9.12.24 Upskilling

When Busega Scotland became involved with Mayega Children’s Centre in 2014, the staff only had primary education. It was clear that to provide the best possible care of the children, in all its facets, we needed greater expertise. This has been a progressive exercise, recruiting staff with both residential child care experience and formal qualifications.

We now have three graduates working at the Centre, a teacher and two social workers. The latest recruit is Asteria Benedicto, a social worker who has become our Head of Care. She will work alongside Neema Stephen, the Centre Manager, who has described their task.

‘The love and hard work (of staff) helps the children to become good people and fulfil their dreams and become important individuals in our society’.

We welcome Asteria and wish her well in her new post.

 

24.8.24 Tumaini means Hope

Busega Scotland has just started its third women’s group in Mayega village, with thirty members.
We feel it is important to support the Mayega community in different ways. The Children’s Centre provides local employment, we have worked with partners in establishing a piped village water supply, and approaching one hundred families, in total, are being supported through the women’s groups.
Our project supervisor, Julieth Godwin, assesses potential members, and in their first formal meeting the group leaders sign a contract with Busega Scotland setting out expectations. The contract has evolved over the years and has become helpful a guidance document. All groups need a constitution, and three office bearers; chairwoman, treasurer and secretary.
Signing the contract is a big moment. The Tumaini group had the Mayega village chairman, Mr Mabirika, in attendance. He is a great supporter of Busega Scotland’s work.

24.8.24 New appointments

Things have been changing a bit at Mayega Children’s Centre.
We have lost our Project Leader Gadlord Deuli, and Security Guard Nethanel Lushinila. Pastor Deuli has retired, and Nethanel is going to train as a pastor.
When some doors close then others open, and we are delighted to welcome Asteria Benedicto as our new Head of Care, and Michael Zakayo in the security post. Both appointees have a great deal of experience in their respective roles.
It is interesting to look at the staff gender balance at the Centre. We have 10 workers and eight are women. The senior management team is two women and one man. We have four fluent English speakers – two women and two men.
In what is a patriarchal society, the Centre needs good role models for the girls. Our Centre Manager is a woman, as is the District Commissioner for Busega, and the Executive Director at the District Council. But most importantly, the first young person from the Centre to go to university is female.

16.6.24 Family Man

Geoffrey left Mayega Children’s Centre many moons ago. John and Christine have kept in touch on the phone, and we always meet up when in Mwanza. It is fair to say life hasn’t been easy for Geoffrey, in common with many Tanzanian young people.
But how his life has taken turns for the better. First, he got a sales job for the telecommunications company, Halotel, becoming a top performer in 2023, and he should be promoted to team leader later this year.
He also plays centre back for the Halotel staff football team. On the day of the photo, they beat the Mwanza College of Business and Education. A promotional match advertising Halotel products for university students
The biggest news, however, is the birth of baby Grayson last December. A smiley, friendly little boy. Many congratulations to Geoffrey and Catherine. Our family man has come a long way since Mayega. A lovely partner and a wee one to be proud of!

16.6.24 Happy to learn

One of the most striking changes at Mayega Children’s Centre over the last ten years has been educational attainment. To paraphrase the great Jurgen Klopp, ‘doubters have become believers’. Children are now confident they can succeed in their studies. This is supported by staff at the Centre, and by Busega Scotland. The photos are from holiday time, yes, holiday time!
Johana is in 6th form, and is being tutored by Masalu Venance, from Kalemala Secondary School.

 

Patron Isack works with the youngest children, and their latest exam results have been remarkable.

 

 

We have four children in Standard 1 to Standard 3 at Mayega Primary School. All made the top twelve in their year groups (each being well over a hundred pupils). One child was first and two were second!
Children want to learn, the staff facilitate this, and Busega Scotland supports their efforts. It works, and it will continue.

9.6.24 Mr Deus Mtoba

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Mr Deus.
He was a great friend of staff and children at Mayega Children’s Centre. Moreover, he was the fundi we called on when repair and maintenance work was required. He seemed able to turn his hand to anything.
Mr and Mrs Deus were due to be special guests at our 10th Anniversary Party at the Centre on 1st June. Mr Deus died in hospital that morning after a short illness. He was 54 years old.
Deus Mtoba was from the Mayega area and learned his building skills from his father. He is survived by ten sons and daughters, who are carrying on the family’s building tradition.
Pastor Deuli, Neema Stephen, Christine and John paid their respects to Mrs Deus, and Mr Deus’ mother, on a visit to the family home. Many other family members were present as they continued to mourn.
RIP Mr Deus. We will miss you.

4.6.24 Moving East

Every four months, bulk food, and other supplies, are bought in Mwanza city and sent by lorry to the Children’s Centre at Mayega. A seventy mile journey east along the southern shores of Lake Victoria. The road is tarred, as it leads to the Serengeti and the Kenyan border, but is sometimes in poor condition.
This time the lorry carried a cupboard and desk from the Busega Scotland office in Mwanza. The office will close at the end of June when our base of operations will be at the Centre. The cost effectiveness of bulk purchases from the city will be reassessed, and, if we make a change, it would in a small way help boost the rural economy of Busega district. Something we would like to do.
Our Mwanza wholesaler, Mama Luce, would lose out on some trade but it’s a very busy shop. She is kind to the Mayega children, invariably sending gifts of sodas and sweets. We are also very good customers!

4.6.24 Maturing Garden

The garden at Mayega started life as a sandy strip of worked-out soil. Years of repeated cultivation, without the addition of organic matter. The addition of black soil and manure has improved the situation somewhat, improving fertility.
But what is also beginning to make a difference is some shade from the scorching sun. The fence has a covering of vines, notably passion fruit, and the paw paw trees are very productive. Currently, there are chinese cabbage, bamia (okra) and white tomato growing in the vegetable beds.
White tomato is interesting. It seems it is a small egg plant (aubergine) originating from Ethiopia. The variety grown in Tanzania has a bitter taste, and is a popular ingredient in vegetable stews. It grows easily, and can be found in any market.
Of course, the garden would not be anything without the hard work of children and staff. With twenty-four children to feed, we can’t really be self-sufficient but growing vegetables is a life skill and adds variety to the diet.

28.5.24 So good to see you again!

John and Christine first met Sebastian Marwa in 2016. ‘Robbie’ was a security guard where they were staying. A few things stick in their minds. Robbie’s superb command of English, and his searching questions about Scotland. Such as, ‘what are the population demographics of your country?’. Answers on a postcard ………. !
He also said his ambition was to be a ‘professional’. It was clear to everyone he had the capacity but as often is the case in Tanzania, would there be the opportunity? Robbie’s is an amazing story.
After obtaining a Certificate in Early Childhood, at evening class, he qualified as top diploma student in 2021 at the Montessori Training College in Mwanza. Since graduation, he has been employed as a nursery teacher at local Mercy Montessori Primary School.
Robbie is married with two children but still finds time to be the Tanzanian representative, and organiser, for Susana Ministries, an American not-for-profit organisation. They support many disadvantaged children through education. A cause very close to Robbie’s heart,
There is no doubt he is now the consummate professional that once he could only dream of being. John and Christine have the privilege of calling him a friend.