Chabalisa

I rode with Flouriman, Aggrey, and George to a former Rwandan refuge camp. In 1994 when the Hutu’s took over and started slaughtering the Tutsi’s. The Tutsi’s fled into Tanzania for safety. This is one of the main places where they fled for safety. Then Uganda stepped in and took over the Hutu’s in Rwanda. The Hutu’s then in fear of retaliation fled into Bukoba and Kayanga. Many of the people here come from the Hutu tribe but have married into Tanzanian tribes.

This place where I was yesterday is ran by the Sisters of Karagwe. They have one classroom so far for teaching children. There are two buildings currently being built. One is a school for physical disabled children and regular children the the other is a dormitory for them. The Tanzanian government donated money for the dormitory however it only went so far so the building is unfinished. Currently there is an Austrian in his 70’s who is volunteering his skills and time building the school. Right now there biggest need is funding for finishing the dormitory for children. 

KCBRP had enough money to donate and build a bathroom next to the classroom however they want to contribute more but currently don’t have the funding. 

 This is the Sisters house you can see surrounded by Banana tress

 This is the bathroom KCBRP had built for the school

 This is the school that is built. There is only outside structure. Nothing is done on the inside

 Flourian and george checking out the well that is 80 meters deep that the Austrian Babu dug

The Sisters of Karagwe with some of the children.

Kayanga

Food is not a problem here. It rains every morning until one pm then the sun comes out and it is sunny the rest of the day. Very interesting. It makes it great for growing food. Bananas are the cash crop here. It is what I see the most of. They grow, mangos, bananas, pineapple , cron, beans, rice, ground nuts, spinach, tomatoes and I'm sure more. It is a different situation here than it is in Namiungo where food can be a serious problem. Yet everyone is skinny here unless your rich. When the people do eat I can't believe how much they eat. They eat just as much as me if not more and they are small and skinny. Incredible. Maybe that is there only meal of the day. 

I have moved into Aggrey's home who is in charge at KCBRP. I have a room with a bed and mosquito net. bathing is using a bucket of water and soap. Pretty basic. 

Food. Breakfast is Hot Milk and bread. Lunch is usually beans, rice, mashed up bananas that are cooked then the sauce with be ground nuts. Then dinner is the same but a little bit of beef or pork. The people here do eat a lot. I am eating a lot bit not much meat. I need to drink more water.

 The Cathedral in Kayanga

Children are dancing practicing for Easter 

KCBRP - Kayanga Community Based Rehabilitation Program

I am currently volunteering with KCBRP. There main goal is to help people with physical disabilities.   They do a lot more than that of what I have read. I have spent the last two days meeting with each employee finding out what he/she does. Then I have read about there programs, annual and quarterly reports to get a very good idea of what exactly they do and how things are run.

I look forward to the work because I will be going to numerous villages throughout each week and learning about the difficulties, challenges and problems that are going on in each village. I will then try to provide answers with solutions. For example if a child is having seizures one needs to educate on what epilepsy is and what to do if the child seizes. Some villages will think the child is a witch or possessed.

The main goal is to educate people and get services the people need. Another big question is how to make this a sustainable program.
Here is my notes from the past two days.

Notes for KCBRP- Karegwe Community Based Rehabilitation Program.

Celebrated world disabilities day on December 3rd 2015 where they had government officials, TV and radio come. People with Disabilities talked and inspired others to keep strong. Small solar panels were provided with Patients With Disabilities. 

Free check ups through out the village was performed. What they found was 4 with breast or cervical cancer, 151 vision problems, 167 HIV and 3 were AIDS positive, 46 have diabetes, 63 physical disability, and 19 had mental health problems.

Leaflets were handed out about HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, mental health and eye problems.

Activities that have taken place at KCBRP

Sent 13 patients to have orthopedic surgery.

1  with burns to Uganda and 3 with eye problems to Uganda.

3 cleft palate to Dar Es Salaam.

Repaired and replaced wheel chairs.

Planted trees.

Trained staff for higher education. 

Raise awareness of people with disabilities. 

Create a banking project and sustainability. Provided goats and Bee’s for harvesting honey.

Over 1200 families have been visited and received counseling on nutrition and hygiene.

Crash training seminar to safe driving.

97 patients with disabilities received treatment.

Provided 22 goats and 28 chickens to villages.

Over years helped about a 1,000 people with physical disabilities.which started in 2004.

Educate People with disabilities on how to be dependent and self sustaining. Teach them skills.

Watu na Nuru provided 83 solar lamps to people with physical disabilities. Money for kerosine is expensive.

Conducted 10 radio programs 550 left lets about people with disabilities, driving safety, and empowerment rights of the people.

Problems for the villages.

Walking distance for people to come and get educated is very far some walk 80 Km. They probably need bikes or motorcycles.

Need more people in the village to spread the word to others.

KCBRP has only one vehicle and 3 motorcycles.

Future plans

Support Children With Disabilities for school fees and material.

Same as activities above.

Currently building a training center in Kayanga for people with physical disabilities and there families. 

I think the biggest thing is education. Letting people know there are cures for people with disabilities or ways to get hep. People just don’t have the knowledge so they just live with there disease. It is hard to change the mindset of any person let alone a village who have done the same thing there entire life. You can’t change the mindset until they see results. That is they have to see it to believe it.

www.kcbrp.or.tz

Feed back.

Monthly meetings with the representative of each village. Each representative discuss the problems and challenges going on at the village. KCBRP tries to provide solutions.

World Disabilities day also provided good feedback

Testimonies given that are then written down and forwarded to funders.

Leaflets for eye problems have been given.

4 seminars provided which also allows to get feedback from the people about the seminar.

Modified motorcycles for people with disabilities. A person with no legs but can drive a 3 wheeler.

Provided school uniforms and materials for children.

Activities in the last 4 months.

Primary school is free. Secondary school is not so KCBRP provided some children with school fees.

Sent children to hospital that is with various conditions, 14 osteomyelitis,11 club foot, 4 hydrocephalus, 6 knocking knees, 5 with cleft lip to hospital and paid for operation.

Supported 11 children with Cerebral Palsy with food and clothing.

62 glasses given for eye problems.

Provided 6 Wheel Chairs, 2 crutches, 2 walking frames, 6 standing frames, 3 special seats.

Argo forest project- control burning to prevent fires.

They have served 16 local villages.

Provide seed money for individuals training and working skills to help the village.

They go to the villages Monday through Thursday and see what are the issues and problems going on. They then come back on Friday and report to the group and try to figure out ideas how to help.

Self sustaining programs

Bee harvesting

goats raising

pineapple garden

Government 1,500,000 tsp which is $810

argo forest has 4,000 pine trees.

Problems

High cost to outreach programs. How to make this sustainable?

Looking for a physiotherapist

Breaking the stigma of people with disabilities. Parents hiding there children .

Children with disabilities not getting help they need. 

They have acquired 4 acres of land to create a sustainability program. started a tree farm for economic issues. 10 acres total.

Do land leasing to neighbors so they can take responsibility and ownership of the land and act like guards.

It is really about educating people and empowering them. 

100% SERVICE TO VULNERABLE people.

child protection

environment

Future goals 2016

Increase accessibility of education for Children With Disabilities.

Improve medical rehabilitation services.

Sustainability projects = Orthopedic workshop, fitness gymnasium, conference centre, vocational training center and chelima agro-forest.

5 year strategic plan.

Need a information management system.

Finance

Funds through ORAF $48,000

Partner funds $80,000

Local income $3,600

So one can tell that there needs to be more a sustainability but the question is how.

Expenses $45,000

$78208

$3,600

So they are barely breaking even which is expect. 

Nairobi to Arusha

Spent two days in Nairobi. Went tot he United Nations and got a short tour and got details of where and who I am working with in Karagwe. Played tennis against a Junior Kenyan National team member. Actually i should say play he basically gave me a one hour lesson on how to play tennis.

Then took the bus from nairobi to Arusha. 

 Cows that are walking around the streets just outside of downtown Nairobi

 These trees at the UN caught my attention. The ends are like cactus .

 Monument for the first president of Kenya. Strong fist as in Yes we can

 Junior Kenyan National Tennis player gave me lessons for an hour. 17yrs old.

 Kids play tennis too. Well the ones who have money to play I should say. There is a wheel chair tennis team that is trying for the paraolympics 2016. My friend Matt set it all up

Border of Tanzania and Kenya

Well I woke up early and caught a bus to Arusha. I forgot to tip Nick which was the worst part. At the border we made a stop but I refused to not let my backpack out of sight so I stuck right next to the bus. As soon as I got into Arusha I was getting badgered by people to take a taxi. I took a deep breath and ask one he was actually the first one to ask me. Free Taxi but I said I need to get a bus ticket for tomorrow to Bukoba. He made phone calls as he is driving and took me to HIS guy and they said $70 USD I said no way. $50.00 he sat there and said ok. Well then I was remembering I thought it was only $25 USD to Bukoba. SO I said what. I might stick around for one more day. I haven’t decided yet ill let you know when I do. 

SO I got out of that jam. They took me to the hotel and I said, “I want to see the room first.” I didn’t see a bathroom and there was no mosquito net so I said, “No way. I’m leaving”. Then they said ok ok there is a place across the street. I went there and they had what I was looking for and it was only $15.00 USD. Free wifi but I find out the signal is so week my computer can’t pick it up. Even if I go into the hallway. So its basically no internet. I didn’t want to take my computer into the lounge area because you never know who is there. It is hard being in a place where you know everyone is trying to rip you off. Mean while the taxi driver is waiting to take me back to the bus station to get my bus ticket for what ever day I chose. I had written down that in 2014 the bus from Arusha to Bukoba was $25 but this company had gone out of business. So I decided to shoot for thirty and I said hey I also need to gt a phone. My friend Matt said I need to have a phone to be able to contact people. Mainly for safety reasons. But I would rather not. 

So they take me to the phone dealer and I know it costs 25,000 shilling which is $15. I tell the guy this who is trying to rip me off and he finally says to me. I need to make a profit too you know. So I bought it for 27,000 shilling. He is right he does need to make a living as well. Then I go to the bus guy and said Hey I will give you $30USD he said that will only get you to Mwanza. Then another guy looked at me an said lets be honest $40 USD is a fair price. I thought fine. They have to make a living too. But I know deep down they are both ripping me off but I do come from a wealthy nation so I feel I should give in. Then I had to get a sim card for the phone and that was $15 which I am sure I got ripped off there. But it is all said an done. 

I then walked to the super Market and bought chapati which is like indian fry bread and a slice of pizza Which I was surprised to see in a supermarket there. and  water for about $3.00 so dinner was cheap. I knew I shouldn’t be walking around at night alone so I head back. Watched Manchester United beat Liverpool and then head to bed because I have a 14 hour bus ride tomorrow. My hotel is on the main road because I thought that would be a safe place but I didn’t think about the traffic and horns. Live a learn. Looking forward to getting into the rural area. 

One more thing even the Tanzanian border agent I think ripped me off. He gave me a multi entry VISA and I only needed a single entry so $100 instead of $50 then the machine broke so he wrote by had that I have a VISA with no picture of me or anything. I could have written in my passport with blue ink just like him. Oh well. I hope it doesn’t hold me hostage when I leave. 

Well St. Christopher watched over me today I ran into people that want my money which is everyone but they took care of me and that is what matters.

Tucson to New Holstein

So I drove a 26ft Penske truck from Tucson to New Holstein Wisconsin filled with Medical supplies for Tanzania. I have been in contact with Br. Fulmence from Namiungo Tanzania ever since I worked down there and saw the desperate need of supplies especially at the County hospital which is the only one in the district. When I was there they ran out of latex gloves which is absurd. After volunteering with the Lay Salvatorians at Southwest Medical Aid who collects supplies from hospitals, Clinics, hospices and more mourned the Tucson area. I talked to Cheryl Cecil who is running the program now. She was more than happy to load me up with a whole shipment of medical supplies. Hospital beds all the way to syringes. Amazing. I then drove that bad boy up to New Holstein while sleeping in the back of it on a hospital mattress. It was cold at night. But I made it. We then loaded a 20ft container with all the supplies and added coats and blankets as stuffers. Oh an 3 bags of stuffed animals for the children. It is currently on its way to Tanzania. It should arrive May 12th in Dar Es Salaam port. We will see.

 This is David from Southwest Medical Aid who loaded the boxes on Pallets

 The 3000 club donated there time and to load the truck with a fork lift

 Half way loaded. Now to put the 8 hospital beds in

 Stopping for gas on the border of Texas Pan handle and New Mexico

Loading the 20 ft container for Tanzania

Prayers for Simon

I finished all my finals and they all went well I think. I am glad to be done for the semester. I enjoyed the classes for the most part. But I feel I want to get my hands dirty and do more of an active ministry.

Simon could use prayers. Simon is a first year Candidate from Kenya. He volunteers at St. Ben's food pantry in downtown Milwaukee. On Sunday evening someone asked if he could give him a ride and Simon gave him a ride but the guy robbed him and shot him twice. Simon is in critical condition. He had his spleen removed and part of his liver. The second bullet hit the head of the femur and shattered it. Simon is a very nice guy. It is really sad that something like this would occur. When working with the homeless you never know when someone is on drugs or psychotic or just desperate to do anything to anyone.

I ask you to pray for Simon and for whoever would do such an act.

Simon is the one in front giving the peace sign.

A gift from God

Finals will be here before I know it. plugging away on papers. It has been a good semester so far. A week ago I heard exciting news from Namiungo Tanzania. The have just received an ambulance. About a month ago I received and email from Br. Fulmance who i worked with down in the bush of Tanzania. He asked me to write and email about the poverty and the situation of the clinic in Namiungo. So I sent an email to this person in Austria or switzerland. I told him about the extreme poverty and the lack of means getting tot he hospital. I told him about the story of saving the 2 year old boy. I sent pictures as well. I still can't believe but the Lay Salvatorians of Europe bought a brand new ambulance for namiungo. I could not believe it. That is exactly what they needed. I just got pictures of it. God does work in magical ways. There was  drastic need there in Namunigo that I saw 2 years ago and it was met.
I have pictures from my first vow ceremony. I will make sure to post pictures of the ambulance. Other than that nothing to exciting.