It was an early 5am start to our first distribution in Kwala. After a long and bumpy drive, we arrived just before 8am and were greeted by Benjamin (Mama’s son), the Head of School and hundreds of beautiful children. The team was energized and ready to put smiles on 500 faces!
We enjoyed being a part of their assembly and listening to their national anthem. Our team leader, Warren, spoke to parents with the use of a translator. The bedkit was displayed and each piece was explained. They were also told that pictures would be taken of their beautiful children. The team received a round of applause from the parents.
It was time to begin! The team got organized to take three large group photos. By the third photo, everything ran like clockwork! Great job everyone!
It was time to begin! The team got organized to take three large group photos. By the third photo, everything ran like clockwork! Great job everyone!
It was amazing to interact with the children, take their pictures or just say ‘mambo’ (Swahili for hello) with a fist bump. It was an incredible feeling to hand over a bedkit and mattress and see the happiness in their eyes. The children were very polite and many of them spoke English and said ‘thank you’ or ‘Asante’ (Swahili for thank you).
At the end of the distribution, the team met with the head of school and teachers and presented them with an assortment of great gifts to share with the children such as soccer balls, tennis balls, sports jerseys, frisbees, pens, pencils, bandaids, crafts, desk kits, etc. They were thrilled and very grateful.
As a thank you, Mama Wandoa received a rooster from the head of school. He was very docile and liked having his picture taken!
Raymond James' Tanzania Team 2018
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