John and Christine met the Ladies Together group at Lossiemouth Baptist Church and spoke about the work of Busega Scotland. Our talk was enthusiastically received. Also, it was good to meet again an important figure in our children’s education. Claire Stewart, who introduced us to the group, was a teacher at Milne’s High School and taught Ellen, Hannah and Graeme. It was difficult not to refer to Claire as Mrs Stewart! Old habits die hard.The group made a magnificent donation of £100, that will be used to best effect in Tanzania. Many, many thanks to the Lossie ladies.
3.2.17 Food Shortages?
Reports are reaching us from colleagues in Tanzania of a growing food shortage, due to limited ‘short rains’ last year and subsequent crop failures. The government is adamant that the country is not facing a famine threat and that there is enough food. The ruling party has also blamed traders for stoking up public concern and for rising prices. What we know is that the rains did effectively fail in the Mwanza and Simiyu Regions, and food prices are significantly higher. Rev Deuli, our Project Leader, organises a four month bulk food shop and we expect the load to go next week will cost about 20% more than last time (for staples like maize, rice, sugar and cooking oil). This is a significant issue for Busega Scotland, particularly as the value of the pound against the Tanzanian shilling is some 12% less than pre-EU referendum levels. Colleagues have discussed the food situation at Mayega with the Busega District Commissioner (the president’s representative) and received assurances that the government is on top of the situation. At the children’s centre there is sufficient food however there is hunger in the surrounding villages. We will monitor the situation carefully.
4.2.17 Logo competition winner
In the early days of our existence we received expert help in developing our first ‘shaking hands’ logo. This has served us well but we have been interested in alternatives and approached Moray College UHI – University of the Highlands and Islands. We prepared a ‘brief’ for Higher National Diploma (HND) students in Interactive Media, explaining our charitable purposes, services and ethos, before throwing down the gauntlet to the students to come up with new designs. We had a short leet of three; they were brilliant and we can use all of them for different purposes but there had to be a winner (voted on by trustees and our volunteers to Tanzania).
Jo Campbell’s winning design is based on the Tanzanian coat of arms, reflects Busega Scotland’s aim to support welfare work and incorporates the two national flags. Ingenious. The students will now use the logo in other tasks, such as creating a letterhead, business cards, poster and PowerPoint templates. The logo project has been used by the college as piece of coursework and mirrored the process followed by designers in the commercial world. A superb joint venture to the benefit of the students, college and Busega Scotland. A very big thank you to the students and their lecturer, Lynne Strachen.
Jo pictured centre front.
2.2.17 Quilters Supporting Busega
John and Christine enjoyed their visit to Speyside Quilters. The members were very kind in their appreciation of the talk they received and asked some interesting and searching questions. It was good that Christine had been able to show photographs of the Mayega Centre, to illustrate how the children have made impressive use of craft items previously donated by the quilters. The ladies then exhibited their own craftwork, in a ‘show and tell’ session. Ruth McIntosh, a longstanding supporter of Busega Scotland, had brought along a quilt she’d made for her granddaughter. A beautiful piece of work. Ruth then asked if her colleagues would join in a project to make and sell Busega shopping bags, from cloth brought back from Tanzania. She had plenty of volunteers! Wonderful! But this is not all. Members donated literally bags full of craft items, that will be taken to Mayega, to further enrich the lives of the children. The quilters also made a donation of £50 to Busega Scotland funds. Can you believe it, such a generous, enjoyable and impressive evening!
1.2.17 Our AGM – a right of passage!
It was a night of celebration on 1st February when Busega Scotland held its first Annual General Meeting – we had come of age! All trustees were able to attend and our constitution lays down set functions for the meeting. The centrepiece is the Chair’s report and you will find this in the reports section of the website https://busegascotland.co.uk/reports/. The report had some significant highlights:
- A record of thanks for the many contributions made to Busega Scotland’s work by trustees, supporters, businesses, churches and organisations in Scotland, Tanzania and other countries.
- The partnerships that have been established In Moray, and the way Busega Scotland gives back to the community that supports it so well.
- An income in the period 1st July 2015 to 30th November 2016 of £35,054.
- The significant progress made in Tanzania in each of the three main projects.
- The conclusion that Busega Scotland has become a credible and respected charity at home and overseas.
There was a note of caution about finances. Despite a relatively healthy position at the moment, there is a need to maintain fundraising to sustain our projects, with the fall in the value of the pound and rising Tanzanian prices being added pressures. The trustees hope we can increase the number of regular donors to support day to day expenditure; especially at the Mayega Children’s Centre and for the ten students in the Moving-on Project. If any supporter is able to help by setting up a standing order, then this can be achieved through the Donate Now page on our website.
Here’s to another successful year in the life of Busega Scotland!
31.1.17 New Volunteer Blog Page
Read all about it! The activities of Busega Scotland volunteers:
Valerie and Arnold Barrow are currently volunteering with Busega Scotland.
To keep up to date with what they are doing please visit their blog page at https://busegascotland.co.uk/volunteers-blog-valerie-arnold-barrow-2017/
29.1.17 Youthpoint Moray
As well as Turning Point collecting 20 pence’s for Busega Scotland in Smartie Tubes (see the news item on 10.01.17), Youthpoint Moray have been at it as well! Youthpoint is an Aberlour Childcare Trust project in Elgin and supports vulnerable young people in the community. A Youthpoint member of staff, Cenzo Main (if you want to identify him please see the news item dated 090916 ‘Ups and downs and feel the pain’), was a mainstay of Walk Moray for Busega and his enthusiasm for Busega Scotland has certainly rubbed off on his colleagues. John collected £72.80 from the team and the Carneys will give a talk to the staff on 15th February. This is another excellent example of how generously people are willing to get behind Busega Scotland, to support vulnerable children and families in a very distant land. We hope that this website, our newsletters and talks adequately convey the difference that can be made by us all pulling together. It’s a good feeling
28.1.17 Station Hotel Burghead supports Chole Family Support Project
Chole family Support project received a boost last night courtesy of the Station Hotel Burghead.
Mike McClafferty entertained the crowd as Quiz Master and Master of Ceremonies. Thanks to the landlord for hosting the event and providing snacks for everyone to enjoy.
The crowd enjoyed a heads and tails game as well as the main quiz. The prize of a bottle of Glen Moray whisky was much appreciated. The birth place of the USA First lady was a little tricky as no one left in the game got the right answer!The winning team received bottles of wine and the booby prize was chocolates. There was also a raffle. A total of £170 was raised. Thank You to all who made it happen and everyone who came along on the night.
27.1.17 Returning Volunteers arrive in Mwanza
Busega Scotland is delighted that Arnold and Valerie Barrow have returned to Tanzania. Look out for more news of their activities in the coming days. If you can’t wait for news , check out their previous activities at https://busegascotland.co.uk/volunteers/
25.1.17 St Anne’s Guild welcomes Christine
St Anne’s Parish Church, Edinburgh are old friends of Busega Scotland. The Sunday School supported the Mayega orphanage back in 2014 when the children had an outing to the Serengeti National Park. Christine was delighted to accept an invitation to their Guild Meeting on 24.1.17 and met friends old and new. An update on the Mayega Children’s Centre and the work of Busega Scotland was given. The group asked questions about the life of women and aspirations of girls. On the night Christine was presented with a cheque for £130. Once again a big thank you to St Anne’s