Kim Gloede (Tau Chapter) Visited Our C.H.E.A.R. World Understanding Project in Tanzania, Africa

(Kim will write this post in the first person.)

An opportunity presented itself and I was able to go with a group of 9 other members of Alpha Delta Kappa International to visit the Manyara Holistic Center (MAHOCE) in Babati, Tanzania.  Cam Johnston, the organizer of our trip is the mother of Joshua, the Director of this amazing home and school for children in poverty.  MAHOCE had been our A∆K World Understanding Project for two years. 

We also had four amazing safari days. All our nights were at beautiful resorts.  

After flying to Philadelphia to join up with six other A∆K sisters, we flew together to London, Doha (Qatar), and Kilimanjaro airport near Arusha, Tanzania, three long flights with layovers.

 

There we connected with the rest of the group.  There were ten of us all together, most of us meeting for the first time. We became fast friends.

We were there 9 days, and what an amazing learning experience it was!  For our purposes here, I will focus mainly on the visit to the Center, which was the most important part of this trip, and the most meaningful.  But if you wish, you can see more details in my online photo album here.

The Manyara Holistic Center (MAHOCE) is a home and school for homeless children in eastern Tanzania, an area of 1.43 million people with no other facility like this.  Their Foundation was created and named Harambee, which is a Swahili word meaning "Let's Pull Together."  The first children to live there were street kids.  The staff are very devoted, and several grew up there.  All religions and tribes are welcome.

When we arrived, Joshua and the children welcomed us and the staff members were introduced.  For a more detailed history, which was part of the welcome program when we first arrived, click here.

The children had written a song and a skit to describe what MAHOCE does for them. They also performed a traditional dance for us.

Here are the three A∆K members who are also on the Board of the Harambee Foundation, which funds MAHOCE.  From left, Cam Johnston, her son Joshua, the Director, Audrey Pyle, and Eleanor Smith from A∆K-PA-Eta.

We had a tour of this amazing facility.  When we saw all the areas of the center, we realized, as Cam pointed out, "You're in the real world now." It was heart-warming and heart-breaking all at the same time.  Makes me think about the real meaning of 'privilege.'

 The dorms

The kitchen

The kitchen storeroom

The garden, which will expand soon, and which includes fruit trees

Laundry

and the classroom, with some of the gifts we brought.  The MEMKWA class teaches unschooled children the skills necessary to test into public school, or if they are older, there is a version of a 2-year GED.

Here are several of us helping put up posters in the classroom.

There is also an "Emergency Room," which is a temporary safe place for children rescued from abuse. 

 

We also helped in the classroom, which of course was so fun!

We returned on Sunday, on which days lunch is served to the children who live here, and also to those who attend school here, but live off campus with parents or caregivers.

Everywhere we went, I was struck by the contrast between the modern and the traditional.  Arusha, where we started, is a very large city, but is somewhat primitive.

Many types of vehicles, and people in both western and traditional dress.

We visited a Maasai village, and their school was in session.

We went to a number of galleries, cultural centers and markets.  But the highlight of the safari portion of the trip was, of course, the animals!  Here are a few of the best photos.  I took some of these, and some were taken by my travel Sisters. 

 

Elephants

Warthogs

Baboons

 Cape Buffalo

Flamingos

Gazelle

Giraffes

Impalas

Ostrich

Tree Lion (very rare to see)

Vervet Monkey

Water Buck

Wildebeest

 

and Zebras

 

We also saw a pair of black rhinos off in the distance, which we were told almost never happens.  One of our "Safari Sisters" was able to get a photo with her professional camera, and has assured us that she will share it with us.  But in the meantime here is a photo from the internet to help me remember.

It was a wonderful experience.  But the most lasting impression it left me with is that our Alpha Delta Kappa World Understanding Projects are so needed and so worthwhile. 

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN DONATING TO THIS VERY WORTHY CAUSE, please send your tax-deductible check to the 

Harambee Foundation

P.O. Box 216

West Point, PA 19486

 

Or on PayPal Giving Fund at

harambeefoundation.org

 

From The Harambee Foundation:

 

Your donation is always wisely spent!  

Donations to the General Fund will be used for whatever the current cost needs are.  But if you wish to specify how your donation will be spent, please consider the following:

You may sponsor the education of a child starting in primary school or up through college.   Sponsorships start at just $100/year for a primary child and go up to $500/year for college.

You may pay a monthly lab bill for just $25. ( Children are tested for malaria, UTI, typhoid, general infections)

You may pay a monthly pharmacy bill for $50. ( Medications for whatever a child may need)

You may purchase a water filter for $50.

You may buy a 220 pound bag of corn for $25.

You may buy a 265 pound bag of beans for $100.

Please consider becoming our partner and help us Empower our children through Education! Together we can free them from a life of poverty!  Thank you!