2009-01-06T03:44:21Z LIA-Team Copyright 2009, LIA-Team SPHPBLOG UK2008 story from the Stories page of the website

Thank you and with Best Wishes for 2009 from the webmaster]]> http://www.lightinafrica.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry081228-010936 2008-12-28T00:00:00Z 2008-12-28T00:00:00Z
It has been well over 4 weeks since my last write up on the blogg, and so much has happened it is hard to know just where to begin......

So I will start with our amazing Christmas Party in Mirerani on the 20th Dec. where we fed 585 children and adults, and Paul our webmaster will follow up with a link with the photo's and text of my trip to the UK. (select UK2008 from the Stories page on the website)

We knew it was going to be a long tiring day as we transported extra staff into the mining area of Mirerani, to prepare the 60 kilo of meat, rice, and all the vegetables and fruit for the Food Kitchens Christmas Party.

Kirsty Stuart, a volunteer with us, I think, was a little taken aback at the basic nature of how food is prepared in the open, with a group of ladies sat on drums nattering to each other under the shade of a tree. The men given the job of cutting all the meat into cubes.

The start of the dinner was organised for 2pm for the adult HIV/AIDS group to eat first..... the blind guests arrived first at 9am not wanting to miss out on anything, and then we heard the street
children gathering outside.




Some children waited 6 hours for the christmas meal and a gift. I managed to take photo's of the first group of people coming in for there meal, but as it was 'all hands on deck' thereafter, I completely forgot to take any photo's of the children.

We also invited local leaders to attend the lunch, and I mentioned that this was our third year working with the people of Manyara Region.
As the children lined up we made a note of the street children who attended in rags and had no shoes. After xmas Grace our Social Worker will go and assess their situation, to see what help we can give them and to get them back into education.







After all the staff had left, I still had a further 50 clients to attend to who required money for transport so they could obtain there anti-retro drugs from Arusha town. With being away for 4 weeks they had not received any funding. So with Ramesha our oldest boy home from school ( how did he grow so tall and become such a handsome young man) as my interpretor, we gradually worked through the long line of men and women, and at 7pm we closed the door, thankful that everything had gone wonderfuly well and the children were extatic at receiving a gift of clothes or school materials or for the young child a soft toy.

An overnight stay at Fleeze House brought early morning visitors to the centre, and during the morning I accomodated two children. The first an 8 year old Albino child whose father and mother brought her to me for protection from the witch doctor's and the second an 18 month old boy whose mother was to sick with Aids to care for him any longer, and so everyday the work of Light in Africa is growing, including our faith that God will provide for all of His children and meet all of our needs.

I thank and bless you all for your commitment to Light in Africa during this year. Without your help we would have great difficulty in helping over 12,000 children and adults alone this year with medical and social assistance.

HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS TIME AND REMEMBER GOD IS ABOVE ANY MAN-MADE RECESSION, HE IS THE AWESOME GOD THAT WE SERVE AT LIGHT IN AFRICA.

MUNGU AKURBERIKI......MAMA LYNN
]]> http://www.lightinafrica.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry081222-225146 2008-12-22T00:00:00Z 2008-12-22T00:00:00Z LIA is now offering the chance to reserve a wonderfull calendar for 2009. The calendar (A4 size) outlines the work of mama Lynn and the staff team and Jake Lyell, the photographer, captures the work beautifully in his photographs of the children and out reach programs.

Click here Volunteering @ LIA to email to Mama Gemma with details of the delivery address the calendars are to be forwarded to. Choice of payments can be by cheque made payable to Light In Africa and sent to:
LIA, P.O. Box 84, Immingham, North East Lincs, DN40 1WU, UK or
alternatively use the Paypal button on the donations page of the website and specify "Calendar" and full mailing address. The cost of the calendars for delivery to a UK address is £7.00 or equivalent in local currency. Please add £1.00 for delivery outside of UK. Thank you.]]> http://www.lightinafrica.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry081221-194459 2008-12-21T00:00:00Z 2008-12-21T00:00:00Z
I am over here in the UK for the following 4 weeks, and Laura has been very busy making arrangements for me to speak about the work of Light in Africa, up and down the country. At present, it's swirling snow!!! and I really don't do cold or snow anymore having lived in around 28 degrees for the last 8 years, so I'm shrivelling up like a wizoned old prune.

I might not have time to respond to all my correspondence with being on the move so much, but please have patience with me and I will respond eventually.

As I was preparing to leave for the Kilimanjaro airport, Dr. Minja rang me to say, would we accomodate a 5 month old little Albino child, as the father had bad intentions for the child's life. When the mother found out she had ran for safety to Dr. Minja's surgery.
Sister Grace was going to collect the child on Monday, and bring the child into care. The above photo shows our new little ones who are based at Fleeze House. The majority of these babies have been abandoned.

Have a blessed week.

mama Lynn

]]> http://www.lightinafrica.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry081123-215622 2008-11-23T00:00:00Z 2008-11-23T00:00:00Z Do you remember the blog message from October 18... well here is a picture of some of the elderly now cared for with dignity by Light in Africa]]> http://www.lightinafrica.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry081116-135107 2008-11-16T00:00:00Z 2008-11-16T00:00:00Z http://www.lightinafrica.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry081101-004651 2008-10-31T00:00:00Z 2008-10-31T00:00:00Z REQUESTING HELP FROM RETIRED OR ANY TEACHERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO ASSIST IN OUR CHILDREN'S SCHOOL

This is a request from the Manager of the private school that many of our boarders and children attend.

The school would like to change from a Tanzanian curriculum to have International status. To make this change they would like overseas teachers to come over and assist them with the new English curriculum.

All basic needs will be met as well as accommodation. ( I can guarantee you will not go hungry; all of our boarders have gained weight and it is the only school I know which regularly has meat on it's menu !)

Anyone requiring further information, please contact me and I will pass the relevant details on.

Many thanks, mama lynn]]> http://www.lightinafrica.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry081101-002625 2008-10-31T00:00:00Z 2008-10-31T00:00:00Z
This year I also had a celebration when the District Commissioner Mama Hasna invited me to have lunch with other guests when the Prime Minister Honorable Peter Pinda, was in the area for a 5 day visit.
After a delicious lunch, I was introduced to the Prime Minister by local MP Fuya Kimbiti. I explained to the PM that two hours previous, I had just accepted two more HIV/AIDS children into our care who had been sent by the local hospital. Both their parents had died and the children were living with a stepfather who was uncaring about them.... After many questions about LIA he said to ask if the Government could assist me with anything and also he would very much like to visit the Tudor Village site on his next return to the area.

Over the last year we have been blessed with a visit by the President's wife Mama Salma Kikwete to our nursery, lunch with the President and now I have met the new Prime Minister the Hon. Mr. P. Pinda. Quite a lot goes on from this little spot on the globe, don't you think?

mama Lynn]]> http://www.lightinafrica.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry081101-002234 2008-10-31T00:00:00Z 2008-10-31T00:00:00Z
People come to visit with us either as volunteers or they have just 'dropped in' because someone has mentioned LIA to them. Throughout the year we show many, many people our childrens' homes. And what happens when they return home is that they may decide to fundraise or do something to help and support our children. They don't forget about us. In 2002 I had a visit from a medical student who accompanied me and all of our little ones to a local clinic, he left, and I didn't here anything from him for over a year. The next email I received was to say he was getting married and that instead of wedding presents he and his future wife were asking their guests to donate to LIA instead of buying household goods.
This wonderful 'love gift' occured, and the loving couple now have two young children and still financially help us.

Last week, we also saw this sacrifice of love when another couple also forgo there gifts for themselves and instead asked there guests to give to a childrens' home in Africa..... it utterly amazes me, and my heart is full of wonderment at what they have done. I know my God will reward you for your selfless giving. Thank you.
Please log on to our celebration page and see their beautiful wedding picture.

mama Lynn]]> http://www.lightinafrica.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry081101-001752 2008-10-31T00:00:00Z 2008-10-31T00:00:00Z
Mama Lynn]]> http://www.lightinafrica.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry081101-001518 2008-10-31T00:00:00Z 2008-10-31T00:00:00Z At 8 years of age, he had a spot that he picked on his leg, the spot became infected, and as the family had no means of sending him to a doctor, over the following 20 years he had to suffer in severe pain, until Light in Africa and its volunteers agreed to help.
The doctors at the hospital in Arusha were unable to save his leg and it was amputated last week below the knee.
When the stump has healed he will be discharged into our care, where we shall try to obtain a prosthetic leg for him and find him work that he can do.

At present we have another man with us whose leg has been broken since July, when a vehicle ran into a wall and it collapsed on top of him.
The X-ray shows one shattered bone on top of the other....... how these people cope with the pain begger's belief.

Here is a picture of him and his broken leg; let's wish him well and that his pains will soon be over


]]> http://www.lightinafrica.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry081029-233154 2008-10-29T00:00:00Z 2008-10-29T00:00:00Z
...incredible that it is already three weeks ago that we has our summer celebration for LIA.

It has been such a great celebration....imagine, we have been so blessed having Lucy, Lyanne and Jule with us that day...and of course a lot more: friends, family and interested people.

The party took place in the hall of the Schiller-Gymnasium where mama Lynn one held a memorable speech. We decorated the whole room with around 50 Kangas...wow...what a colourful picture:-)...everybody loved it!!!

The buffet which was offered to the guests was donated by many busy and lovely helpers..it looked great...and it tasted like that.
The evening started with a percussion-performance followed by Mariama, a really wonderful unplugged singer...just she and her guitar.
The tombola which took place during the whole evening has been very successfull...

After we two introduced LIA together with Lucy to the people, we showed two video-presentations, which were very much liked....and then the party began: a friend of Josie Menasse is a professional DJ and he just let us dance through the night

Really...it was a very nice and successful.
Sawa...enough for today...
We hope that you are all fine and having a brilliant evening!

With two sunny smiles

Josefin and Linda


]]> http://www.lightinafrica.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry081026-172917 2008-10-26T00:00:00Z 2008-10-26T00:00:00Z http://www.lightinafrica.org/pictures.html and click on GertJan (2008) in the left hand menu.
Enjoy and let's be thankful for what is being achieved.]]> http://www.lightinafrica.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry081019-224824 2008-10-19T00:00:00Z 2008-10-19T00:00:00Z
Just a few lines of what has happened over the last few weeks for our many volunteers who have been with us over this last year.

PAMELA IS WALKING ....... this news should bring a smile to everyone who has tried to encourage our little 3 year old to walk; she arrived in February, very sick, and not expecting to live, but now, after a few set-backs, she is away, she walked in to the surgery to see our local doctor, who said:= Mungu Wangu (My God) her brother is now living at the 'big house'.

At three years of age this child arrived in February skeletal. She is now walking and thriving, thank God.


Last week, I had a visit from a councillor from one of the villages that my daughter used to visit on a regular basis. We often hold out-reach dispensaries there so Light in Africa is well-know for helping local residents with house builds and medical assistance. This time Mama Zazibu came to see me for something quite different.
She had 28 elderly people who had no support, no family and no food. 21 had no shelter to call a home. I said I would visit and access the situation. With Sister Grace and our social worker, I drove to the outlaying village.
Under a tree, I met these poor people who had been placed in groups of greatest need. I spoke to them, and they in turn passed there greeting on to mama Gemma (Laura) I was then taken to where one of the men had made a shelter....
It was approx 4' off the ground, made of branches and covered with plastic and skins, he had to crawl like a snake into the hole and then pull some thorns over the door way so animals didn’t enter in the night. It was pitiful, to see a human being sink to this level. We returned to the group and distributed rice, tea, sugar and biscuits. Mama Zazibu spoke to the group and said that mama Lynn will take three people with her to-day.
Quickly, an old man stood up, and said, I'm going, and you can't stop me Mama Zazibu; this brought a ripple of laughter as he shuffled his way to our car.
Another two gentlemen, walked forward. I said I would look to see what I could do to help all the others. On arrival at Mailisita, Mama Koupee (Treasurer of LIA) had been asked to prepare three beds, they were quite emotional when they saw a bed with a mattress, sheets and blankets. It must have been like a taste of paradise, after sleeping in the bush.
Kelvin, one of our young men, went into the room to see if they needed anything and switched on the light:- AHHH one of them cried out. IT'S A BRIGHT LIGHT; JESUS MUST BE COMING BACK.....
Kelvin explained that this was called electricity, and it could be turned on and off with this switch. Much suspicion was given to it, and all three had to have a try at turning it on and off. "It's magic, one said, should we touch it,? The light was left on all night for them to get used to their bearings and this new fangled thing called electricity.....

You see, it is not only orphans who need loving care, but also the many elderly people who are left with no family to support them. Many friends know about the sacrificial love that has to do with leaving my own mother in the UK, instead of having her live with me in Africa. Sometimes it has been very painful for me to bear. In November / December I shall be visiting the UK to celebrate my mother's 100th birth date. I think the best birthday present that my mother would approve of would be for me to help all these 28 elderly people. So that their remainder of life is spent without the struggle of begging for food each and every day, and to know if they’re sick they will be cared for, and all of there needs will be met.

Be blessed and refreshed - mama Lynn
]]> http://www.lightinafrica.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry081019-204919 2008-10-19T00:00:00Z 2008-10-19T00:00:00Z Happiness (10 months)
I could not resist sharing this cute little darling's picture, now in the good care of mama Lynn after having been abandoned at Fleeze House/Light in Africa
]]> http://www.lightinafrica.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry081009-221031 2008-10-09T00:00:00Z 2008-10-09T00:00:00Z

Tudor homes 1 and 2


We were delighted to have Gert-Jan Guerts from Holland who was with us for the day and he saw a plaque laid on Bungalow No 2, that he and his team had raised funds to build, with over 200 visitors to the site, it was a really exciting day for our children, who performed or the local officials and the Uhuru Torch Committee.

When everyone had left the site, the children came into house no 1 and started singing there hearts out, it was such a joy to hear them sing, song after song, expressing there feelings that soon we would all be together on one site.

Pastor Frank Titus, who is the Project Manager for the site, has worked so hard to complete these bungalows which will house our children in small numbers instead of having over 50 in one facility.

On Friday, I visited Fleeze House as I had heard we had taken in another child. This tiny little girl came into care as both her parents are alcholics, and they had been drinking and got into a fight. The husband picked up a machete and intended to cut his wife, who in turn picked up the child and held her in front of herself to protect her, the 10 month old child who weighs just 4 kilo's was injured on her foot. She was taken for treatment at the local doctors who refused to give the child back to her mother, and he brought her to Fleeze House, she is the sweetest little thing you can imagine, so our staff our now busy building her up, although she is 10 month's old she can not sit or stand....

have a blessed new week,
mama Lynn
]]> http://www.lightinafrica.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry081004-213438 2008-10-04T00:00:00Z 2008-10-04T00:00:00Z
Firstly, we had quite an emergency 10 days ago, when Mathew one of our volunteers from Newcastle started with severe pain in his side. The most alarming thing to see was him literally fainting with the sheer force of the pain.
He was rushed to KCMC our local hospital where his appendix was removed at 1am. He has the proof of it sitting in a bottle which I am sure he will take home to show his mum. He is now recovered and we thank the medical staff at the hospital who where so attentive to Mathews needs.



At the request of a Ward Secretary I was asked to travel 35 kilometers into the bush in a remote area. The drive there was horrendous as I had to negotiate thick dust and river beds.
I was taken to meet the local maasai chairman and the director who made me warmly welcome. They showed me a locked up house where a school teacher who was pregnant had recently died in childbirth. 'How on earth do you access medical health care in this area' I asked 'We don't, there is no Doctor here' 'But how would you get someone to a
dispensary I continued, like a sick child or a pregnant women. "We only have a bullock and cart, that is our only method of transport ........ "
I was then taken to a mud/stick hut where I was shown 5 chiildren with their legs distorted due to drinking water high in fluoride. I left them food and knew I would have to return. I arrange to hold two dispensaries and these have now taken place.
Three of the older children are now to go into hospital at the end of this month for surgery on there legs, the smaller children are to come into care, as in the village they have no access to any fruits or vegetables and so their diet is so poor, the majority of the children are severely malnourished.
At the last dispensary which was held this week, a twenty year old man arrived with a tropical ulcer.
The volunteers were shocked to see infection clear through to the bone. He had tried to heal it by purchasing some penicillin tablets, crushing them, and placing them on the wound. Next week he will move to Mailisita so he can receive medical attention.

I really at the moment, do not know how I will impliment a food kitchen which is desperately needed there to save the lives of these children and adults, or how we can assist the village with desperately needed medical care, but we are praying that this can be accomplished.

Be blessed and refreshed,
mama Lynn
]]> http://www.lightinafrica.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080914-230039 2008-09-14T00:00:00Z 2008-09-14T00:00:00Z They managed to put together a very exciting program including a video about their stay with LIA and more ... much more!
Everyone is invited so for those interested you can find more details here (in German)]]> http://www.lightinafrica.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080907-204300 2008-09-07T00:00:00Z 2008-09-07T00:00:00Z summertime and the summer holidays.

Just some updates for you on some of the stories I wrote about
previously, which are now in the archives.

Firstly, the story about the mama who had given birth to twins at 7
months premature, and the mad dash that Pastor Frank and I had to make
to the hospital with the surviving baby and the sick mother........
I'm delighted to say, that mother and baby were released from
hospital last week and are both doing very well.

The story that Peter wrote about when he was with me in Mirerani,
where a mother who had given birth to a one month old baby and had no
support or anywhere to live and had become mentaly ill, is now living
with her mother and receiving medical treatment, her two children are
still in the care of LIA.

Once again, I was visiting Dr. Minja's surgery when we heard this
horrendous screaming coming closer to the surgery. Dr. Minja dashed
out to find a 2 year old child badly burnt front and back from boiling
water.....He asks me as I have the vehicle, will I take the child to
hospital..... 4 hours of immense suffering and pain, the child was at
last given an injection to numb the pain. This accident could have
been avoided, in my opinion, if a) the mother had been there with the
child, and b) the little round floor standing fires where banned, we
have three children in our centers who were all burnt by these small
kitchen fires, they are the same height as the children, and as they
start to walk and toddle they fall on these pans which are preparing
food and burn.

I am taken to a remote area in the bush, and see a family of 6
children, all badly disabled from drinking water at the village well
which is so high in fluor. They are just sitting there,
unable to walk, with no food to eat. I purchase some rice and fish,
and vegetable for the following 25 days where they can go to the shop
and receive 1 kilo per day. We are operating a new dispensary in this
village for the first time this week, so we are wondering what other
children we will see who are suffering. I was also shown the school,
where the teacher had recently died in childbirth, and the only method
of transport was bullock and cart to get to the nearest dispensary,
but unfortunately it was too late.

The bungalows at Tudor Village are going up at a tremendous rate, it
is just so exciting to see all the volunteers hard at work, the
children are getting really excited about the eventual move. I have
just purchased the curtains for the first house so when they are made
and up, I will take photo's to show you all how wonderful the site is.
be blessed and refreshed, mama lynn
]]> http://www.lightinafrica.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080827-215550 2008-08-27T00:00:00Z 2008-08-27T00:00:00Z
We're delighted to share the volunteer stories of Marilyn and Peter who both visited us earlier this year.

Please visit the main web page at http://www.lightinafrica.org.
From there, click the lovely children picture and then select from the menu: Volunteers - Volunteer Stories
and read the new pages (marked with an asterix)

We know you are all eager to read about what goes on so you will certainly enjoy these pages.
]]> http://www.lightinafrica.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080805-211918 2008-08-05T00:00:00Z 2008-08-05T00:00:00Z