Moray Swing Band did Busega Scotland proud again at a very enjoyable night in Elgin. The concert raised £327. Thanks to the band members, organisers and the audience for making it a night to remember. 

We have had another highly successful fortnight at our pop-up charity shop in the Moray coastal town of Lossiemouth. The total sales reached £1355 and a little more is expected. All the proceeds will go towards the work in Tanzania, as both weeks attracted shop rent sponsors. Sales ranged from clothes, tea services, an oak television cabinet and a silver cross buggy! How good are our sales volunteers!?! The shop provides a useful service for local people and in recycling merchandise. Many thanks to sponsors, donors, volunteers, shoppers and to shop manager, Chris Petrie (her daughter Mel also allows us the use of her garage as a warehouse!).

Footnote – the charity that followed us into the shop was another African charity that supports people in Sierra Leone. It is also based in John and Christine’s home village of Garmouth (population 600).

First time Busega Scotland volunteer , Judy Campbell is pictured carefully packing , re-packing and re-packing again her 40 kg of luggage heading for Tanzania. When hand luggage was added in the total exceeded 50kg, in three roller cases. How do you roll three cases with only two arms? Answer ……. Ask Judy.

More evidence that Judy is not very good at maths……. one of her carefully weighed 20kg cases tipped the scales at 24kg at Inverness Airport.  Tanzania awaits her arrival!

A team calling themselves the “Golfers” won the Garmouth quiz with an excellent score of 58 points out of a possible 65. The event was very well supported with 14 teams of 4 competing .   Booby prizes went to the “Glaykits”. To save any embarrassment I will not reveal their score but even they said they had a fun evening and were happy to support Busega Scotland.  As always the Garmouth Hotel was very welcoming and we thank Jody and Grant for donating raffle prizes as well as making the venue and sound system available to us. Thanks to Jenny Wallen for organising the event, our Quiz Master Rob Wallen for keeping the crowd under control and helpers Jenny Ebdy and Trish Goodchild .

Christine and John travelled into deepest Aberdeenshire to talk about the work of Busega Scotland at the Skene Murray Mission. The mission has been operating in a quaint little hall for the last 110 years and it has no running water.  A computer malfunction meant the congregation were spared a Power Point presentation but not the numerous Tanzanian anecdotes so loved by audiences all over the North East of Scotland!  John also had the pleasure of a conversation with a Belgian lady about the despotic activities of King Leopold in the Congo. Not often that happens between Banff and Huntly!

Prior to the Sunday evening service the Carneys were treated to a traditional farmhouse tea by Malcolm and Marilynne Johns.

Thanks go the congregation for their warm welcome and a  very generous donation of £150.  John and Christine have promised to return in the New Year with the latest updates from Tanzania.

Read all about it!

Robin and Debbie Hill returned to Tanzania  in September 2017 .   Please click on our Volunteers page to read their reflections or follow this link .

Volunteers

Roadside repairs were needed to the delivery lorry taking supplies to the Children’s Centre from Mwanza City. This was Busega Scotland’s regular 4 monthly delivery. We always use the same lorry and driver  as they have proved reliable.

For some of the new children at Mayega this was the first time they have welcomed such an enormous amount of food and other goods.

The children are too small to unload many of the items but carry what they can to the store room where Matron overseas matters.

As well as food, the lorry brings soap powder,  toilet disinfectant, toothpaste and brushes, shoe polish etc. This time there were a couple of new mattresses added to the load.

Everyone is happy when the lorry arrives! Local officials regularly visit the centre and ask to see the store room. Mayega staff and children get nervous when supplies are low. People here are used to food shortages. Newly admitted  children often eat to burst and I am always surprised at what they can consume. They have learned at a very young age that you eat as much as you can when food is available because there might be none tomorrow.  It takes a while for them to relax and realise that they do not go to bed hungry at Mayega. Thank you to all our supporters who make this possible

      On Thursday 21st September, Rev Deuli learned that the building housing the Holy Trinity Church, Mwanza(Charismatic Episcopal Church of Tanzania) was to be demolished imminently. For the past two years there had been talk of this happening. A new dual carriageway road is being constructed to link Mwanza airport with the city. The building was in the way. For several years the congregation had worshipped on the top floor of the Star Times Building. The owner allowed them to use the premises free of charge and the views from the roof level where they met were stunning. The city opened up below on the edge of Lake Victoria and you were at eye level with the Kites as they soared looking for their prey.

On Saturday 23rd September the building was demolished leaving the congregation homeless. The church had welcomed the Moving On students from Mayega and nurtured them in the city as well as making Busega Scotland volunteers welcome. This is what Robin and Debbie said ,” We will look back with happy memories of the welcome we always received when meeting with you and your parishioners.  We hope you will take strength from all your friends here in  the UK. We know the new church will take shape soon”.

The congregation is very poor but a piece of land has been purchased and they hope to find the means to build a church. Meanwhile they are looking for a place to worship.

The Busega Scotland charity shop is up and running and will be open until 6^th October, excluding Sundays. This is the third year of operation and it has become a centrepiece of our fundraising effort. As ever, we have had an amazing number of donations from supporters and our shop manager, Chris Petrie, has a full rota of assistants in place. Set up was attended by Sue Taylor, Ruth McIntosh, George Petrie and John, with three generations of the Petrie family helping; Chris, Mel and young Aoife. Lets hope for some good weather to bring out the customers but whatever happens we are bound to have some fun. If you are in the Lossiemouth area please call in. We are open from 10am to 4pm, and can be found on Queen St.

Due to circumstances beyond the band’s control the concert has been postponed until 20^th October. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

The following information still applies:

The Swing Band and friends are making a welcome return to the 8 Acres Hotel in October, for their second concert supporting Busega Scotland.

The first concert was a superb success musically. The band plays foot tapping jazz and swing music.  We are also expecting our Ghanaian friend Brother Suleiman to be back with his African drums. He was standout performer last time and not to be missed.

We are delighted to say that Christies Parks Ltd., who operate the caravan park in Fochabers, are our event sponsors. This means that all funds raised on the night can be used for the work in Tanzania. Many thanks to Gordon Christie for his kindness.

Please attend the concert if you can.  Any raffle prize donations will be most welcome.

How about making the concert a ‘works night out’ and adding to what will be a superb atmosphere.