26.2.24 Another arrival at Mayega

Well not exactly. No new child has been admitted to the Children’s Centre.
One of our security guards, Bibiana, gave birth to Joyce last year and has just returned from maternity leave. Welcome back, Bibiana, and welcome, Joyce.

14.2.24 Kalwande Mshikamano Group

The name of the group definitely describes its purpose. The Kalwande Solidarity Group, and it’s our first group of the year.
32 women have come together to support each other, and Busega Scotland is standing with them. Julieth Godwin and Henry Zepherine have assessed each woman for group attendance, and the meeting on 13th February was its start.
If all goes well, Busega Scotland will make its first contribution to the group’s capital in three months’ time. That will allow the women to take loans and build up their small businesses. In the meantime, members will use their vicoba (similar to a credit union) for personal savings.
Busega Scotland has a history at Kalwande. Several years ago we had young people from Mayega Children’s Centre at the technical college there, studying motor mechanics.

30.1.24 Light and Dark

It is important that children get a good and safe night’s sleep, and if they have to get up they can see where they are going. No debate about that.
At Magega recently, the mains power has been a bit unreliable and the solar batteries (as our back up) died on us! What timing! But there is a fundi meme (electrician) who has done work for us before and he has the solar back up and running. Superb. Also, we decided to use the donation from Hersi Said (see previous news article 070124 New Year Celebrity) to cover the cost of the repair.
Back in March of last year, we prepared a talk for a Rainbow’s group and the adult leaders asked if mosquito nets act as ‘safety rails’ on the top bunks in our dormitories? In reality they do, but not as effectively as rails, although we have never had a child fall out! Busega District Council also noticed that we have no rails and our old bunks (known locally as double deckers) are getting rickety. Call Mr Deus, the man for all odd jobs. As a prototype, he combined the strengthening of a bunk, with adding a ladder, and safety rails. Genius, three birds with one stone! Now we’ll turn attention to the other eleven bunks! Repair and maintenance, it never ends, but safety comes first.

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28.1.24 Serengeti and a TV connection!

The Children’s Centre received tremendous Christmas generosity from the Kirawira Serena Camp, in the Serengeti’s western corridor. Mayega is just 10 miles from Ndabaka Gate, and our matron, Leya Lusana, is friends with Kirawira staff.

They have brought gifts previously, but 2023 was exceptional. A TV, dish, and decoder, so the children can watch TV at the Centre for the first time! Our Officer in Charge, Neema Stephen, said, ‘the TV is working well, and the children watch the news in the evening’.

It is great that the knowledge and experiences of the children are being widened, as growing up in rural Africa does not always provide a window on the outside world. However, we are pretty sure TV watching will extend beyond the news! Unfortunately, the African Cup of Nations tournament would have been a disappointment. Tanzania went out at the group stage. Bad luck Taifa Stars!

9.1.24 Very busy at Mayega!

The Christmas/New Year period is a time for celebration at the Centre. But it is busy in other ways.
Rain is expected, and the garden needs work. This is coordinated by our male carer, Isaac. with the children helping along.
This year, biringani (aubergine) is looking very healthy and, as ever, the passion fruit is going well on the Centre’s perimeter fence.
The school year in Tanzania starts in January, and the Mayega children go with staff to the nearest town, Lamadi, for shopping. Uniforms and school clothes are bought, along with casual attire. The children take pride in how smart they can look, particularly to church on Sundays.

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7.1.24 New Year Celebrity

Young Africans Sports Club, commonly referred to as Yanga, is arguably the most successful football club in Tanzania. It has its roots in the Tanganyikan struggle for independence. In 2023, it won the Tanzania Premier League for the 27th time, and the club was ranked number 3 in African football. Its stadium holds 60,000 spectators, and it has a fan base of around 35 million.
Given all of that, it was to everyone’s surprise that Mayega Children’s Centre had a visit from Yanga’s president, Hersi Said. Mr Said is a civil engineer, and major Tanzanian businessman. It was an honour to receive him at Mayega, and it caused great excitement amongst the children. Many of them are Yanga supporters.
In recognition of the fine work being undertaken at the Centre, Engineer Said made a donation of 1,000,000 Tanzanian shillings to Busega Scotland (about £350). Many thanks go to him for his visit and kindness.

5.11.23 Call for Mr Deus

Mayega Children’s Centre needs a lot of TLC! The buildings, that is. The edge of Lake Victoria is a harsh environment. It can be desert-like for much of the year, with relentless sun, and then in the wet seasons, violent storms. This takes its toll on our infrastructure, alongside the normal maintenance jobs you may expect at any children’s home.
We have had a very positive relationship with Mr Deus for many years. We call upon him when work needs doing. He seems to be able to turn his hand to almost anything and, when necessary, brings in other fundis (trades people) to help out. The photos show Mr Deus precariously repairing a roof, and his colleagues doing some tiling and mending a mosquito screen.

 

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5.11.23 They have walked 500 miles!

By the end of October Cenzo and John had walked over 500 miles in their quest to complete 1350 miles for Busega Scotland. The figure is their combined ages x the age of Busega Scotland in 2024 – our tenth anniversary. Most of their walking is done in Moray through the forests, along rivers and the sea coast. A constant reminder of what a gem their home area is.
Keeping going will become a little more tricky in the winter but our walkers are determined. Completing Kutembea Kubwa (the Great Trek) will mark our centenary along with other events that are in the planning,
May the wind be always at their backs.

28.10.23 Furaha katika umoja!

Happiness in unity! 27th October 2023 was a very happy day for the Umoja (Unity) Women’s Group in Mayega village. The group had gained registration with Busega District Council. This entitled them to receive a third grant from Busega Scotland, and completed our contribution to their VICOBA (group bank).
The Umoja group was formed in February 2022 and consists of 32 women. The first two grants paid by Busega Scotland totalled £645 (the third was £175). By the end of August the women had themselves generated an £880 in capital, through interest on business loans taken from the VICOBA and from their general savings. The crucial impact of Busega Scotland is the ‘seed corn’ capital we are able to provide, and that is then combined with the work of the women to grow their capital.
The VICOBA money is theirs and, as usual in our groups, after paying the third instalment Busega Scotland steps back. We promote independence not dependence.
The photos show the Umoja group with our supervisor Julieth Godwin (pink dress) and project leader Gadlord Deuli joining in the celebrations. Well done, Umoja!

3.10.23 Sixty-nine miles and Four Abbeys

A Busega Scotland team has successfully completed the 4 Abbeys Way in the Scottish Borders. 69 miles over 6 days, passing abbeys in Kelso, Jedburgh, Melrose, and Dryburgh. Magnificent countryside, hills and river valleys. Tough but very rewarding.
If you would like to sponsor the team’s efforts please use the Donate Now button above.
For more photos and information about the walk please email busegascotland@gmail.com .