Author Archives: christinecarney

3.1.25 Special guests

For the second year in a row, Mayega Children’s Centre has received good wishes and gifts presented on behalf of the President of Tanzania, Hon. Dr. Samia Saluhu Hassan.
The head of Bariadi District, Simon Simalenga, addressed the children and handed over the gifts, including 20kg of sugar, 50kg of flour, 50kg of rice, 10l of cooking oil, three bags of soap, 10 cartons of juice, and 4 goats.
Mr Simalenga said that children are a gift from God, and it is the responsibility of all sections of society to protect children, keep them safe, and to ensure they feel valued. The gifts are for the children to enjoy in celebrating the New Year of 2025.
The messages we receive from our friends in Mayega village and Busega District Council is that they are proud of the Children’s Centre, and are happy to bring special guests to visit. The Centre is honoured to receive them.
A report of the visit was carried on the national Sibuka FM website.

https://radiotadio.co.tz/sibukafm/2024/12/31/3326/

2.1.25 A little less glamorous

Plenty of exciting things have happened recently at Mayega Children’s Centre – a Christmas party, special visitors, and outstanding school examination results.
But Mayega is a harsh environment, and repairs and maintenance are an ongoing demand.
Lately, the biggest problems have been rotting roof timbers in the dormitory roof, part of the security fence falling over, and water damage from roof leaks.
We are very fortunate to have supporters prepared to help us fund repairs and improvements, and this time around they cost around £800.
The photos show the restored roof, a frame for the fence post, and a ceiling repair.
Not 2025’s most exciting photos but reassuring nevertheless.

15.12.24 Mutual Support

Christine and John spent a very productive evening recently with Nanette and Vic, talking over experiences of work in Tanzania and India.
The striking common factors were the challenging ‘downs’, and inspiring ‘ups’, that characterise both journeys. Resilience is needed, and persistence pays.
Nanette and Vic are the founders of Friends of MGF India program. They support, and have helped develop, a feeding station that now feeds 80 widows and children, on a nightly basis, in the village of Kamuru. In addition, there is a study centre to help children with education, as many parents are illiterate. A sponsorship scheme funds some youngsters through college.
While Friends of MGF and Busega Scotland have responded differently to their situations, the common factor confronting both are the effects of poverty. Both organisations do what they can, and are indebted to their supporters making that possible.
John and Christine thank Nanette and Vic for the friendship, wise counsel, their special greeting, and delicious Indian food.
Friends of MGF program has a Facebook page.

10.12.24 First undergraduate

Tangu is the first young person from Mayega Children’s Centre to gain a place at university. She is studying population and rural development in Tanzania’s capital, Dodoma.
This is a wonderful achievement for Tangu, and the Centre; the care staff, teacher Reni, and Mayega ‘brothers and sisters’, who have nurtured her progress. It also provides inspiration for the younger ones.
We have three youngsters studying A levels, four who have just done Form 4 examinations, and four children who are proceeding from primary to secondary school (this is based on examination performance).
The challenge for Mayega children is illustrated in the words of a Form 4 girl:
‘I have nobody to rely on (outside the Centre), even my aunt can’t help, so I’m working hard on my studies to be in a better better position, considering I have a little brother out there’.
Powerful words.

10.12.24 Stuck

I don’t think we have reported on the septic tank at Mayega Children’s Centre before. It has not really been a news item.
The tank is at the back of the dormitory building. It now needs cleaning out, and the Rural Sanitation and Water Authority (RUWASA) sent their tanker.

It is the rainy season, and Mayega is sandy. There was perhaps an inevitability about what happened, and it took from 8am to 4pm to dig the vehicle out. RUWASA will come back when the ground is drier. Let’s hope for a better outcome.
Life at Mayega is not without its challenges.

10.12.24 Group joy

The payment of grants to women’s groups facilitated by Busega Scotland is a matter of great excitement. It represents an opportunity for the women to develop their small businesses and provide for their families. This is a real partnership, as group members use their vicoba (credit union) for savings and to hold loan interest. Their capital grows rapidly.
The photos show the Tumaini group receiving their first grant, and Kalwande their second.
Some facts and figures. In 2024:
Our three new groups are supporting over ninety women.
The cost of the project is £2940 or £30 per family
The project is funded by the efforts of supporters in Edinburgh
Many thanks to everyone involved, including our workers on the ground in Tanzania – Julieth, Henry and Mr Kagezi.

9.12.24 Upskilling

When Busega Scotland became involved with Mayega Children’s Centre in 2014, the staff only had primary education. It was clear that to provide the best possible care of the children, in all its facets, we needed greater expertise. This has been a progressive exercise, recruiting staff with both residential child care experience and formal qualifications.

We now have three graduates working at the Centre, a teacher and two social workers. The latest recruit is Asteria Benedicto, a social worker who has become our Head of Care. She will work alongside Neema Stephen, the Centre Manager, who has described their task.

‘The love and hard work (of staff) helps the children to become good people and fulfil their dreams and become important individuals in our society’.

We welcome Asteria and wish her well in her new post.

 

24.8.24 Tumaini means Hope

Busega Scotland has just started its third women’s group in Mayega village, with thirty members.
We feel it is important to support the Mayega community in different ways. The Children’s Centre provides local employment, we have worked with partners in establishing a piped village water supply, and approaching one hundred families, in total, are being supported through the women’s groups.
Our project supervisor, Julieth Godwin, assesses potential members, and in their first formal meeting the group leaders sign a contract with Busega Scotland setting out expectations. The contract has evolved over the years and has become helpful a guidance document. All groups need a constitution, and three office bearers; chairwoman, treasurer and secretary.
Signing the contract is a big moment. The Tumaini group had the Mayega village chairman, Mr Mabirika, in attendance. He is a great supporter of Busega Scotland’s work.

24.8.24 New appointments

Things have been changing a bit at Mayega Children’s Centre.
We have lost our Project Leader Gadlord Deuli, and Security Guard Nethanel Lushinila. Pastor Deuli has retired, and Nethanel is going to train as a pastor.
When some doors close then others open, and we are delighted to welcome Asteria Benedicto as our new Head of Care, and Michael Zakayo in the security post. Both appointees have a great deal of experience in their respective roles.
It is interesting to look at the staff gender balance at the Centre. We have 10 workers and eight are women. The senior management team is two women and one man. We have four fluent English speakers – two women and two men.
In what is a patriarchal society, the Centre needs good role models for the girls. Our Centre Manager is a woman, as is the District Commissioner for Busega, and the Executive Director at the District Council. But most importantly, the first young person from the Centre to go to university is female.