Kids like shopping and the children and young people from Mayega are no exception. It was a Christmas treat to travel to the shops and market in Lamadi (5 miles from the Children’s Centre) and buy clothes and sandals. Busega Scotland believes that it is important to offer these experiences as part of growing-up; children like to have some money to spend, choose what they wear and to look nice. These opportunities are not open to all families in Tanzania.

The wear and tear on sandals is particularly hard, as the children walk over rough and sandy ground. We have to replace footwear regularly and as with ‘parents’ everywhere there is a struggle between what are ‘sensible shoes’ and what are stylish. As with most such encounters worldwide there is usually only one winner! Sensible shoes are reserved for school! We are thankful for small mercies.