On the sixth day before Xmas . . .
On the sixth day before Christmas there was a young Aussie named Michael and his Mom Rebecca . . . a number of years ago a young man named Michael, volunteered with us here at Tumaini. He was moved by our cause, our principles and of course our children to do more than just “visit”. He enlisted his mother and began Tumaini Australia. www.tumaini-australia.org. “Kaka” Michael, “Mama” Rebecca, “Dada” Rachel, and other family members and friends have returned to Tumaini several times. Michael climbed Kilimanjaro in a fundraising drive. They sponsor our own little Gerehad, have helped two outreach families here in Usa River and direct their fundraising efforts towards helping us to build a school one day. Asante . . . sana.
And on the fifth day, there was a young lady named Tine . . . from Belgium. Tine, after volunteering with us went home and immediately began the arduous application process to obtain charitable status in Belgium and has brought life to Tumaini Belgium www.tuchifo-belgium.org. Dada Tine has returned to Tumaini several times. Tuchifo Belgium sponsors Anna AND Goodluck and has provided funding for outreach projects including Mama Kikwe and Mama Hadija. Tuchifo Belgium has gifted us with school fees for outreach children, much needed items for Tumaini House and our children. Tine personally oversaw and funded the needs of several families just outside of Usa when their homes were demolished in a hostile attempt to stop them from “squatting”. They have bought shoes and outfitted us but mostly, our own Dada Tine has loved the children of Tumaini in a VERY special way and for that we can only say, “Asante Dada. Tunakupenda pia!”
And on the fourth day we must ask, “what about Dada Kris, Baba Wil, Mama Mia”? Kris of The Netherlands, came to volunteer with us at Tumaini and like Tine above, Kris was moved to share our story, our children, and our need, with her family upon her return from Tumaini. Shortly thereafter the family arrived to see what the fuss was about and . . . well . . . we grabbed THEIR hearts also and THEY went home and brought life to Stichting Tumaini Nederlands. www.tumaini-nederland.nl and WOW! Have things happened! Baba Wil and his brothers in law organized a fundraiser, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and brought EU 9,000 to help us care for our children . . . before that, Kris and Mama Mia made THOUSANDS (and I mean thousands) of spring rolls which generated thousands of euros again, to help us care for our children! Tumaini Nederlands has been instrumental in supporting our outreach projects also including helping the Hadija and Kikwe families. Kris, Wil, Mia and friends have lovingly given of themselves and most recently have become patrons of Raymond and Nelson, so that, with the support of their sponsors, bright futures are guaranteed in their university pursuits. There really are no words for how to say thank you . . .
And on the 3rd day? To Pam, and Paul and Dee and Louisa and Terry, (Ohio) (sponsors to Pendo and Zawadi and Francis and Antony) and Diane in the United States, thank you! Pam and friends have worked tirelessly for years in support of us and Diane (mom to Robyn and Mariel and wife of Tom, all of whom have volunteered with us at Tumaini) has joined our U.S. team, hosted fundraisers in Michigan (home) and have provided sponsorship support for Mary, Christina and Rashid. Patience has been a virtue for this group who, after applying, have waited more than two years to receive charitable status and we are SO very happy to announce that we have just recently received it! Dedicated to providing additional support for our children and causes, Tumaini Usa www.tumaini-usa.org has organized numerous fundraisers benefiting our family!
In addition to the numerous fundraising efforts our supporters have organized, in addition to the millions of Tanzanian shillings these groups have donated to the care of our little ones, every member of the Tumaini teams in America, Australia, Belgium and the Netherlands have volunteered their time, their own money, given their hearts and for that we can only say thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
