SEEDS 11 years we must say goodbye

 

After 11 years and many successful projects it is time to say 'GOODBYE AND THANK YOU'

Since COVID it has been impossible to raise funds particularly with the economic struggles that continue in the UK and around the world.  I am, however, thankful to say that we managed to complete successfully all the projects set over 10 years.  It has been an amazing experience and privilege to enable change for the better to so many lives, particularly the children.   

With out the help of funding so generously given over the years by individuals, companies, churches and organisations it would never have been possible. My grateful thanks.

A huge thank you to Rebecca , our administrator, accountant, daughter.  Thank you for all the support from day one and for the acronym SEEDS (schooling, education, enabling and sustainability). You have brought so much joy into the lives of so many people.

To Jacquie our Trustee. and dear friend.   Thank you for your total commitment and raising funds over the years. Most of all the love and fun you have given us all.

And thank you both for giving your time and personal funds to join me on our many trips to Mpwapwa Diocese and our project villages of Chitemo and Nyhinila.  We have met so many wonderful people who have brought such a richness into our lives. It has been life changing. There is so much more I could say but let me finish with - 

A big thank you from the bottom of my heart to all who have been part of                             'SEEDS4tanzania'

and may God bless you.

Rev Canon Yolande Marcussen

Founder and Chair

Memories will always be there for us all with  the hundreds of photographs taken over the years, on the blog 

 SEEDS  is coming to a stand still with our work in Tanzania because funds are low.  However, we are delighted that we managed to successfully complete our three main projects in Chitemo and Nyhinila villages in 2019.   We still have one project and that is to enable  35 Maasai orphans to attend school. (see previous blogs). 

Raising funds has become impossible since COVID due to being unable to go out  and do presentations to stimulate interest and funds.  

The Maasai we support are seriously struggling.  They live in the most rural area with no amenities.  At present they have no  water available as the river beds are dry.  They are having to travel without transport a considerable distance to collect water and also have to pay for it.  They are extremely poor and the situation is  getting  desperate. Due to the lack of water most of their crops have died which means little food and  their cattle are also dying.  

 Deep pit in the river to access water

Normally water  would be accessed by digging into the river bed (see above) some 40 feet down. Someone has to be lowered down by rope to fill buckets of water and then they are hoisted up. There is always the risk of falling in and drowning. Can you just imagine what that must be like?

Until we supported the orphans 4 years ago it would have been impossible for them to attend school.  The Maasai adults in the villages have never had education and do not think it is necessary.   The children attending school has been quite an achievement on our part.  The orphans we support will not be able to continue to attend school after this year as we do not have sufficient funds.  With our other projects we enabled the villages to become self sufficient and take responsibility of the projects but this is not possible with the Maasai at present.  

 It takes only £100 to send a child to school for a year.  This covers their uniform, teaching materials and food.  

If you read this and feel you can help, please contact me.

canonyolande@seeds4tanzania.org - 07794151635 -  THANK YOU

Working together to give children hope for the future.

June 2021 update

 It has been very disappointing that for the past 18 months SEEDS has not been able to move forward with projects.  Tanzania has been off limits for visits and remains so.  Their dealing with the COVID virus has left much to be desired.  In fact very little has been done to help the people although now the Government are asking for help in securing vaccinations. 

The seasonal rains have been extremely heaving which has destroyed many of the crops.  Without crops the food supply is diminished and the people in the rural areas go hungry.

We have continued to help the Maasai orphans with the benefits of education but sadly with COVID raising funds has become almost impossible.  There have been too many problems in the UK for people to consider help for further afield. 

I continue to pray that there will be a solution and that in time the challenges will be dealt with.

As soon as I have any news I shall update the blog.  

Our final Sunday service at Chitemo church 13.10.19

Lets start the service with dance and joyful song

There has to be baptisms

Only 13 today!

There is always laughter

Gifts have been presented to Pastor Festo and Rev Mkali

The 5 hour service is over and we wait to greet  the members of the congregation as they leave

Keep singing

Our cheeky children

The end of a beautiful day

A time to Celebrate 10 years together

October 12 2019 - The official handing over of the projects to the people of Chitemo and Nyhinila villages - 

COME ON AND CELEBRATE

The children awaiting our arrival for the celebration

An awning erected to keep us out of the sun

Celebrations must include music, dance and song a member of the GoGo tribe leads the choir

The GoGo women entertain us

Unveiling the plaque on the Chitemo school

Bishop Jacob, Pastor Festo, Rev Canon Yolande, Rebecca and Chris

Presenting some of our school children with achievement certificates

The very young are part of the musical entertainments

The drums are an important instrument when creating music

And he has his whistle!

Presenting the handover certificates to Bishop Jacob Chimeledya

Teachers present me with a gift of material for a skirt

Trevor is presented with his robe!

Chris is presented with a Maasai robe and staff

Now it is Rebecca's turn

More song and dance

Our five teachers, Ruthu, Elizabeth, Mika, Hagali, & Selina

No it is not the Bishops turn to sing - he is addressing the people about the future 

Some final words

Bishop Jacob presents me with a certificate of appreciation

A child of the future

May the people of Chitemo and Nyhinila villages continue to work together for the future of their children.

ASANTE SANA

Random photographs October 2019

Preparation of food

Boys from Compassion International presented with full football kit

Its raining what a suprise!

A clean classroom to welcome the children

Can I go to school?

The children that capture our hearts

Some of our school children

Who needs a shopping bag?

Help to sponsor a Maasai orphan child

Rev Baraka,Maasai Anglican priest who leads the work with orphans.
his wife Ester and son Matthew

James Maasai leader presents Chris with a goat a great honour 

Presenting us with Maasai robes and bead work

Maasai home

Head Maasai woman

Maasai  

A beautiful Maasai child

Maasai elders

SEEDS is hoping to continue to work with the Maasai people to enable them to have the funds to send the orphan children to school.  The people are very poor and live in a very challenging area with no water bore-holes only what the river provides when there is water.  When the river dries they have to dig down 40 feet or more to find water that is unclean and often leads to water related diseases.  We have given some water filters to help with this problem.  There is often great hunger  because of lack of crops  and SEEDS have donated funds to buy grain.  We hope that we can find sponsorship for the children to enable them to attend school and through education have hope for the future.  The people are working hard to help themselves but need a helping hand until their situation improves.