Author Archives: christinecarney

First Drouthy Quiz Night of 2017

 
Busega Scotland will be returning to the Drouthy Cobbler in Elgin for a Quiz Night on 17th February.  Our previous quizzes at the Drouthy have been great fun, with a big demand for tickets. If you would like to attend then please email busegascotland@gmail.com  or ring John on 07936 383800.
Donations of raffle prizes would be most appreciated.
The event is to raise funds for our Moving-on Project, that supports young people who have left the Mayega Children’s Centre. We have ten young people in college at present doing vocational courses – motor mechanics, domestic electrical, primary teaching and secretarial studies.
We very much look forward to seeing you for a great night out at the Drouthy.

17.1.17 Guest House plans taking shape

Reserved ParkingFor the first time in his life John had a designated parking spot,  for his visit to Moray  College to meet computer aided design students, along with fellow trustee Colin Sanders. Visitors to the Mayega Children’s Centre cannot stay overnight or for extended periods. Mayega staff think that this is a major disadvantage and Busega Scotland agree. John prepared a brief and gave a talk to the students on the type of building we require and they will use their skills to prepare plans. This is part of assessed course work, so is in line with Busega Scotland’s objective to give back to the community of Moray. The students and their lecturers were incredibly enthusiastic. They have asked for follow-up information that will be gathered by Arnold and Valerie Barrow during their trip to Tanzania. This is team work!

Uni Highlands and Islands

 

10.1.17 Turning Point Smarties Tube Collection

Using Smarties tubes to collect 20 pence pieces is a great way to support Busega Scotland. That is just what Scott Meredith and his team at Turning Point Scotland have been doing in Elgin. John was happy to go along and meet the team and receive their kind donation of £101.75.

If any other work or  group wishes to take part in a similar collection please contact us for further details.

busegascotland@gmail.com

 

23.12.16 Christmas Shopping

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.

 

 

 

19.12.16 Boost for Igombe Vicoba

Busega Scotland was happy to add capital to the Igombe Women’s Group vicoba scheme. The closest Scottish equivalent to a vicoba is a credit union. The women in the Igombe group have received business grants from Busega Scotland, as part of our Family Support Project. They pay modest amounts from their profits into the vicoba and then lend money to each other, to develop their enterprises or to meet unexpected family costs. Interest is charged on the loans and this is eventually shared out by members as a boost to incomes.
Busega Scotland had examined the operation of the group and found it to be working well (see news item on 051216 ‘Capital investment at Igombe’). As a result, John attended the women’s meeting at Igombe to present £130 to chairwoman, Stella Ndallo. This was added to the £43 already saved into the vicoba. Julieth Godwin, Assistant Project Leader, explained in detail the agreement reached between Busega Scotland and the group’s leaders.
The women are interested in establishing a co-operative business but are at in the early stages of thinking this through. It would be good if Busega Scotland could provide support, if a satisfactory business plan can be developed.

19.12.16 Education matters

Education is a priority for Busega Scotland and for the children and young people at Mayega Children’s Centre. It could be described as ‘the’ priority but admitting new children and establishing a piped water supply are also critical.
The education issue has two parts.
Firstly, we need to improve the attainment of the younger children, concentrating on basics such as use of English and proficiency in Mathematics. There will be interviews, and appointment of a ‘Saturday teacher’ early in January. A job description has been written by trustee Jenny Wallen, emphasising an individualised learning plan for each child. Assessments in English and Swahili have already been undertaken by education consultant Sebahene Amon and student teacher Ester Stephano  (one of our Mayega graduates).
Secondly, for our oldest young people their school careers are over and Busega Scotland supports vocational education through the Moving-on Project. There are currently seven students in college and 2017 will see three more placed. One is confirmed for motor mechanics at Kalwande Training College, and interviews will occur on 3rd January for two other places, in motor mechanics and domestic electrical at Nyakato Vocational Training Centre , Mwanza. We hope the interviews go well. It is essential for young people to get practical training when they do poorly in their school leaving exams. Without marketable skills future prospects can be bleak.

18.12.16 A real honour.

It was with great joy and pride that John and Christine were invited to a baptismal service at Rev Deuli’s church on Sunday 18th December. Three children were being baptised, including Jenabel, the daughter of Emiliana (Gadlord and Jane Deuli’s firstborn). Emmy had asked us if we would be willing to be Jenabel’s godparents and we were delighted to accept.
The previous week we had all been worried about Jena, as she had suffered an asthma attack and a bout of malaria. As you can see she is now fit and well, and happy to be carried around Tanzanian style by Christine! The baptism was followed by a celebratory meal, attended by all the congregation. A great time was had by all!
 Rev Deuli is the Busega Scotland Project Leader and a pastor in the Charismatic Episcopal Church of Tanzania.


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15.12.16 Chole Family Support Project – we finally made it!

Our second Family Support Project is underway in Chole. It is a partnership with the Chole Women’s Group and a Tanzanian NGO, called CODEHAF. The planning has taken a while, with CODEHAF supporting the women in a communal garden, growing cash crops. Busega Scotland is financing a vicoba (credit union), that will provide loans for
the women to develop their family businesses. There are 35 families in the Chole project, and an initial capital sum of £130 has been donated. This will rise to £370 if the project progresses well. The funding is from the ‘Walk Moray for Busega’ sponsored walk, that occurred in September.
 Chole is quite remote and getting there is not easy. Digging the vehicle out of the sand is part of the experience!
The women meet in a small project building, that they have constructed, and group chairwoman, Marianna James, received the Busega Scotland contribution from Julieth Godwin, our Assistant Project Leader, who has responsibility for the Chole project. We wish the women well in their endeavours.

14.12.16 All spick and span!

 

When we first encountered the ‘second building’ at Mayega we thought it was derelict, rather than​ being partly constructed! Undeterred, and through various fundraising efforts, we were able to complete the building and install solar power. The community room (that doubles as a dining room) has become a focal point of Mayega life, with many activities taking place there.
In the near future it will also become a classroom, when we appoint our ‘Saturday teacher’ to help improve the educational attainment of the children. In order to ensure that classes take place in a bright and cheerful environment the building has been painted inside and out.
The final step is to install a whiteboard and this should be completed when Arnold and Valerie Barrow visit Mayega early in the New Year.

12.12.16 Repair and improvements

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The recent heavy rain has caused some damage to the small wall underpinning the newly erected security fence at the Children’s Centre. The contract had written into it a clause whereby the contractor has to make good any problems. Like young men anywhere, Lukondya and Malesa were keen to join in the remedial work. Their energy and enjoyment is there for all to see, with continuous joking and banter.
While this work was going on, Busega Scotland reached agreement with a painting fundi to decorate the second building and paint the outside walls.
paint A long overdue job. In the late afternoon the paint arrived and all the children helped with the offloading. Matron has chosen the colours, keeping Christine and John out of the ‘firing line’ if the colour scheme doesn’t meet with everyone’s approval! Latest reports say that the fundi is getting on well and we should be able to inspect the finished work on our next visit.