Yoghurt Project up and Running!

I am so pleased to announce that the yoghurt project is up and running! The Mamas received their startup capital in the form of a loan and purchased everything required for business. I spent this week visiting and getting to know them a little better. There are currently three “yoghurt mamas” – Mama Anna, Mama Stella, and Mama Paulina. Mama Anna is the only Mama who knows a little bit of English, but also asked me if I would teach her more, which I was happy to do!

Teaching Mama Anna English

The Mamas have voiced their desire to maintain maximum operational freedom and make their own decisions. They feel the project failed previously due to prescriptive top down management leading to a lack of personal involvement. As a result, I will take somewhat of a distant role in terms of decision making, but will provide guidance and support as needed.  I would also like to provide them with education regarding the health benefits of probiotics and/or reviewing appropriate quality control procedures in the kitchen

logo painted on the wall of the kitchen - created by the wonderful 2010 summer interns!

St. Elizabeth Hospital Visit

This week I visited the St. Elizabeth Hospital which is where the probiotics will be cultured for use in the yoghurt. I met the two doctors (Patrick and Charles) who will be preparing them and they informed me that they have all the materials required. The only obstacle at this time is that the area of the hospital where the autoclave is to be situated is under construction. Therefore we have to wait for this to be completed, which I was told should take a week or so. However, this is Africa so I’m not really sure what that means?

Note: an autoclave is an essential instrument required for sterilization. It is needed in order to safely carry out the process of preparing the probiotics.

Olevolos Project

A couple weeks ago three girls from Boston University came to the New Sahara Café while I was working. I asked them a little bit about what they were doing here and they told me they were on their spring break volunteering with the Olevolos Project. I told them I am looking for additional volunteer opportunities and they said my help is definitely needed. I got in touch with the Director (James) and last  Friday I visited the Olevolos Project and learned more about it!

What is the Olevolos Project?

This project is based on the belief that all kids have a right to meet their full potential; but in our world today, too many kids never get a chance. The Olevolos project is a not-for-profit organization formed to benefit orphans and disadvantaged children in the Olevolos village of Tanzania. Their aim is to develop young leaders in the Olevolos village through formal schooling, tutoring programs, and extra curricular activities.

In January 2010, the opened their doors to the first class of nursery school students; this year they welcomed the second class. They have also started three community initiatives (an adolescent counseling group, youth recreational program, and women’s microsavings group) in addition to their ongoing education sponsorship program.

Mission:

To develop young leaders in the Olevolos Village through formal schooling, tutoring programs, and extra-curricular activities.

Vision:

A village where young people become educated leaders and serve as role models for future generations.

Values:

1.       Excellence in teaching

2.       Local community involvement, ownership, and investment

3.       Equitable access to education, particularly for vulnerable children

4.       Supportive and nurturing environment for children to learn and grow

5.       Life-skills and leadership development 

History:

Education sector reforms began in Tanzania in 1995.  The main purpose of the reforms was to ensure equitable access to education.  However, the reforms were not comprehensive and only focused on primary school.  Additionally, students were still expected to pay for their own uniforms, books, and school supplies.  Because of this, it was not an economic reality for everyone.  Many children do not have the financial support to pay for the necessary materials or for the fees associated with pre-primary and secondary schooling.

The Olevolos Project was founded in 2007 to create educational opportunities for disadvantaged children from the Olevolos Village in Tanzania, Africa.  Our mission is to develop young leaders through formal schooling, tutoring programs, and extra-curricular activities.  Because we aim to improve access and equality to education, we pay for all the expenses for students who are unable.  Given that many of these kids lack proper nutritional meals, we have developed a school-feeding program.

Lastly, engagement with the local community is a defining part of our project.  Understanding the importance of this engagement, we work closely with the District Commissioner, Village Council, and village people to leverage goals and maximize impact in the community. Because of this, they are incorporated into every aspect of our programming.  Villagers volunteer at the site, join us in parent meetings, and sit on our advisory board.  We believe the ultimate success of the project lies in the hands of the Olevolos people.

Currently the children will be off school for one month. On Friday a lottery was held to determine which children will have the opportunity to attend the school next month. There are 100 children registered but only 24 spots! The 24 children have now been selected and next week will be spent visiting their homes to make sure they qualify for the sponsorship. To qualify they must be either a two parent or single parent orphan. The children who are not orphans can still attend but they are required to pay the school fees.

Chris is back!

Chris returned last Thursday from his 6 day adventure climbing Mount Kilimanjaro! He called me on his way back and asked me to bring him home three doughnuts from the Café, so I knew he was still his old self! Haha J

 I was so happy to see him alive and walking! He was absolutely exhausted, and I admit, he looked pretty warn out, actually extremely warn out! He told me he got more than enough food (which says a lot), but I still think he shed a few pounds! He said the climb is definitely one of the hardest mental and physical things he has ever done. I’m very glad he’s back and really admire his mental and physical toughness in conquering this grueling task! Chris, you should be so proud of yourself. The memories you acquired will be with you for a lifetime!

I encourage you to check out his blog to learn more about his adventure at: http://christopherstuartheadseast.blogspot.com/

Highlight of the Week

Coincidently I met up with a friend from Mwanza on Saturday who was in Arusha with her Mom for a short holiday. They told me they were going on a waterfall hike the next day, and invited me to come along! Since this was on the top of my list as one of the things I’ve wanted to do, I decided not to pass up the opportunity!

It turned out to be a great decision! The hike was extremely challenging and tiring, taking 5 hours to reach the waterfall, but it was all worth it!

Waterfall!

Path on the way to the waterfall