“THE JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES BEGINS WITH A FIRST STEP” ( Lao-Tze) Six years ago, we embarked on a journey that turned into a great adventure in Tanzania, Africa.  We had no preconceived notions as to where this journey would take us.   It was indeed our first step… one of many that we have taken to build relationships with a community of priests and nuns dedicated to better the lives of the poor in their regions. We are overwhelmed by the continuous work that needs to be done, but are in amazement at the work that has been accomplished upon each of our return trips to Tanzania. Pam, Jake & Jehane traveled to Tanzania this year, leaving Sherry & Sarah at home.  Sherry will be traveling to Tanzania in August with her daughter & a friend and Pam.  Sarah was unable to travel this year, but is already planning next year’s trip with her husband Brian. This year’s trip was short in duration, so we needed to make the most of it.  We had a daily agenda so we could keep up with all of our commitments.  We were able to visit the dispensaries and health centers as well as many of the schools where we are sponsoring students. We saw that AsheEngai dispensary has grown into a Health Center!  They have added a whole new section totheir building, compliments of Wolfgang- a German friend of Fr. Beatus.  It is great to see the outcome of international help in this community and how it ties us all together. We reconnected with Fr. Paulinus at St. Joseph’s VTC.  He remains full of life and seems to be quite content and happy.  We were able to donate soccer uniforms to the school (shorts, jerseys and socks) donated by Andrea Maynard & the AYSO.  We are so grateful and thankful to them. Two of our sponsored students graduated from the VTC.  They were given a toolbox and a knitting machine as graduation gifts.  Both students expressed their gratitude and appreciation for their new found trade and the ability to make a living out of it. Knitted hats donated by Julie Salas were given to children at the dispensaries we visited.  Rosaries made by the Mt. Carmel Rosary Group were distributed at each Sunday Mass we attended.  Both the hats and rosaries were very well received.   As in prior years, we each brought a suitcase (or two) full of discarded medical items.   From gauze, needles, syringes and other instruments, everything was distributed between each of the medical facilities we serve.  A total of 200lbs of school and medical supplies were brought with us in our suitcases. During this year’s trip, we made sure to perform a “check and balance” on the students in our scholarship program.  We want to make sure they continue to perform well, to help promote a sense of accomplishment within themselves so they can be proud of what they achieve.     “YOU MUST HAVE CONTROL OF THE AUTHORSHIP OF YOUR OWN DESTINY.  THE PEN THAT WRITES YOUR LIFE MUST BE HELD IN YOUR OWN HAND.” C. Kassorla.   Over the past year we have committed ourselves to sponsor 44 students, with one student pending, waiting for exam results.  Over $27K was spent on Scholarships.  Unfortunately school fees have increased 10% to 20% over the last year.   Since we value education for each of these students, we had to make the necessary adjustments to our budget so we could honor our commitments.  Education is the key to unlocking the door to the future for some of these kids… it is a chance of a lifetime, all made possible thanks to your donations. We spent $18K on our Health commitments, granting $4K to each dispensary for medications and equipment in addition to granting Niruvande School $1,265 to assist in building a dormitory for the orphan children who attend the school.  Please keep in mind that up to 3-4 children share a bed during the night.  We provided the school with a small donation of food, brought and distributed some school supplies and gave soccer balls to the kids. We thank Eli for taking us to Niruvande as well as shopping in Arusha.  Jonas, our cook at Sabuko joined us for this day’s excursion.  Although it was his day off, he decided he would join us for our planned activities.  We hope we made it worthwhile for him. We were happy to be able to reconnect with Fr. Henry.  He had been on sabbatical in Canada last year and we had missed seeing him.  We are glad he is back and wish him the best in his new projects. What can we say about our friends at Sabuko (Fr. Beatus, Fr. Calistus, Fr. Amadeus, Fr. Jerome, Fr. Gervas, Fr. Henry Mushi), our friends at Soweto (Fr. Antipas, Fr. Innocent), Fr. Priscus, Fr. Festus and last but not least Fr. Paulinus?  We can’t forget to mention the nuns at Kiraeni, AsheEngai, Charlotte, NgareNairobi and Sister Matthias.  You are all dear to us in a special way.  You have adopted us and we feel honored to be part of your extended family.  We thank you for your continued prayers and guidance in the work we do amongst you.  Father Beatus says it well in his youtube presentation, ” We are poor people, we have nothing but we are willing to share with you our poverty.” “WE ARE TREATED AS POOR YET ENRICHING MANY; AS HAVING NOTHING AND YET POSSESSING ALL THINGS.” Cor 6: 8,10 Our journey ends with a dream, a wish, a commitment made to the Lekrumuni community.  It is the hope to help build a dispensary for this Maasai community.  It is a big request, but the needs are there.  We have made a commitment of $15K to get this project started.  We hope we can join hands and make this a reality for them.   Please join us at our fundraising event on June 23rd at the San Mateo Elks Lodge.  We wish to share our journey with you to help bring change and hope to our families and friends in Tanzania, by improving their lives with health & education, one child at a time. Sincerely, Your travelers:  Pam, Jake & Jehane