Busega Scotland is delighted to announce that Julieth Godwin has been appointed as Assistant Project Leader, with special responsibility for our family support projects. Julieth was previously a Busega Scotland apprentice and has been working with us on a temporary basis over the last few months. Busega Scotland trustees agreed the additional post as we foresee an increase in workload, as major projects develop and this will place additional demands on our Project Leader, Rev Deuli. We should soon be admitting new children to Mayega Children’s Centre, be employing a ‘Saturday teacher’ and working on the water supply. Christine is also keen that Julieth becomes an external counsellor to the girls at Mayega – a role that she is well prepared for through her apprenticeship. We wish Julieth well in her new post and it great to see Busega Scotland ‘growing its own staff’ so successfully
24.1.17 Student Life begins for Mayega leavers
The Moving-on Project received three new recruits this month. Lukondya, Mazabuka and Monica left Mayega for new lives as college students. The two boys will train to be motor mechanics and Monica to be an electrician. It is a well worn path for Mayega leavers to join Kalwande College. Lukondya w
ill join our five other students there. Mazabuka and Monica have enrolled at Nyakato College, which is new for Busega Scotland. Christine and Rev Deuli visited the college and were very impressed by its organisation and facilities. There is competition for places and we were delighted when they were selected, having done very well in the entrance examination and interview.
Lukondya and Mazabuka will be resident at their colleges, while Monica has moved in with Ester and Kabula. They are now in their final year with Ester training as a primary teacher and Kabula doing secretarial studies. The Moving-on Project currently has ten students in full time vocational education as we attempt to provide secure futures for them. All the established students are doing very well and we also expect our new recruits to do Mayega Children’s Centre and Busega Scotland proud.
Matron was sad to see her children leave but bursting with pride at the young adults they have become.
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 [email protected] 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
For 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!
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.
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.
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 forthe 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.
