Newsletter June 2020

Dear Friends,

Time of Crisis

The rainy season in Tanzania, which typically runs from April to June, is now drawing to a close. Fortunately, our worst fears of being cut off from Dar es Salaam due to poor road conditions did not materialize. The road was repaired just in time.

Tanzania has also been affected by the Corona pandemic. No quarantine has been imposed so far, and large events continue to take place. Wearing masks is mandatory in shops and public transport. Schools, universities, and national borders are closed. Otherwise, the government relies on the personal responsibility of its citizens, striving to avoid harming the economy and the income of poorer segments of the population. Little information is released in the press. The last official word from our president was that COVID-19 tests were unreliable; animals and food had reportedly tested positive – which certainly casts significant doubt on the testing procedures. Officially, there are few COVID-19 deaths, and the number of infected people remains low. This is primarily because sick people often do not go to the hospital due to treatment costs and the distance to clinics. A traditional medicine practitioner in their own village is often more affordable and accessible. Deceased persons are not screened for the coronavirus and are buried immediately according to Islamic custom. The government, unlike many in Europe, aims to assuage citizens' fears of the virus. Since the tests proved unreliable, there have been no further figures on the number of infected or deceased in the press. We adhere to the official guidelines, avoid any hysteria, and have not heard of any deaths or illnesses in our immediate vicinity so far.

Naturally, we are concerned about whether the financial crisis, caused by a lack of support, will create problems for us. However, we are confident that a project that began with many miracles will endure with God's help. God promises, "bread and water shall be assured to you!"

Projects

The third orphanage was completed at the beginning of the year. It was financed by "Ein Herz für Kinder" and built for girls aged 6 to 12. Initially, staff members are housed there during the Corona crisis; the children will move in once the crisis has passed. We thank the leadership and staff of "Ein Herz für Kinder" for their substantial support.

Regarding electricity, we are now completely self-sufficient. Our solar panels power four washing machines, three refrigerators, two freezers, and provide electricity for the workshop and lighting for all buildings.

The construction of our primary school – which also serves as a chapel on weekends – has been completed. Furnishings like school furniture and blackboards are ready. We are now in the approval process, aiming to begin classes promptly for the new school year, which starts on January 1, 2021, in Tanzania. We extend our gratitude to "Restore a Child," our partner organization, as well as
all individuals and organizations who have dedicated themselves to this project. Special thanks go to the initiator of the school project: Saskia Maier and her team.

At the turn of the year, a construction team from Nuremberg began building a playground. The planning was a collaborative effort, bringing together many interesting ideas. Special attention was paid to the children's motor development, incorporating obstacle courses for balancing and several climbing opportunities. Thus, using simple materials like eucalyptus logs and old tires, a playground was created that leaves little to be desired. We are very grateful to our friends from Nuremberg and all the volunteers who helped. Heartfelt thanks to Nicole Pardubicki, who initiated this project and provided us with many creative ideas.

The rainy season in Africa always brings intense mud. Downhill, there's a risk of slipping on the clay soil. Depressions quickly fill with water during rain, turning into rushing streams that are difficult to navigate. Dunia ya Heri Austria helped us to pave some of the paths. Now it's possible to get from one dormitory building to another without mud and dirt.

We've had a pizza oven from the beginning. However, it was outdoors and couldn't be used during the rainy season. The oven now has a roof, the chimney has been raised, and the baking chamber insulated, allowing the oven to retain heat longer. We now enjoy delicious home-baked "German" bread.

Neighborly Help

People in the neighboring village also need our support. With the help of volunteers, we were able to build a rainproof new home for an impoverished, single Muslim mother with five children who lives in the immediate vicinity. The family is extremely grateful. On the house wall is the inscription: "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." We thank the initiators of this aid campaign.

Two dentists and a pediatrician from Poland generously supported us. Over 10 days, approximately 15 people from the village were treated daily. Unfortunately, it's clear that the adopted Western lifestyle is causing significant damage to the teeth of the local population. Africans were once known for having strong and healthy teeth. Now, even in childhood, teeth are often affected by cavities. The reason is the large quantity of soft drinks (Fanta, Coke, etc.) and sweets consumed even by poorer segments of the population. The medical team's primary work, regrettably, involved tooth extractions. We would like to express our gratitude to the team for their visit, their dedication,
and their support.

Our Children

When it comes to dental treatment, our children are a commendable exception. None of the orphans had cavities, which is certainly attributable to our healthy diet and regular dental hygiene.

In our last newsletter, we mentioned that one of our children was to be taken to a specialized clinic in Poland for treatment. Unfortunately, we did not manage to obtain the exit permit. However, this was probably a stroke of luck, as they would now be stuck in Poland due to flight restrictions and would have no chance of returning to Tanzania in the short term. Our little one is now being treated locally by a physiotherapist and is making good progress. Walking is no longer difficult for him, and his language development is also improving.

Until the beginning of the year, we had three female volunteers with us. They assisted us with many training-related tasks. Our children have started taking swimming lessons, which is unusual in Africa. However, since we are near the Indian Ocean, it is important that they can swim. It is not uncommon to hear of schoolchildren drowning in Dar es Salaam. We thank Vicky, Saskia, and Sara for
their service.

The children are also making good progress in other areas. They have memorized about 20 songs, many with multiple verses. Memorizing poems and interesting Bible passages comes very easily to them. The older children can already read – though only one of the children is in first grade. All children from about four years of age can write their names in lowercase and uppercase letters. Arithmetic is practiced daily. They are also starting to learn English, and some of them even understand a little German.

At the beginning of the year, we welcomed two newcomers from a friendly Catholic orphanage. They could no longer stay there because it is only equipped for children up to the age of three. These two will likely stay with us long-term and have settled in very well. At the same time, two children have left us. One was adopted, and the other child was fortunately able to return to his father. The mother had died during childbirth, and the father was overwhelmed with caring for the baby, which is why the youth welfare office asked us for help.

Finally, we would like to extend our warmest thanks once again to everyone who supports Dunia ya Heri – whether individuals, organizations, or companies, whether through their dedication and presence here on site, through financial aid, advice, or through prayer. We continue to believe in the occurrence of one miracle or another.

With warm greetings and blessings

Yours