I have now returned to Tanzania, I just managed to leave before all the snow fell and flights were canceled. When the aircraft doors opened at the Kili airport it was just like the heat of an open oven hitting you. This is the hottest time of the year here in Tanzania, so different from the dark grey skies of Europe.
I was able to attend my mother's 101st birthday party, which was very special, and then it was the Christmas ball. So much effort had gone into making it a huge success, so many thanks to Laura of Nations Together, daughter in law Lou and my son Aidrian, who put up with me at their home, Debbie, Allison, Claire and the team, and all the many supporters who had provided raffle prizes, and other gifts, Vinney was the compere for the evening and so many volunteers arrived from all over the country, (even Suzanne from Germany). It was a very special time for everyone to 'catch up'. Reece and Michael worked hard on the PowerPoint presentation on the work of Light in Africa which was very emotional.
And a 'special thanks' to our webmaster Paul, and my long-term friends, who always treat me to a carvery at a nice restaurant. Memories are made of these times together.
When I look back over the year, it always amazes me how God has moved Light in Africa up another notch. This year we have accomodated even more children, and opened another children's home and a primary school. In January 2010 another home will open in another region, all this is accomplished without any marketing of LIA. But through word of mouth. Visitors or volunteers who go away and tell family and friends about their experiences at a children's home in Tanzania. It humbles and encourages me to do much more for these desperate children and the community. Words fail me to express my sincere appreciation for the gracious gifts that 'friends of Light in Africa' provide.
Without your continued support we would find it hard to help so many children and adults with shelter, food, medical care and surgery.
So, from the children and staff, we salute you all for your great kindness to us in supporting us through another year.
Warmest wishes and heartfelt thanks,
mama Lynn
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Hello dear family, friends and supporters of Light in Africa,
What a whirlwind, amazing time that I have recently enjoyed. My feet have hardly had time to hit the airport tarmac before I have had to dash of to train and bus stations, our Light in Africa volunteers in Germany and Holland and Scotland and the Uk have arranged for me to meet some amazing new people who have asked to meet with me. I have already met with over 1000 school children and students and I have still some more schools to visit. It has been a wonderful time, and I wish to thank all those very kind people who have hosted me at their homes and given me a 'true' taste of the many delicacies of there countries. My taste buds are 'droooling' just thinking of all those delights.
I have already visited Sheffield and Newcastle Universities where I was able to meet with some of our past volunteers and to meet new ones intending to volunteer in 2010..... I am amazed at what some of our volunteers get upto in there attempts to raise funds which they will spend on children and the community when they arrive in Tanzania.
Just to give you an idea.....Some guys from Sheffield are cycling from John.o.Groats to Landsend, (approx. 1000 miles) Sky dives, Absails from bridges, Walking through hot coals, silent auctions, Jarrord my grandson, (12yrs) is going to attempt to break his record of 170 dives in 1 hour, amazing, Mary & Brian have just registered for their marathon swims, holistic week-ends, besides the many coffee mornings and pampering days that occur each month. It truly is awesome what our committee members and volunteers will do to help the orphans of Tanzania.
Tomorrow I'm off again, this time to the Dorset area, and Southhampton, so will catch up with you again later.
Spotted this quote on a Buds to Bloom calendar.
A FRIEND IS SOMEONE WHO KNOWS THE SONG IN YOUR HEART, AND SINGS IT BACK TO YOU WHEN YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN THE WORDS.
Thank you to all my dear friends who keep encouraging me when things get a little 'scary'.
Abundant Blessings,
mama Lynn
NOTE: we are participating in the BBC MyStory competition. Click Here to visit the site and if you like it, you can even vote.
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This picture is of Mary & Brian Clark who are such wonderful supporters of Light in Africa. Each year Mary swims in the cold cold waters of Lake Windermere in the UK to raise funds for our children.This year Mary was joined by her husband Brian, who last year was too sick to compete. It is a joy to see you both looking stunning in your wet suits! Mary & Brian raised 500 pounds from there swim.
Bless You Both For Your Exhausting Endeavours.
Mama Lynn
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Today exactly 10 years ago mama Lynn got on a plane to see if God really wanted her to go to Tanzania.
And we all know the story: many lives, those of beneficiaries as well as volunteers and sponsors, changed thanks to her conviction and energy.
Please join me in congratulation mama Lynn with all achievements and remember her in your thoughts.
My thoughts are with those in need and I am grateful to be part of the wonderful LiA world to continue to make a difference.
Paul
LiA webmaster
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Mama Lynn asked me to inform you that with immediate effect her only email account in use is: africa@lightinafrica.org
Her other email accounts on Hotmail and Yahoo have been closed.
Have a great day!
Paul, LIA webmaster
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Hi everyone,
Granny Annie came to volunteer with us a couple of years ago. A lady of mature years, she had pink hair, wore odd shoes, was a total extrovert and the children loved her outlandish ways. She broke the mold as how a bibi (grandmother) should look or behave. Today she posted me a bouquet with some pearls of wisdom that I would like to share with you all. Thanks Annie.
Happiness keeps you sweet,
Trials keep you strong,
Sorrows keep you human,
Failures keep you humble
Success keeps you glowing,
But ..... Only .... Friends
Keep you going.
Sometimes I am motivated to make changes which, I have to admit, leave Light in Africa staff, the present volunteers or dare I say even our webmaster, somewhat bewildered, and at a loss as to why I have done something.
A recent case in question was when we were told to expect El Nino to severly hit the Kilimanjaro and Manyara region with strong winds and heavy rain.. Having previously experienced the floods in Mirerani, where miners lost there lives, and there was much distruction, and with the Tanzanian Government issueing directives for all people living in the lowlands to move out of the area, and having so many babies and toddlers at Fleeze House, I made the decision to evacuate the little tots and move them to the empty Mailisita House as in the event of a disaster, we could not handle so many small children.
Two weeks after the move, we were contacted and asked to rescue 21 children from a home near Arusha where the landlord had arrived and locked up the three rooms where the 21 children (3 children being disabled) were staying and they had been forced to sleep outside on the balcony. A very dangerous situation as elephants often moved around the area, and of course there is always the hyenas. This was due to the Pastor being unable to pay the rent for the last 5 months.
Our social worker Grace, and Pastor Frank, hired a dala dala and brought all the children to the empty Fleeze House, where they were all examined and very very happy to come into light in africa's care.
A suitable home is now being looked for to enable the children to return to the Arusha area and attend school.
God works in mysterious ways, sometimes we just have to have the faith to 'just do it'.
The last time we were asked to take in 24 children in one go, God provided in an amazing way. Likewise, he has done the same this time by a ladies German group donating some funds for the first time. It was gratefully appreciated, it answered our need to help these children.
Now some updates on the projects that our volunteers were working on.
Lighthouse Children's Home & Primary School.
From the photographs (below), you will be able to see that everything has gone ahead as planned. The facility has been secured with a high wall and a new metal gate. The toilet block and shower room is all plumbed in, the bedrooms which were all painted and tiled look great, the double decker beds we did have a little problem with in getting them through the door, but eventually, mission accomplished. The kitchen has only to be painted inside, the lounge and classroom looks great, the desks and chairs are all in and we are now employing two teachers, the school will soon be registered, and this will be the start of next years building program, where Yazmeen Ali and her team in Aberdeenshire are committing to fundraise to build a new purpose
built school.
Amani Farm.
All is well on the farm, and the water has been connected - the pregnant pigs are getting fatter, and Marcus is hopeful for litters of 8 - 10 which will increase the number to about 50 pigs. Great job everyone, thank you all so much for the teamwork, and the contribution you have all made to Light in Africa this year.
Babus
As written in a previous post, the babus (grandfathers) who stayed with us in Mailisita, found a new home in Lerai, a maasai village supported by Light in Africa. The promised pictures are now included.
Last Item.
Sophie, my granddaughter, (whom I believe every volunteer knows from Facebook) was tested as having a very high white blood count whilst
with me in Tanzania. I accompanied her back to the UK for further tests, and after a course of treatment she is now fine.
I was supposed to arrive in the UK around 24th November with our chairman and Pastor Frank, having first visited our Light in Africa volunteers in Germany and Holland.
With the change of plans, if anyone would like me to support any of there fundraising events I would be happy to visit with them,and explain to there supporters the work we are involved in.
Please contact Laura on Nations Together who is administering the
itinerary for further information.
Area's I will be visiting are: Germany (Cologne), Netherlands (Amsterdam), UK: Aberdeen, Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield, Hull, Dorset area.
Abundant blessings,
mama Lynn
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THE GLOW THAT ILLUMINATES, AND THE GLARE THAT OBSCURES.
Dear Family and Friends,
I start this blogg with an apology for my absence in responding to emails, but at present due to the drought, we are having major power cuts daily. At present I am writing this blogg in the early hours of the morning as it is the only time for the network to post the mail..... I have a lot to tell you this week.
******
We are so thrilled with our new addition to Tudor Children's Village, which is a wonderful - state of the art playground for our children -
We have seen immeasurable dedication to complete this project by a team of young volunteers from the Bristol area of the UK.
Last December, whilst on tour in the UK, I met up with a young man named Ollie with two of his friends who travelled to meet up with me for discussion about a possibility of building a new playground at Tudor when they arrived in Africa around June to September. I gave my suggestions that I really would like swing boats for our disabled children so they good watch the movement of the sky.
The team arrived - male and female - and started work on the site which was all rock! After braking many tools, and working all hours with night lights there dedication and commitment to complete on time resulted with an opening ceremony to shouts of joy and delight from our many children, followed by two days later, two coaches arriving from a school in Moshi with 130 students, who also enjoyed the many 'fun' things to do..... A wonderful accomplishment, well done.
Volunteers who come to Light in Africa, make such a positive difference to the lives of our children and the community. Words fail me to express our appreciation to them all.
******
This week we have broken new records!!! with the most amount of patients being treated in just three outreach dispensaries.
Lee Harding from the USA, who adopted one of LIA children, his mum Debbie and friend Lisa purchased a large amount of drugs from their project money to help the poor in some of the remotest area's imaginable. Deep trenches of choking dust, not one blade of grass, skeletal cows, greeted them as they trundled along in a landrover to reach these villages. With our trusted local doctor and nurse, they have treated over 600 patients - 310 in one day! plus a seminar for the local maasai on HIV/AIDS. This resulted in them receiving lovely beeded work crosses as a gift of appreciation.
What a wonderful expression of love to the poor and needy.
Mama Lynn
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This week we have broken new records!!! with the most amount of patients being treated in just three outreach dispensaries.
Lee Harding from the USA, who adopted one of LIA children, his mum Debbie and friend Lisa purchased a large amount of drugs from their project money to help the poor in some of the remotest area's imaginable. Deep trenches of choking dust, not one blade of grass, skeletal cows, greeted them as they trundled along in a landrover to reach these villages. With our trusted local doctor and nurse, they have treated over 600 patients - 310 in one day! plus a seminar for the local maasai on HIV/AIDS. This resulted in them receiving lovely beeded work crosses as a gift of appreciation.
What a wonderful expression of love to the poor and needy.
Mama Lynn
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You are all such wonderful people wishing the very best for our children. And already we get regular questions about the option to send gifts for the holiday season. Only when this remains limited to
a good size envelop and clearly marked gift, it should pass through customs without any serious issues..
However, anything bigger gets held up and we will be asked to pay for customs duies and taxes. Nothing unusual, but we cannot afford to spend out donor money on such charges. Such packages are to be avoided.
We count on your understanding and like to thank you for your continued fine support.
Asante sana!
Paul
webmaster
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This time we like to refer you to a good overview story of the Light in Africa Medical Outreach program in the Kilimanjaro region.
Jake Lyell, photographer, has written a well illustrated story on his blog.
Click here and scroll down to the article titled Limited Access: healh care in rural Tanzania
While most of our readers prepare for autumn & winter, Tanzania is embracing for the potential effects of El Niño which is said to be potentially hazardous for the East African communities th2 next few months. As we prepare for it, we'll keep you informed through this weblog.
Asante Sana
Paul
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