The new academic year in Tanzania starts in January and there is a flurry of activity at Mayega Children’s Centre. Writing books, pens and pencils etc. are bought in bulk and the children head to the local town of Lamadi for school uniform. Our four new secondary school pupils have to take their own desk and chair!

A raft of national examination results came in January. Of our three pupils in Form 2 of secondary school, one got overall Division 1 and two had Division 2. They were 7^th, 13^th and 14^th of 174 candidates in their school. At the primary school, two S4 pupils got Grade B and were 3 and 8 in their class of 109 pupils. These are unbelievable results and a great testimony to the work of our teachers, especially in the March to July school closure period due to Covid.

It is always a bittersweet moment when a new child arrives at the Centre. It is sad that a new arrival needs our care but positive that life chances are immediately enhanced. The child is sure of a warm welcome and encouragement from the other children. Tumaini is 6 years old, and from a village near to Mayega. Karibu sana, Tumaini!

Tumaini is the first child to arrive after the Centre was connected to mains electricity.

This happened on Christmas Eve. We are now a fully serviced site. Mains and solar electricity, piped water with storage facilities and waste disposal through septic tanks. It has been a long haul but we made it!