Swingin'

 A group of eight Mavuno fans, who are also relatives of Bethany Tanner, visited us in early July, bringing with them some parts for a new swing set.

 They constructed a large set as well as a smaller one just a few meters from the Mbuguas’ house. After about a week of building the two structures, the volunteers painted them in bright colors and had the kids put handprints all over them. 

The swings have provided hours of fun for the children and even the adults as most of them experience a swing for the first time in their lives. These swings will be well enjoyed by the Mavuno kids for years to come. 

Men of Courage

 Boys Camp followed the week of Girls camp with a similar schedule of games, sessions, singing, and skits. The theme for the boys was Courage (Jasiri) and they had several wonderful speakers to lead sessions on the topic.  We hope that God has used camp to impact many of these young men’s lives. 

  

Busara

                 Last week 24 off-campus girls and their sisters came to Mavuno for a week of fun at camp. Upon arriving on Monday, each of them received a t-shirt with the camp name Busara (Kiswahili for virtuous or noble). This theme was taught throughout the week in sessions led by several different women who came to help.

                  The kids enjoyed water games, skits, singing, and excellent food. Eager teams presented their prepared skits and songs on the final night before everyone went down to the beach for a bonfire and a final wrap-up. After packing up the girls departed on Friday morning after a great week.

 We are thankful for an encouraging time with our Mavuno girls!

Friends Return

          The Miller family returned to Tanzania on Friday after a six-month-long furlough in the States. Josh and Amy’s four children, Hannah, Abby, Naomi, and Ezekiel are delighted to be reunited with their Mavuno friends. Josh Miller oversaw finances and bookkeeping for two years prior to their furlough. They are now hoping to stay for three more years to continue bookkeeping and also to train someone to take it over when they leave.

We are so thankful to have the Millers back.

          

An Invaluable Guest!

         This week we had the privilege of inviting Mavuno’s latest visitor, Julie Probst, out on the campus. Julie has been working as a missionary with AIM for the past two years, based out of Uganda. 

           Before coming to Africa, she worked in the inner city for six years as a teacher of children with disabilities. She received her Master’s Degree in Special Education and now uses her valuable talents to train village churches how to care for those who are disabled or have special needs.  She also focuses on some individual missionary children.

           We are so thankful that Julie could help us make a game plan to help two of our Mavuno children who have some special needs. 

Esther, Julie and Sammy

Sprouting a Plan for Agriculture

                  Joel Wildasin is on his sixth month of overseeing the agricultural facet of Mavuno. He summarized his job and what it entailed in a brief interview.

sprouting seeds

Question#1: What is your job at Mavuno?

               
  I am trying to find ways of using agriculture to help Mavuno on-campus families become self-sufficient.

Q#2: Do you have a current project you are doing right now?

                 
Yes. The main project right now is making a small nursery to grow trees. I am also working on developing the family gardens and building an oil press for the Mbuguas to press their own oil. I am trying to construct a fuel-efficient wood stove for them to use as well.

the beginning of the tree nursery

Q#3: What are your goals for the Ag program while you’re here?

                
One of my major goals is to train people to take over the program and keep it going. I am hoping to develop the Mavuno land by means of trees and crops.

Bananas

Q#4: What do you especially love working on?

             
 I really enjoy doing projects like the wood stove and the drip irrigation I am installing in the family gardens. It uses technology appropriately to create something useful. I love trees as well and I am excited about their potential for Mavuno.

family gardens

Q#5: Please give a brief explanation of ECHO and how it helped prepare you to come out here.

             
 ECHO is basically a Christian organization that trains people who are working with small-scale farmers in agriculture. I worked at ECHO for three years; as an intern for one year and then on staff for two. I learned a lot about managing people which is very useful, especially with the language barrier. I also learned about farming in the tropics which is very different than farming where I had been in the States. I am learning so much here at Mavuno and I hope that I can somewhat get the Ag program going so that it can carry on and benefit the families here.

more family gardens

Family Day

Joyful screaming filled the air as children jumped up and down on the jumping castle.

Far from a fair in America, we were nevertheless treated to a very fun day at Tunza Lodge in Mwanza! Most of the Mbugua children had never been on anything like this, so it was a great thrill to spend the day jumping into each other. A delicious lunch was served, and we all enjoyed the sand and water as well.

A highlight for everyone was the visit to the baby home, Forever Angels, where five of the Mbugua kids came from.

All the mamas at the home were so excited to see the children, and the children, in turn, were able to see many of their friends.

We were all thrilled to have Zawadi come with us to Tunza and spend time with her. She is the same age as most of our kids here, and is eagerly awaiting her adoption.

Everyone returned home happy, worn out, and ready for another Family Day!