Monthly Archives: December 2020

25.12.20 Improvements and Christmas at the Centre

Busega Scotland is committed to improving life at Mayega Children’s Centre. This happens in many different ways but listening to the children and experts is an important part.
We had advice from Busega District Council, and have consulted with the children and staff, to improve the diet and menu. Conclusions were shared at a Centre Meeting, with Tangu, one of our older girls, providing the information and explanation. The major change is that porridge at breakfast will be improved by introducing milk and the use of fortified flour (with a higher protein content).
We are expecting mains electricity to be connected up to the Centre any day. All fees have been paid and our wiring certified. The need for fire extinguishers will now be greater and we had a visit from the fire department. Following their recommendations, three extinguishers were bought and training provided to staff and children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The children visited the local town of Lamadi to buy kangas or kitenges for the girls and shorts for the boys. This was followed up with Christmas lunch, having bottles of soda as a treat. Our teacher, Reni, said the Christmas party was ‘amazing’! How we wished we could have been there.

 

24.12.20 : 2020 – a challenging but productive year

Here are the highlights:
None of our colleagues in Tanzania, or the children and young people we are responsible for, have been sick with Covid. We have an Action Plan in place to mitigate risks.
While the pandemic has prevented volunteers travelling to work in Tanzania, a positive consequence has been the increased responsibility taken by our Tanzanian staff.
Two new women’s groups have opened up with their own VICOBAs (village community banks) to help develop small businesses. We provide capital for the VICOBAs.
Much improvement and repair work has gone on at Mayega Children’s Centre. We are ready for mains electricity, have repaired windows, walls, plumbing system and the security fence – not glamorous but necessary.
Clear evidence of academic improvement for the Centre’s children (see the previous news item – Examination Success).
Two boys left Mayega and settled into life at college, training to be an electrician and welder.
The photograph shows Malesa in the welding shop at Nyakato College. Our Moving-on graduates are showing resilience and a great work ethic in finding jobs.
The Mayega Water Project has built toilets at Mayega Primary School, seven new water distribution points in the village (bringing the total number to 18) and is piloting a design for family toilets. The project benefited from Rotary Global Grant funding of $40,000 US.
The ownership of Mayega Children’s Centre passed to Busega District Council (BDC). We have a Memorandum of Understanding to run the Centre. This is a major step forward in assuring the Centre’s future.
Our work is well supported In Tanzania by the Council and other organisations. BDC provided capital to double the toilet capacity at the primary school, repaired the plumbing at the Children’s Centre and they are meeting two-thirds of the water bill.
There is much more to do in 2021 and we look forward to the many challenges that lie ahead.
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year,
Keep safe and thank you for your support,

22.12.20 Examination success

The educational attainment of children at Mayega Children’s Centre has been improving steadily over the last couple of years. This is due to a combination of factors.
We employ Teacher Reni. His time is shared between the Centre and Mayega Primary School. Reni is supported by Patron (male care worker) Emma, who is also a trained early years teacher. They are backed-up by Trustee Jenny Wallen, a retired teacher from Moray. Jenny has travelled twice to Mayega, working directly with the children, Reni, Emma and the School. At other times, Jenny keeps in touch online.
The school room at the Centre is well resourced and houses a library and has many worksheets. The teachers are  able to provide targeted support. This has built a learning culture and a belief amongst the children that they can succeed.
Recent exam results bear this out. Elizabeth was 9th in her 3rd year exams at Kalemela Secondary School. Her year has in excess of a hundred pupils and girls traditionally don’t do well.
Our four S7 primary pupils all passed their secondary school entrance exams (x3 B grades and a C). Ibrahim was the best performing pupil at Mayega and first in all the schools in Kalemela ward. The photos show the celebrations at the Centre,
In the latest Mayega Primary School exams all our eleven children came in the top half of their classes, with some remarkable results. Two came first, three second, two seventh, one ninth, one fifteenth, one thirty-fifth and one seventy-seventh,
Congratulations to the pupils and their teachers.

11.12.20 Groups up and running

The covid pandemic slowed progress in setting up our 2020 women’s groups. But you can’t keep Busega Scotland down for long. We are delighted to report that the VICOBAs (village community banks) have received the first installments of capital in the villages of Isanzu and Mayega. This is the third group we have supported in or near the town of Igombe and the Mayega group is our debut in that village.
Busga Scotland’s commitment is £25 per woman paid in three installments. The first installment is paid after monitoring the progress of a group for 3 months. This includes checking payments by the women into their Afya (health) Fund and the General Fund, to get the VICOBA going. The Afya is to help cover medical costs for members’ families and the General Fund provides business development loans. The VICOBA grows through interest on the loans and by further payments for afya and into general savings. After twelve months, if all is going well, Busega Scotland withdraws and the groups become independent. All the capital in the VICOBA belongs to the women members.
The VICOBA balances for the two groups were as follows, when the first payments were made by Busega Scotland:
Isanzu – 32 women –  Afya Fund £40 & General Fund £120
Mayega – 31 women – Afya Fund £32 & General Fund £120
Our 2020 Christmas Appeal is open to raise funds for a group next year (please scroll down to the article on 21 11 20 Sharing Christmas). It is possible to donate online through the Donate Now button on the website.