Project update!

Hello hello,

It is a beautiful Friday in Tanzania! When I am done writing this blog I will be going to a local market to buy fresh tomatoes, oranges (they are more green than orange here), and some fresh bananas for breakfast tomorrow. I always enjoy picking up a bag of sugarcane to chew and spit on the way home.

Something great happened today! Last year when I volunteered I purchased a new wheelchair for a disabled girl, Ellie. When she was a baby she got sick and her family couldn't afford the proper treatments for her. She suffered seizures that left her unable to speak, walk, drink, or eat on her own. She is about 12 years old. When I met her last in June 2006 she had outgrown her wheelchair, but was still using it. It was rare for her to ever go outside. I gave the money needed for a new wheelchair to a fellow volunteer as I had to leave the next day. I left hoping the money would make back to Ellie. Well today I found out it did! I saw Ellie and she looked much much better then what I remembered. Her mom was very thankful and it seems to have made their life much easier. Ellie and her mom were even able to escort me when I left. It definitely made my day, maybe even my whole trip.



I have also been able to visit the newlands orphanage. In the next week or two I plan on posting photos. The donations raised currently totals $1190.00!! This means that there is a lot of work that can be completed. The orphanage desperately needs the boys dorm to be finished. It houses about 30 boys. Next week fellow volunteers and I will finish painting the dorms. I plan on using the money to purchase doors and to install electricity. I don't think that there are currently enough beds or mattresses so I may be using the money for those also. It is all very exciting and I can't wait to post photots!!

I am also working with another volunteer to teach English to group of 30 children. They are either orphans or come from very poor families. About 8 or 9 of the children have ring worm, a fungus that grow on their head. It can be itchy and highly contagious. This weekend I will be using some of the funds donated by you to pay for ring worm treatment cream. I think it will only cost about 10 USD to treat all of the children. So again, thank you for that!

Tanzania is an amazing country and I would encourage everyone to come and visit. The people are wonderful, the weather is great, the food is delicious, and wildlife is incredible. I can't wait to see an elephant again!

Thanks for reading!

Tyler