Manyashi goes to a boarding school in Mwanza, called Jellys. He is currently in the 4th grade. There he is able to get very good schooling. He is a very academic boy, and has a passion for learning. Esther is now in 1st grade. She goes to a school called JBFC. Her and her little sister, Mariam, leave at 7 for school. It’s about a 45 minute walk through Kitongo to get to their school. They get home at about 5 in the evening. Mariam is in Kindergarten and is a very bright little girl. Bianca, Pili, Michael, Aika, Helena and Jonathan all aren’t old enough to go to school, so they stay at home. At home they have their play time, and at about 10 their Mama, Milka, does schooling with them. She is an amazing teacher and mother. They practice writing their names, learning letters and numbers. At 11:30 four times a week the kids go to pre-school. After pre-school is lunch time, followed by nap time. In the evening the girls, Pili, Bianca and Aika have to responsibility of going to get the milk at the container yard. Usually by that time Esther and Mariam can meet them at the container yard and walk home with them. Sitting at the Tanners house we can usually hear them singing and playing all sorts of games on the front porch, or race around the soccer field in the evenings.
I have had to joy of watching them grow and develop under the love of their parents John and Milka. I have never seen such well behaved children! John and Milka have received 9 children in little over a year, and have room for 1 more. Pray that John and Milka continue doing an amazing job as they raise their family. Pray for the kids as they bond to each other, their parents and are nurtured by God’s love.
