place, Busega Scotland will have supported 180 women across three different communities. In Mayega, the home of our Children’s Centre, we also have a water project and involvement in the primary school.

The photograph shows Julieth (on the left) meeting with Mayega Group Chairperson, Willemina Medadi, and the Village Executive Officer, Peter Irunda. The VEO is the government’s representative at village-level and will recommend women for assessment by Julieth.

The Kiltwalk is a programme of fundraising walks that normally occur in various locations across Scotland. Unfortunately, Covid has had an effect and the last walk of the year has become ‘virtual’. Here is a  message from the organisers:

‘On the weekend of the 11th – 13th September, the Edinburgh Kiltwalk is going Virtual! You can take on any Kiltwalk Inspired challenge you wish – go for a walk, a cycle, jump on a trampoline, or even a family scavenger hunt! Raise funds for your chosen charity and everything you raise will receive a 50% top up from The Hunter Foundation.’

The fundraising can go on anywhere, making it open to everybody.

Along with all other charities, Covid-19 is presenting Busega Scotland with unprecedented challenges; from keeping children safe in Tanzania, to raising enough funds to meet our commitments. The Kiltwalk is an excellent opportunity to help, have exercise and some fun.

You can register through

https://registration.everydayhero.com/ps/event/TheEdinburghKiltwalk2020

As part of your registration, you should nominate Busega Scotland as your chosen charity and, if you wish, be included on our Team page.

We really hope you can take part and support our work.

Please note:

1. Registration for the Kiltwalk costs; £12.80 for adults and £6.80 for children (aged 5-15 years)
2. If you’d just like to support Busega Scotland’s Kiltwalk team, it is possible to donate at

https://edinburghkiltwalk2020.everydayhero.com/uk/john-8

1. If you live in Moray we may be able to organise a group walk, Covid restrictions permitting
2. For more information contact John Carney through  [email protected] or on 07936383800

Please pass on this information to anyone you think maybe interested in joining the Virtual Kiltwalk.