Busega Scotland is forming a very exciting partnership with Lhanbryde Primary School in Moray. The initial connection was made by trustee Jenny Wallen. A number of ideas are developing for links between the school and Mayega Children’s Centre and Mayega Primary School.

John and Christine have been working with P2/3 pupils on ‘human needs’ and with P5’s on ‘housing’. The lessons focussed on the children’s own experiences and compared this with the lives of children in Tanzania. The Moray children’s knowledge, understanding and engagement were remarkable.

The Carneys also addressed the school assembly. A presentation was made on the ‘day in the life of a Mayega child’. The highlight was when Gillian Ross (Head Teacher), Wendy Cumming (P2/3 Teacher), Christine and some of the children donned Tanzanian dress to everyone’s great mirth and excitement.

The school has already collected funds for Busega Scotland through a ‘mile of pennies’ and we look forward to building on the enthusiasm the school has for our work. Busega Scotland is Lhanbryde Primary’s nominated charity for this school year.

Resting in the shade

The October bulk food shop has taken place and the provisions safely delivered to Mayega. As well as the food staples of rice, beans, sugar and maize, the lorry also delivered  soap powder and other essential items. Supplies for the hens were also purchased. The children were glad to see everything arrive and rested in the shade once the goods were offloaded.

Student Representatives- left to right, George , Dotto , Hassan

Three Moving – on student leaders, George , Dotto  and Hassan celebrate their election at Kalwande College.

George is responsible for  keeping the stock room in order and ensuring each group receives plenty of food. George  will make sure no one goes hungry and everyone will want to speak with him!

Dotto, a keen sportsman , was elected as college games leader. He does not like making speeches which is unusual in Tanzania, but when he speaks everyone listens! He is  well  respected by his fellow students and this responsibility plays to his strengths . Dotto likes all sports but volleyball and football are his favourites.

Hassan has the honour of being the student president. Leadership is nothing new to him as he was chairman of the children’s committee at Mayega before leaving to study. He always represented the children well and spoke up for all. Hassan is growing in confidence in spoken English.

We wish them all well as they take up their new posts.

There is a flag!

Earlier this month the Children’s Centre received a visit from the newly appointed Commissioner for Busega District. The Commissioner is the president’s local representative and he was very positive about the care of the children but noticed that a Tanzanian national flag was nowhere to be seen. Very simple answer to that – there wasn’t one!

In stepped our Tanzania partners – Busega Chidren’s Development Services Assistance (BCDSA Tz) – who donated one.  It is now safely on its pole and shrubs have been planted around it. The flag is particularly attractive. Its colours are symbolic of Tanzania. The yellow of the sun, the blue of the sky, the green of the countryside and the black of the people. We are sure that we now have a happy and supportive Commissioner.

Ester( left) and Kabula at home in Mwanza.

The girls are continuing their studies after passing their latest exams. Kabula is nearing the end of her secretarial course and we hope she will be successful in finding a job in the new year. It will not be easy without a family to speak up for her but she will receive support from Busega Scotland’s project leader, Rev Gadlord Deuli.

Ester has just started her final year of primary teaching and is looking forward to  going out on teaching practice.

The girls are thankful for the opportunities they are receiving with thanks to Busega Scotland supporters.

Nicola Milne and Andy Lees, Busega Scotland Trustees, were delighted to attend a cheque presentation evening with the Glen Moray Male Voice Choir, at Bishopmill School Elgin.

Nicola thankfully  accepted a cheque for £500 to support the work in Tanzania. Three other charities also received support. Thank you to all the singers.

Busega Scotland has approached hotels in Moray to see if they are able to ‘Help Feed Mayega’. The initiative is in its early days but we have had a magnificent response from Alan Main, proprietor of the Royal Hotel in Elgin.

Bed & Breakfast

The request is for hotels to consider meeting the costs of basic foodstuffs for the Children’s Centre.

Christine is able to quantify the cost  of rice, maize, beans, fruit and vegetables etc. and Alan has met the cost of all the food at Mayega for a month. It is such kindness that gives us confidence and inspires our work. Alan said he was impressed by the work of Busega Scotland and how we are able to quantify costs and direct funds accordingly.

We would like to see if the initiative can be extended to other places. If readers know of any hotels, or food-related businesses, that may be interested in ‘Help Feed Mayega’, then please let us know. We can then work together in making an approach. It would be good to broaden the search.