Christine and John have visited Knockando Wool Mill, in the upper Spey valley, to meet with Operations Director Terry Cleaver. The meeting was arranged through Busega Scotland trustee Colin Sanders, who has helped the mill become established as a charitable trust.
‘Knockando Woolmill continues an unbroken 200 year old tradition, producing woven fabric on its historic looms. Knockando Woolmill has always been at the heart of the local community. Listed as the ‘Wauk Mill’ in parish records from 1784, the mill has since maintained its traditions of spinning and weaving through generations of families.’
The discussions with Terry were very productive and bode well for a joint venture between the two organisations. How great it would be if the mill, with its long history, could partner with one of Scotland’s newest charities!
Knockando Woolmill has a superb website charting its history and current activities along with an online shop : www.knockandowoolmill.org.uk/
After a lengthy application process we are very happy to announce that Busega Scotland has opened an account with the Bank of Scotland. This will make our financial reporting and auditing process simpler. We are also registering for Gift Aid which will enable us to reclaim tax on donations made by UK tax payers. Please contact us for more information .
The Kalwande students were very happy to go and buy safety boots at the start of the new term. This should keep them safe when working in the mechanics workshop. They said thank you to the Moving on project for making this happen.
While this is a West Indian refrain, there maybe a version in Swahili as there is an indigenous form of the game in Sukumaland. We don’t know if is still played, how widespread it was and how many people played it, but play it they did. The Sukuma are the ethnic group who live in and around Mwanza, and the largest tribe in Tanzania.
The contractors have finished the work at Mayega and the children are delighted with their new fence. Having led chaotic lives before their admission to the orphanage , the fence gives the children a sense of freedom . They feel safe and will no longer be bothered by village drunks. This was a particular problem for the girls.
Across Tanzania vulnerable girls are often forced to get married when they are very young if they have no family to provide for them. Extended families too poor to care for orphaned relatives see it as a way of ensuring the girls are fed as they become the responsibility of the husband. A girl can be sold for a few cows . The United Nations Population Fund has a fact sheet on Child Marriage in Tanzania for further reading.
At last the contract is signed for the security fence at Mayega. It has taken two years of negotiations to resolve the land ownership disputes and thanks are due to the many Tanzanian Government officials at village , district and regional level who made this possible. Busega Scotland is also grateful for the efforts of Arnold and Valerie Barrow in getting things moving. The Mayega staff and children are delighted. They have been bothered by village men drunk on local brew. The fence also means that we comply with Tanzanian Children’s Homes regulations.