Tanzania: Sunday, day of rest and surprises

From Tanzania 2010 Photos

Mama Wandoa is a woman of strong constitution and even stronger religious conviction. A staunch Lutheran with little financial resources, she assumes the responsibility of the SCAW distribution with a shrug of her shoulders that there is no money in the bank and the deep faith that God will provide.

And by heavens, it all falls into place!

You already know that 100% of the funds wired goes towards the bedkits. It is the responsibility of our Overseas Volunteers to cover all other incurred costs like transportation and storage of the bedkits.

With support from her church and friends in Tanzania and Canada, Mama Wandoa covers the costs of travelling the long distances to inspect the distribution sites, transport the bedkits, stipends and meals for the volunteers who so ardently package the bedkit items and load the trucks, and myriads of other expenses.

From Tanzania 2010 Photos

She also manages to convince the manufacturers that it is their corporate responsibility to help the children of Tanzania. For example, the mattress manufacturer has provided the mattress at the same price for three years even though the cost of foam has increased considerably. He also stores the 7,000 mattresses at the factory, allowing the volunteers to load 700 per day onto the trucks.

One of the highlights of a Tanzanian distribution is attending a Sunday Service with Mama Wandoa, who is a respected Elder and Teacher. We are introduced to the the congregation and SCAW's mission is explained. We are asked to say a few words. We understand very little of the liturgy which is in Swahili but enjoy picking out the few words we have learned. Mama conscripts translators from the congregation to sit beside us and translate and guide us through the readings and responses. Because Swahili is phonetically similar to English, we are able to sing along with the kwayas (choirs).

From Tanzania 2010 Photos

The kwayas blow us away! The singing is rich and powerful with a range of voices in harmony and dance routines. It is moving to see the congregation worship with every fibre of their being as though each one is intimately connected to God.

Then the surprise ... there is a special In Memorial offering for the AIDS orphans supported by the church in memory of Ken Webb (Linda's husband, Christopher's father) and Linda and Christopher, surrounded by the orphans and the SCAW team, are called to the front of the altar to receive a blessing from the Bishop.

The tears flow ... but they are joyful tears!

Team Tanzania 2010

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