Tanzania: Mission Accomplished

From Tanzania 2012

Well, there you have it -- 7,000 bedkits have been distributed in Tanzania! 11 days of distribution have come to an end, and as a result there are many, many children sleeping well in rural and inner city areas of Dar Es Salaam.

Today, on our final day of distribution, we delivered 350 bedkits at two locations within the city. We started our day at Uhuru Mchanganyiko Primary School -- a school for students with special needs. It was a lovely school with lots of gardens and friendly children. Many of the students were albino and were given some extra clothes (i.e., long sleeved shirts) and hats from some of our team members. After distributing 150 bedkits at this school, we packed up and drove to our next site -- Buguruni School for the Deaf. This was a government-funded school with approximately 250 students, and an on-site residence for the some of them. The children we delivered the bedkits to here were extremely aware of the process, always showed their appreciation by signing "asante" (thank you) and were full of smiles and giggles. When we finished distributing the 200 bedkits we had a tour around with Judith - a woman who is a part of the England-based charity - Tanzanear (http://www.tanzanear.org/home/index.htm). This charity is involved with Buguruni through fundraising, support, and advocacy. There seemed to be a lot going on at the school today. There were volunteers helping out through Tanzanear. The Lion's Club was giving medical tests to the students, and children were learning in their classes of approximately 12 students. We visited the deaf and blind class, which has four students who are making rugs, paper beads, curtain tiebacks, amongst other things. We had some very interesting discussions with Judith and it gave us a lot to think about.

Including the 7,000 bedkits delivered by
the Tanzania team this year, our total is
now 1,244,130 bedkits since Sleeping
Children began in 1970.

When we were ready to leave, we said goodbye to our 28 overseas volunteers and wished them well. They have worked so hard preparing for the distributions, behind the scenes, and during the distributions and we really appreciate all they have done. Some have been working with SCAW and Mama for 12 years! Others helped make the school shirts and bags that were in the bedkits this year. It was a great team effort by all and it was an emotional ending to eleven wonderful days.

Amazing job everyone - thanks to our team leaders Ted and Mama for great organization, attention to detail and support. Thanks to all the volunteers for all the hard work on the hot days in the sun. Thank you to all the donors who made a huge difference in the lives of the children over here. You helped more than you know. And of course - thanks for the children -- for teaching us to put things in perspective, amongst many other things. We will never forget your smiles.

Until next year -- mission accomplished!

Team Tanzania 2012

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