20.10.16 Elgin Rotarians meet Mayega

rotary-club-andyJohn and Christine accepted a lunch invitation from the Elgin Rotary Club and delivered a presentation on the work of Busega Scotland. The mission of Rotary International is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

The talk concentrated on the Mayega Children’s Centre and the need for a piped water supply. The Rotary Club of Elgin has been involved with many projects in Nepal, where there is poor provision of sanitation and water and has changed the lives of local communities in some of the most remote areas of this country.

Busega Scotland is hopeful that Elgin Rotary will partner with us in the provision of piped water at Mayega.The talk was well received and we await with interest the outcome of the Club’s deliberations.

Many thanks to Elgin Rotary for their interest in Busega Scotland. The photograph shows President-elect for 2017, Andy Jamieson, with Christine and John.

19.10.16 Moray Office ‘supplies’ Mayega

dsc01223The developing partnership between the Aberlour Trust Project, Alba Place and Busega Scotland, has led to a very generous donation from an Elgin company, Moray Office Supplies.
When Frances Nicol, from Alba, asked if there was anything her team could donate to Mayega Children’s Centre, Christine Carney suggested coloured ink pads. The pads would be used with rubber stamps already received from Lhanbryde Primary School, to help the Mayega children with learning English and for creative activities.
After a few moments reflection, Frances wondered if Moray Office Supplies would like to help and sure enough twenty pads, in various colours, have been donated. The photo shows Christine accepting the gift from Cassie Russell, with Frances also in the picture.
How good it is when people and organisations work together – many thanks to Moray Office Supplies and to all concerned.

17.10.16 Education , education , education !

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Over the next couple of months Busega Scotland  will implement plans to improve the attainment of children at the Mayega Children’s Centre. Our Project Leader in Tanzania, Rev Gadlord Deuli, has been to Mayega to speak to the staff and we are pleased to say that the ideas were well received.
In November, Christine and John will host a seminar at the Centre when plans will be finalised. These will include contributions from local partners in Moray; Lhanbryde Primary School, MJD Systems (computer specialists) and trustee Jenny Wallen, who is an educationalist.
We are also delighted to welcome to our team Sebahene Amon, an experienced Tanzanian school teacher, who is at present completing a Master of Education degree in Mwanza. Seba has volunteered to work with us at Mayega and will take part in the education seminar. Jenny and Seba are working hard on joint initiatives, that draw on their wealth of educational experience.
We are entering exciting times for education in Mayega. These will be fully reported in future articles, as the plans are implemented.

12.10.16 Lhanbryde Women’s Institute

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Lhanbryde Women’s Institute

 John and Christine were invited to talk about the work of Busega Scotland at the Lhanbryde Women’s Institute. The national Women’s Institute was created by Scottish women in 1917. It is designed to bring women together, with a vision to educate, to share, to campaign, to learn, to socialise, to build a community and of course, to have fun. They also share the secrets of the perfect scone!
With mention of fun and a scone John and Christine were right in there. The ladies enjoyed the talk and asked some insightful questions. Christine then had the diplomatically sensitive task of judging a baking competition for Halloween biscuits. All were equally perfect, just like a WI scone!
We must also thank the Lhanbryde ladies for contributing £68 to Busega Scotland funds. It really was a very good evening.

10.10.16 St James’ Women’s Guild

We didn’t disappoint!
John and Christine were invited to address St. James’ Women’s Guild at Lossiemouth. We received a very warm welcome and were formally introduced as speakers on our visit to Tasmania! Despite our offer to leave, the ladies insisted that we stay and talk about our favourite subject.
dsc01219After the talk, some interesting questions and kind words, we met Katherine Milne whose travel and volunteering experience was amazing. Katherine spoke about her times in Rwanda, Bolivia, the Philippines, Nicaragua and Malawi. Many thanks to the Guild, who will make a collection for Busega Scotland throughout their current session.
The front of St James’s has a superb view across the Lossiemouth East Beach and the outer Moray Firth.
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9.10.16 Easyfundraising through online shopping

ef-logo-01Did you know that whenever you buy anything online – from your weekly shop to your annual holiday – you could be collecting free donations for Busega Scotland?

There are over 3,000 shops and sites on board ready to make a donation, including Amazon, John Lewis, Aviva, thetrainline and Sainsbury’s – it doesn’t cost you a penny extra!

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3…

1. Head to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/busegascotland/ and join for free.

2. Every time you shop online, go to easyfundraising first to find the site you want and start shopping.

3. After you’ve checked out, that retailer will make a donation to your good cause for no extra cost whatsoever!

There are no catches or hidden charges and Busega Scotland will be really grateful for your donations.

Thank you for your support.

 

7.10.16 Shopaholics help Busega Scotland

sue-charity-shop-3It seemed like the whole population of Moray descended on the Busega Scotland shop in Lossiemouth over the last two weeks. That was a great relief to our voluntary helpers as they battled with a mountain of donations. How generous people have been.

As for the bottom line ……………… our takings were £2238.95. This compared with last year’s total of just under £1600. We thought that was fantastic but words don’t adequately describe this year’s result!

Many thanks to the eleven supporters who gave up their time to work in the shop. Chris and George Petrie took the week off work and our new friend Sue McNab provided invaluable retail advice. Sue had a career as a visual merchandiser with large department stores.

dsc01217One of our helpers, Ruth McIntosh, on hearing of the final total threw down the gauntlet, “the takings are fabulous, only one problem how do we top it next year?” No time for complacency in Busega Scotland!

 

 

6.10.16 Back to school

lhanbryde-gillian-wendy-and-christine-2Busega 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.

4.10.16 Sitting in the shade

mayega-shade

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.mayega-bulk-food-october-16

Part of the cost of the food was met through our ‘Help Feed Mayega’ hotel appeal and a generous donation from Alan Main (see news item 200916 – Royal response). Thanks also to our other supporters who help provide ‘food security’ for the children. This is best achieved by monthly Standing Orders to Busega Scotland, so if you think you can help in this way please use our new Bank of Scotland bank account:

Account Name : Busega Scotland

Sort Code: 80-22-60

Account Number : 14126960

3.10.16 Kalwande Student Leaders

kalwande-leaders

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.