Archive for the ‘South Africa’ Category
“Avocados Keep Falling on My Head”
Well, this picture of an avocado tree will have to do until our African traveler sends me the “actual” image of the avocados that he has to dodge while he ambles along the village paths. ”You have to be careful when you walk under the trees because avocados are falling from trees and will hit you on the head.” Do you think this image is big enough? As I look at it, I feel like ducking under so an avocado doesn’t fall on my head! James has not been on the Internet or our blog publisher, WordPress, long enough to send “his” picture to me. But ~ it might be coming in the next few days and then I will replace this image ~ or maybe NOT!
Here’s some very good news ~ the well-driller from Gillette, Wyoming, whose real name is Trusty, arrived on June 26th (or thereabouts) in Sakila, Tanzania. Trusty’s plan is to drill twenty or twenty-five new wells within the two weeks of his stay. Factors such as drilling in the right spot and breaking of equipment will limit the number. James tells us that, “Each village is very joyful when they see the well-drilling rig come to town.” Here’s the bad news: Trusty and his trained African crew are up and out drilling wells but they are not having success. Despite digging deep in two spots they have not found water. This is disconcerting and has praying people doing just that ~ praying that they will find water.
Good water flow from this village well.
Here are some other facts:
1) Three containers arrived with food, medicine, drilling supplies, educational materials, building materials, clothing, etc…
2) Elementary school registration begins this week; additional sponsors are needed or the number of students will be cut back.
3) The orphanage has had its needs met.
4) There has been good rainfall so that the corn crop is going to be good!
Bags of food unloaded from container.
Our Hope for Change African partner, Eliudi Issangya, sends his smiling “thank you” to everyone who has contributed to the ongoing projects that supply water, medical care, educational opportunities, and trade training to the people of Arusha Region. In a future blog update we will tell you the state of affairs of “New Hope International Hospital”.
There’s another picture that James has to send me ~ when he delivers those pencils to the students of the elementary schools in Sakila and Arusha.
Please visit our web site www.H4Cinternational.org and also send us your comments ~ we’ll be happy to hear from you. ~ Sarah
Hydraulic pump for well ~ heavy to carry!
H4C Director Heads for Africa
"Let's go over that list again."
The countdown until James’ departure for Africa on June 16, 2010 has come and gone a week ago. Earlier today, Wednesday, June 23rd, we spoke using his Motorola phone with a SIM card. James is adjusted to the environment in Sakila Village, Tanzania. As his wife, I was relieved to hear that!
Since his arrival, there has not been electricity in the village, or more accurately, the supply has been intermittent. James does not forsee having electricity to power his lap top or the Internet until next week. In light of that I will post these “send-off” pictures in the meantime.
When I spoke to our African H4C partner, Eliudi Issangya, this morning he was exhuberant when declaring that, “James had arrived safe and sound. ” Eliudi will host James during the visit without the help of his wife, Mama Helen, who died on February 2, 2010. She will be missed greatly.
About to say good-bye again ~
On a personal note, I am writing a daily journal of “life at home” while James is in Africa. We’ve never taken the time to count the exact number of trips he’s made and the number of our goodbyes. The estimate of twenty-one or so has served to make the point that he has gone there a lot. On “Day 3″, which was last Friday, I pulled out James’ old U.S. Passport and attempted to count the Tanzanian, South African, Mozambique-ian (heh-heh), and Kenyan visas stamped on the pages. I wasn’t able to do it which was daunting for me since I love to count things. Anyway, he’s been using his new passport since the trips in 2003 so I would only have half the number anyway.
Paul trying to pack James into the back of the Subaru.
Here’s a shout-out of “thanks” to our H4C Philippines Director, Paul Grimsland. Paul drove James to JFK on June 16th and there’s a good possibility that he will be making the trip down to JFK again when James returns. Don’t tell Paul I said that though.
Paul is punctual and reliable and a good friend who’s heart burns for doing what he can to provide educational opportunities for impoverished youth through our child sponsorship programs. I can tell you that Paul loves these kids! By way of making that point, read some of his MBELE! blogs posted earlier in the year. (See the archive box up above to the right.) Another tremendous friend, Vinnie Smith, has altered his work schedule many times in order to transport James to and from airports. Wow, personal drivers sure make the difference in getting started from home and getting back to home.
Pencils for Africa from Radnor High School
This backpack in the picture above holds a lot of pencils, more than one thousand, and a lot of caring by the students of Radnor High School which is located west of Philadelphia in the great state of Pennsylvania. I plan on writing a blog titled, ”The Journey of the Pencils”, to tell the entire fascinating story once James sends me a picture of the recipients in Africa. However, this will be the first “thank you” to all those PA residents who assumed a role in this effort to demonstrate concern for the children in an African village school.
Finally, H4C sends thanks to all of you who financially support our water, medical, trade-training, and educational projects in Africa. If you are newly learing about HOPE FOR CHANGE please visit our web site www.H4Cinternational.org and learn more.
MBELE!
Sarah Anne Smith
Back in Sakila, Tanzania again…..
First of all…….To those of you who know Eliudi’s wife, Mama Helen, please pray. She is very ill and in the hospital. (We NEED to get the new hospital built!)
A huge thanks to all the great people that I met in South Africa. I am tempted to start naming all of them ( and I might in a later post.) South Africa was the place for me to be at exactly the time that I was there. Thank you to the Mercy Alliance Summit people, all of you. It was refreshing to meet so many people who are dedicated to carrying out the visons that are in their hearts. South Africa is extemely beautiful! I believe it will be place that I, and H4C, will return to and continue to take our part in some way with what is going on there with the Mercy Alliance people. I will tell more stories at a later date. Hmmmm, as usual, I am on a computer that is running out of power and I have no place to plug it in. It’s early in the morning so I don’t want to wake anyone in the main house just so I can plug in my computer.
Back in Sakila. Busy here. Godwin is registering new students for the elementary school. It is an extremely busy day for him and for Rogathe (his sister and Eliudi’s daughter). Also, registration day has it’s difficult aspect because some students had to be turned away. There is not enough room. Also there is a need for sponsors for these students. People were lined up long before sunrise to come to the village hoping their child could enroll in the school. Seems like I am always saying this, but I will provide pictures when I get my computer to a higher speed connection.
Thanks to all of you who have taken H4C into your heart and lives. We hope to bring the power of HOPE and CHANGE to many people who otherwise would have no one to speak up or to care for them. All of you have been so supportive and encouraging. MBELE = (moving forward!)
James R. Smith
South Africa
Phew!!!!!!! South Africa is both beautiful and busy. Right now I am hurrying as I write because I am on someone else’s computer. I have been able to meet many people who are like-minded as we are within Hope for Change. I attended the Mercy Alliance Summit in Jeffrey Bay earlier in the week. Many people, great vision for what we can do together. More details to follow.
Among the things that have impressed me has been the many volunteers of YOUNG people who have come to give their summers to serve the poor and homeless children. As one of the Directors of Hope for Change I put forth a call for young and old, middle age. All hands on deck. Let’s do what we can do while we can do something.
Sorry no pictures, but they will be forthcoming. As always MUCH LOVE and THANKS!
James R. Smith