Newsletter March 2022

Dear Friends,

Yesterday, we returned from a short Sunday outing. We had repeatedly promised the older children we'd take them to the city on the car ferry, and we didn't want to delay fulfilling our promise any longer. So, we drove with ten children in two vehicles to the ferry, and then to a shopping mall in Dar es Salaam. For lunch, they enjoyed fries and spring rolls, followed by an apple and delicious ginger cookies for dessert. Everything was carefully observed and commented on: the freighter crossing the ferry's path, the buses, motorcycles, trains, and even felled trees lying by the roadside, which they greatly regretted in accordance with their environmental awareness. To round off the day, there was a swimming lesson and then a children's movie with delicious chocolate brownies. They all went to bed exhausted at 7:30 PM, although one of our girls had trouble keeping her eyes open at school this morning – prompting appropriate comments from the other children. This brings us to the topic of the school.

The Primary School

Since January 16th, we have officially begun teaching the first two classes of our primary school. Approval and public operating rights will be granted to us shortly. Unfortunately, two teachers cancelled a few days before school started due to personal reasons. However, with the help of our church leadership, we quickly received over twenty applications, from which we were able to hire the most suitable teachers. They speak good English, are faithful Christians, and love the children. Thus, the team of three teachers was complete again shortly after school began. Mika, our headmaster, turned down an attractive position as a school principal at a public school to take on the responsibility with us. We see this as God's guidance.

Ten of our oldest children are now attending our own school. Of course, we have also admitted additional children from the village, including those whose parents cannot afford the school fees. They are supported by donations. Overall, our school fees for a private school are extremely affordable. They are significantly below the generally customary prices, as we do not operate for profit like many other private schools in Tanzania.

Initially, primary school lessons began in our chapel, which can also be used as a school building. As soon as lessons can take place in the new school buildings, the chapel will continue to be used for preschool education. Four classrooms with a staff room, sanitary facilities, changing rooms, and a schoolyard are almost completed. We thank all donors who have helped us with our work. However, to comply with the ministry's requirements, we need further school buildings. Therefore, we will have to continue with the expansion of the school in the coming months.

Our Volunteers

As almost every year, our three seniors, Marietta, Fritz, and Peter, have returned for three months to support us. Marietta prefers to work in the garden and partly in the kitchen. Fritz and Peter take care of minor craft repair work with great attention to detail. This year, the focus in the garden was on sowing heirloom vegetable varieties, and in the craft area, it was the setup of our new workshop. We are very grateful for their dedication and hope that they will return next year. Esther – our volunteer from Austria – will unfortunately leave us in March. In her place, we will receive support from Kaia from Argentina. Another volunteer from Austria is expected in July.

Special thanks go to our befriended dentist team from Poland, who took care of the health of our local population during their visit. Within 10 days, over 70 people were treated, including very difficult cases like tooth reconstructions. Our children's dental care received consistently excellent remarks.

Garden and Construction Measures

In February, another 3,000 pineapple plants were planted. They will bear their first fruits in two years. This year, we were able to harvest several hundred mangoes from our old trees, and a self-grown mango tree bore its first fruits after four years. To be able to use our own seeds in the long term, we are currently trying to plant a wide variety of heirloom seed types – some with very good success. Regarding grains, we have only had success with Kamut so far – an ancient wheat that contains forty percent more protein and significantly more unsaturated fatty acids than normal wheat. It also offers thirty percent more of the mineral magnesium and a high content of selenium. After the first months of intensive experience, we are learning to optimally use our irrigation systems.

The new workshop building was completed in February, with sufficient storage capacity for paints, building materials, and tools. Additionally, the workshop consists of two workrooms with generous workbenches and a separate area for the planer and table saw. A residential building with four staff apartments was occupied in January. In February, we received the long-awaited connection to the public electricity grid. This allows us to better bridge the rainy season, which is a challenge for solar systems, and to use our heavy-duty machines without a generator. Currently, our walkways are also being extended, and a central waste collection point is being created.

Missionary Endeavors

As a contribution to proclaiming the Adventist message, two evangelists were hired. For further support, we are planning a private initiative, independent of Dunia ya Heri's donations, to print several thousand copies of the book "From Shadow to Light" in Swahili. Most of these books will be given away or distributed for a token contribution. Through our efforts, we aim to reach many people with the good news of Christ's soon return. Anyone who wishes to help should please specify the purpose on their bank transfer.

Neighborly Help

God has helped us make our project a reality. Out of gratitude, we have decided to help needy neighbors in the village. Our construction workers build houses and roofs for families who live in dilapidated huts, which offer insufficient protection during the rainy season. The cost of a basic structure is approximately 500 to 700 euros. Several projects have already been completed.

Special Challenges

Our most important project is the further expansion of our school. To accommodate approximately 200 students in the long term, additional classrooms, a library, a computer room, and administrative offices must be built. Furthermore, the construction of a canteen with a kitchen and suitable dining areas will be necessary in the foreseeable future, as our children still eat on the terrace of the first orphanage building.

We are grateful for your participation in Dunia ya Heri and would like to extend our warmest thanks to all our helpers. We also thank all those who remember us in prayer and accompany us day by day through their intercession.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

With kind regards and blessings

Yours

Thomas Küsel

Vice Chair
Dunia ya Heri

Yours

Judith Klier

Chair
Dunia ya Heri

* the child's name has been changed