Habari yote? Firstly, we are a Registered Charity!!!!
For this may I thank Becky Parsons for assisting me with writing our constitution, and to James Quayle and Matt Rigby for their continued efforts collecting the necessary information required by the Charity Commission. I hope this will allow us to further our fundraising events and therefore our progress in re-homing our children. I must also thank my Dad for his effort in creating the new Upendo t-shirts in a variety of colours. I have carried 40+ across to Tanzania with the aim of selling them to volunteers as a form of raising some funds.
Arrival in Tanzania - Carly and Vicki
Vicki and I have arrived safely in Buswelu after the usual 2-day flight and overnight bus journey with no hiccups to report... strange to say, I know! We eventually reached our lovely home, greeted with the biggest heart of anyone I know, Eric, who runs our duka (shop) at the end of the garden, who opened up the gates and let us in. Andrew (our man in Africa, long term volunteer who has now left us) had left everything in a perfect manner, bed sheets all washed and folded, the house clean, all paintings finished etc. It was a dream to walk in to. He's also added some more pictures around the house - it's lovely. I, as normal, couldn't be happier to arrive here. Vicki was also very impressed and I think she will soon feel at home here. It does feel very quiet and I feel a little lost without Andrew and Joshua here though, they have made such a huge contribution to the progress of Upendo over the past 8 months, and for this I cannot thank them enough.
Between them both, amongst a long list of other things, they have secured the piece of land and overseen money transfers from the UK to TZ. Andrew has overseen that all construction work has been completed to the highest possible standard (not an easy task when language barriers and an inconsistant cash flow are considered), taught the children a range of subjects including English and Mathematics, assistedthe children to the health clinic when required, negotiated prices and bought the materials for construction, ensuried the existence of our small shop by providing the capital on a repayment agreement and attended parents' evening for the children at school (Thank you!! I know this was a long event!). Josh helped build relations with the home where our 8th child, Jackie, lives in Morogoro and visited a number of times, keeping in contact with Upendo in the UK, ensuring that everyone is aware of our progress. Finally, a significant amount of time and effort was spent on improving the volunteer household as to be able to accept volunteers here. The house is looking great, they have painted the whole house, ensured running water into the house from the tank (when water pressure is available). Andrew has sorted the electrics and they have both re-done the toilet and shower room so it now has tiles! It really is like walking into a luxury palace compared to when they arrived!
After unpacking and a quick wash, I was happy to show Vicki down to Buswelu corner. We walked the rounds, visiting Christina at her duka and bought a range of fresh fruit and veg from the stalls. After being in the village for a couple of hours and not seeing the children I felt very strange and began counting down the minutes until they would return from church. Finally seeing the children at Baba's house was great. They are all really well and their English is improving all the time. I was also blessed to meet my new little sister, Baba's new baby, Carline. She really is beautiful and such a smiler. Whilst eating dinner with Baba, the perfect picture of Upendo was created; Baba Joshua's wife, Mama Maryam was sat on the floor with all the children gathered around her and Prisca was playing with Baby Carline. She helped them take it in turns to read a short story in English, they sang songs and looked so proud to be a part of the family. There in that moment displayed so much love between our Upendo family. The children had smiles on their faces, food in their bellies, they were continuing their education and were all in good health. I could not have asked for a better evening with them all. After dinner, the children sang their prayers to us and we had lots of cuddles. I left so content and proud.
Monday 30th May 2011 was the day that I revisted the site, and my was I impressed. The building is looking great, a far cry from the field we were presented with 10 months ago, but it also showed what a long way we have to go. Pictures will follow when I get a good enough reception!
We have today continued negotiations with a local land owner who wants to sell us his piece of land that would extend our land and provide us with the essential access we need to the main road in order for construction materials to be delivered to site. I am awaiting his arrival to the house to further negotiations this afternoon and try to agree on a price. Whilst it may not seem essential to buy the land now when the building is incomplete, we must consider our long term plans and if we do not purchase the land now it may not be available to us in the future. I am very happy with the planned purchase, it makes sense to gain access now as to not upset relations with neighbours by crushing their crops!
Tomorrow (Tuesday 31st May 2011) Vicki and I will start our Elective placement at a local health clinic so my time will be distributed between working at the clinic and continuing with Upendo.
I will keep you updated on how this goes.
Lots of love, tutaunana badai xxx
