It is only now that the pain has subsided enough to tell this story. On 18th May Christine and I visited Bukumbi. This is the site where the first missionaries to Tanganyika settled in 1883. They were French White Fathers and from these modest beginnings Christianity spread out across East Africa and, locally, a hospital, nursing college, schools and technical college (that our five would be motor mechanics attend) have developed. Outside the site of the first church there was a sign – a sign in two senses of the word. 
Surely this Scouser was about to be rewarded for venerating such a holy place? The events in Basel that evening sadly proved otherwise…………………
Julieth Godwin, the Busega Scotland apprentice, has just completed a piece of research on employment issues for vulnerable young people leaving orphanages in Mwanza. The research report ‘Findings on the research of different orphanages in Mwanza city on employment problems facing different orphans as they finish their stay in the orphanages’ is Julieth’s first piece of research and written in English rather than Swahili, her first language. The report concludes that support systems are needed for young people, after they leave orphanages, as failures in employment highlight how ill equipped leavers are to live independently. The report will be considered carefully by Busega Scotland’s Moving-on Project, as we seek to learn lessons from our first period of operation. If you would like to comment on Julieth’s research she can be contacted through 
Sarah tries out a tablet computer donated to the Mayega Children’s Centre. Its amazing how quickly children get the hang of things! We are still working on trying to get an internet connection but pre -loaded educational games gave her something to try out. There are no telephone lines in Mayega . Internet is over the mobile phone network . Although we managed to get two different connections both were very slow. It may just have been a bad internet day- we have been having many of those. We will explore this further as educational internet access would help the children .
Rev Deuli and the Holy Trinity Parish Church, Mwanza (Charismatic Episcopal Church of Tanzania) joyfully accepted the gift of communion trays from The Mearns Coastal Parish of the Church of Scotland. People said they could not believe that they had such a gift from Christians in Scotland.
At the end of April, John and Christine Carney travelled to Basel, Switzerland to meet members of the congregation, and the Living Links committee, of the Anglican Church Basel (ACB). The church has supported the Mayega Orphanage for a number of years and is now interested in the Moving-on Project. John and Christine delivered two presentations, at the morning and evening services, and had lunch with committee members. It is Living Links who make recommendations to the church council on what charitable causes ACB will support. The indications are positive, with Assistant Chaplain Rev Dr Russell Hilliard describing Busega Scotland as the ‘real deal’. It will make such a difference if Living Links do decide to recommend the Moving-on Project. John and Christine enjoyed the warmth and hospitality of ACB, and thanked the church for their interest and support of the work in Tanzania.
Students return to classes after the Easter break and they look smart in their new college T shirts.