Category Archives: General

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.

16.6.24 Family Man

Geoffrey left Mayega Children’s Centre many moons ago. John and Christine have kept in touch on the phone, and we always meet up when in Mwanza. It is fair to say life hasn’t been easy for Geoffrey, in common with many Tanzanian young people.
But how his life has taken turns for the better. First, he got a sales job for the telecommunications company, Halotel, becoming a top performer in 2023, and he should be promoted to team leader later this year.
He also plays centre back for the Halotel staff football team. On the day of the photo, they beat the Mwanza College of Business and Education. A promotional match advertising Halotel products for university students
The biggest news, however, is the birth of baby Grayson last December. A smiley, friendly little boy. Many congratulations to Geoffrey and Catherine. Our family man has come a long way since Mayega. A lovely partner and a wee one to be proud of!

16.6.24 Happy to learn

One of the most striking changes at Mayega Children’s Centre over the last ten years has been educational attainment. To paraphrase the great Jurgen Klopp, ‘doubters have become believers’. Children are now confident they can succeed in their studies. This is supported by staff at the Centre, and by Busega Scotland. The photos are from holiday time, yes, holiday time!
Johana is in 6th form, and is being tutored by Masalu Venance, from Kalemala Secondary School.

 

Patron Isack works with the youngest children, and their latest exam results have been remarkable.

 

 

We have four children in Standard 1 to Standard 3 at Mayega Primary School. All made the top twelve in their year groups (each being well over a hundred pupils). One child was first and two were second!
Children want to learn, the staff facilitate this, and Busega Scotland supports their efforts. It works, and it will continue.