Three new women’s groups have started in 2025. They are at Inuka, Kikongo and Igombe.

99 women are involved. This brings the total number of groups facilitated by Busega Scotland to 17 with over 500 women participating (our estimate is that more than 2000 children will be in those families and will have their life chances improved).

Kikongo is interesting. The village is at one end of the John Pombe Magafuli Bridge that was completed in December 2024. It takes traffic west from the city of Mwanza to the gold mining area of Geita. Crossing part of Lake Victoria, the bridge is named after the previous president of Tanzania who died in 2021. The bridge is the longest in East Africa and the sixth longest on the continent at 3,200 metres.

One young person was from Mayega Children’s Centre was involved in the construction.

Mayega Children’s Centre has been granted a new piece of land by Mayega village to increase the size of our compound. The new land measures 50 x 22m.

The first task was to secure the area by shifting some existing fencing and adding more. Then, without being asked, Patron Isaak and Security Guard Michael set about levelling old sweet potato ridges and using just hoes. What an effort! It took them a week but now the children have a sports field.

Part of the land is destined for a new dormitory, and a project team has been established to progress the project. We have the skills in place but have the challenge of finding finance. Meanwhile the children are enjoying their new-found play space.

It was a tough year for seven Mayega Centre students. Four faced Form 4 national examinations and three their A-levels. Here is the Roll of Honour, as they all passed.

Agnes – accepted on a certificate course to become an early year’s teacher.

Big Emma – has started a diploma in science education.

Small Emma – has gained a certificate place in accounts and marketing.

Ibrahim – has started A-levels.

Johana – has a degree place studying computing.

Pascali – secured a degree course in environmental science and management.

Elizabeth – has the qualifications for a degree course and is awaiting a place.

The photos show Agnes starting her enrolment process and Johana on his final day of national service. He and Elizabeth were both selected for three months service. This is based on merit in personality and academic ability. Well done to both our ambassadors!

Once a month, staff and children at Mayega Children’s Centre get together for a day of fun and celebrations.

Most obviously, birthdays are celebrated, games are played, singing and dancing, and debates and discussions on important topics.

Our manager, Neema, pointed out the importance:

‘Our Family Day is another strategy that the Centre uses to make children feel important. It is done every last Saturday of each month. This is where staff members do sports and games with children, having talent shows, but also celebrating birthdays of the particular month, and recognise and provide incentives to those who done well in doing home chores, sports and academic. This helps to have active and positive friendly relationship between the two groups’.

Family Days are clearly having a positive effect in developing Mayega’s sense of family and in building up the confidence and esteem of the children.

For five days in September, Paul, Cenzo, John, Maura, Anne, Mark, Andy, Marion, Mike and Zoe tackled some or all of the Annandale Way. The walk is in Dumfries and Galloway and starts at the Devil’s Beef Tub near Moffat and ends at the Solway Coast. It was a particularly wet week, but the sun shone on the last day. The highlight – a golden eagle, mobbed by buzzards, flying above Annandale Head.

Hats off to Cenzo and John who completed the 56-mile route. If you would like to sponsor our team, please do so using the Donate Now page on the website.