8.8.17 More connections

Moving forward with Busega Scotland is not all about fundraising and developing our projects in Tanzania. Adding to our knowledge and to our networks is equally important. From contacts at Refuel, we attended Keswick in Buckie, are looking to set up payroll giving, have been offered support from the Edinburgh Medical Missionary Society, have a talk scheduled with the Skene Murray Mission and Christine attended an Africa Night at St Margaret’s Church in Aberlour.
Keswick in Buckie is a multi-denominational Christian convention that has been held in the Moray fishing town since 1985. Busega Scotland had a stall to spread the word of what we do and sell bags, cloth and t-shirts to raise funds.
Christine also went to Aberlour for the same purposes and was treated to a display of African drumming from the Ruciteme Karyenda Culture de Buyenzi. The Burundian group are in Scotland as part of the Aberdeen International Youth Festival. Their aim is to bring their national culture to everyone and everywhere, as a sign of national unity in a country that has suffered from civil war. Drumming is a form of communication and the group certainly connected with Christine, who described the performance as ‘exhilarating’.

26.7.17 VETA couldn’t be better

 

We have received great news from our project leader in Tanzania, Rev. Gadlord Deuli, that our students at Kalwande College have passed their national VETA  first year exams in motor mechanics. The Vocational Education and Training Authority is a government body that regulates vocational training in Tanzania, by approving courses and providing national examinations.
Our five second year students have just finished their three month block placements in garages around Mwanza and the indications are that they have done well. Great credit should go to the students, who in less than two years have left the rural life at Mayega, moved to a residential college and then on to placements in the city. This is no mean feat and the support provided by Rev Deuli is invaluable. Many congratulations to everyone, as the ‘Kalwande boys’ take strides towards a secure future for themselves and in the industrial development of their country.
Busega Scotland has eight Mayega leavers in college this year, that is putting considerable strain on our finances. We would be delighted to hear from any supporters who may be able to provide full or part-time sponsorship and so further encourage our students in their studies.

23.7.17 Refuel for Busega Scotland

Friends of Busega Scotland, Pete and Sandra Anderson, are joining John and Christine at a week long Refuel event in the historic grounds of Gordon Castle. Refuel is a summer family Christian festival and the only one in Scotland. Over 700 people are expected to attend and Busega Scotland has a stall selling African cloth bags (and made by Busega friend Ruth McIntosh), the cloth itself, Busega Scotland t-shirts and other items. We are also hoping to sign up regular donors, as such support is very much needed at present.
Gordon Castle has been a stronghold of the Gordon Clan since the fifteenth century, although the current building derived from a redevelopment in the seventeen hundreds. The grounds are magnificent with open parkland, woods, farming and the close-by River Spey. Gordon Castle is just three miles from where John and Christine live.
The Director of Refuel, Craig Mackay, invited Busega Scotland to attend the event after hearing about our projects in Tanzania. Craig has active involvement in charitable activities in South Africa and his company CM Design Consultants is helping us with architectural drawings for our proposed visitor’s house at Mayega Children’s Centre. Many thanks to Craig and Refuel for their support.

21.7.17 Malaria hits our students

Malaria is a big problem in the Lake Zone, when standing water provides the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Enoch and Dotto were hospitalised recently for 3 and 4 day periods. The treatment for severe infections is the old standby of quinine, administered as a drip. Both boys have made a full recovery but the picture nationally is alarming. Over 90% of the population is at risk, resulting in 11 million clinically diagnosed malaria cases a year, with 60 to 80,000 deaths. Most of the deaths are in pregnant women and the under fives. John discussed malaria infection with Sister Anastasia Salla of Bukumbi Hospital, who said that although most people sleep under mosquito nets there is inevitably exposure in the evening and morning. John and Christine take prophylactics but this is not possible for people permanently resident in Tanzania. Local people build up an immunity but despite this succumb regularly to malaria infections. Busega Scotland provides medical insurance for the children at Mayega Children’s Centre, and for the students in the Moving-on Project, to ensure prompt treatment. Life is hard in Tanzania and the risk of malaria is but one hazard of everyday life.

 

 

20.7.17 Mayega Shuka Now on Sale

One of Busega Scotland’s most exciting projects has come to fruition. Last year one of our trustees, Colin Sanders, introduced us to Knockando Woolmill Trust. The mill has been producing woollen textiles since 1784. A plan was put together to manufacture Mayega Shukas, based on a traditional African design made famous by Maasai tribesmen. Shukas are used in Africa as clothing and blankets.

The actual detail of the cloth was developed by the children at Mayega Children’s Centre, who coloured in templates provided by the mill. The cloth has been woven and shukas are now available for sale through the Knockando website – https://www.knockandowoolmill.co.uk/

The shukas are truly unique in their concept, being woollen and in a limited edition of forty. All profits will go to our work at Mayega Children’s Centre.

We would like acknowledge the support of Knockando Woolmill and students from the University of the Highlands and Islands – Moray College who developed the shuka display. Thanks also to MMS Almac who printed the display materials.

The project is a testimony to what can be achieved when diverse knowledge, skills and abilities are pulled together for a common cause, even across different continents.

 

19.7.17 A very kind thought

A local connection with John and Christine’s home village of Garmouth and a family’s historic links with Tanzania has led to a very kind donation to Busega Scotland. Sandra and Tricia Banks spent their early years in Tanganyika, where their father was a vet, Tricia being born there. Christopher was also born there, in Tabora, before the family returned to UK, due to the rise of the Mau Mau. Sandra and Tricia’s mother died and is buried in Tanzania, and with the youngest two children being born there, it was felt appropriate and fitting to mark the eldest sibling’s birthday to make a donation to Busega Scotland in her name, Sandra Aureli. Many thanks to the family and the funds will be used to support vulnerable children in our projects.

4.7.17 Royal Garden Party

Busega Scotland was recognised for its work in Tanzania when John and Christine were invited to the Royal Garden Party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. The invitation originated from the Lord-Lieutenant of Moray who nominates members of the community for work undertaken by local organisations. John and Christine were happy to represent Busega Scotland and the many people who are helping to make lives better for children and families in Tanzania.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were in attendance and John and Christine had to dress up in their finery. Unfortunately, the weather was typically Scottish but the refreshments wonderfully traditional – cucumber sandwiches and raspberry tarts. There were also chocolate cakes topped off with royal crowns – John didn’t know whether to eat or salute his!
One of the highlights was meeting a royal cat
– blue in colour and regal in countenance.
A happy day.

24.6.17 Local Connections

John and Christine set up a stall at the annual Maggie Fair, in their home village of Garmouth, on the last Saturday in June. The fair has taken place annually for over four hundred years and trustee, Jenny Wallen, arranged Busega Scotland’s presence to promote our work and raise funds. We collected £78 during the afternoon.
The Carneys have also made a welcome return to Lhanbryde Primary School, to update the children on life at Mayega Children’s Centre. Addressing the school assembly is both a pleasure and a daunting prospect but the children are incredibly interested in the lives of their ‘Mayega friends’. The school has become a very valued supporter of education at the centre and at Mayega Primary School – providing both money and resources. One P7 pupil, Jacob Wood, undertook a sponsored cycle to raise money for sports’ equipment at the school. The magnificent £145 will go to buy netball equipment. Many thanks to Jacob and his supporters – he covered 18 miles on what is a very hilly route!

17.6.17 Mwanza Links

John and Christine have had the pleasure of meeting up with old friends from Mwanza and a volunteer on the Jubilee Hope, who lives just three miles from their home in Moray.
Robin and Debbie Hill will be second time visitors to Tanzania when they return with Busega Scotland later in the year. The couple said, ‘we received a warm and appreciative welcome from local people involved with Busega Scotland three years ago. We are looking forward to seeing the progress that has been made since our last visit’. John and Christine met the Hills in Edinburgh to discuss their programme and to show them the city’s many delights.
John also met Phil and Janetta Vandenberg on another visit to Edinburgh (Christine was not available due to family duties). The Vandenbergs are from Canada and were very taken with the city and Scotland as a whole. They are working their way north and east ending up in Skye – they have been well warned about the midges! When in Tanzania, Phil works as an agriculturist and Janetta in a health centre, They are volunteers with an organisation called World Renew.
Just before John and Christine left Mwanza in May they became aware that two nurses ( a mother and daughter) from the Moray village of Fochabers, were travelling to Tanzania to serve on the medical ship, the Jubilee Hope. The vessel calls at island communities on Lake Victoria and is run by the Edinburgh-based charity, the Vine Trust. John and Christine recently met Alison Stewart, the mum, for a ‘news’ and a cuppa. The Carneys hope to visit the ship when they are back in Mwanza.