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 "Habari!" (which means "news" in Swahili) is the bi-monthly newsletter of Godparents for Tanzania, a non-profit organization seeking to provide scholarships for extremely poor youth in Tanzania, East Africa to attend school. |
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Pidge Morgan
with Johnson Lyimo
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Door of Hope Maasai Ministry
by Pidge Morgan
We all know that God works in mysterious ways. Connecting people thousands of miles apart and from totally different cultures is certainly mysterious; but, with God all things are possible.
Door of Hope started in a dream. I met Rev. Johnson Lyimo in 2004 on my first trip to Tanzania with Discovery Safaris. I knew instantly that I had met my true brother. During our safari, he and I talked several times and in one conversation he told me of the dream he had in which an angel appeared in the sky with the words, "God's hope saving ministry."
For several years Johnson, had been involved with the Maasai and knew this was a message for him. He told his wife, Irene, of the dream and they decided to open their home to several Maasai girls to get them away from the HIV/AIDS pandemic, polygamous marriages and to provide a safe Christian environment where the girls could be educated. After my return to the U.S., I could not get Johnson's idea for a safe home for the Maasai girls out of my head. When I returned to Tanzania the following year with Godparents for Tanzania, I promised I would help Johnson with his dream.
While visiting Tarangire National Park, Johnson, Sally Johnston, coordinator of Christian education at Trinity Ecumenical Parish, and I talked about what was already happening with the project for the girls. Johnson had purchased a lot and building had begun. He asked us to pray about the project and think of a name for the ministry. He promised to show us the progress made when we returned to Moshi. On our last night in Tarangire, I had a dream in which a uniquely carved door appeared. When I awoke the following morning, I drew a picture of the door in my notebook. We returned to Moshi two days later and went with Johnson to view the site. There on the front of the building was the door that had appeared in the dream! There was no question; the project for the Maasai girls would become "Door of Hope."
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Maasai girls at DHM
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Since that first visit in 2005, much has happened at Door of Hope Ministry. As with many construction projects anywhere, there are always problems. In Africa, it is two steps forward and one step back. But, as stated before, all things are possible with God. Today, there are five buildings, a cattle shelter, vegetable garden, water tap and an electrical service pole within the grounds of DHM. Seven girls, a matron and two boys to tend the cattle live within the compound. Three more girls will arrive in August. All of the girls attend school and are healthy and happy. They understand that DHM is a gift that will enable them to lead better and more productive lives that will in turn benefit their families, communities and country.
The Bible tells us many times that we are our brother's keeper, not just to feed and clothe each other, but to feed the spirit and nurture one another in our walk of faith.
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 Reservations now open for 2012 Discovery Safari The 2012 Discovery Safari will depart Washington-Dulles Airport on July 11, flying on KLM Airlines to Kilimanjaro International Airport via Amsterdam with return to Washington-Dulles on July 26. Join us for a great adventure in Africa to meet some amazing people, learn about what life is like in a developing country and see the incredible wildlife of Tanzania "on safari" to Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park. Click here for details on our website. Select "Discovery Safaris" in the left hand menu. |
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 Neema Michael Gwandu A new teacher for Tanzania
We met Neema in November, 2000, and learned about her very difficult family situation and terrible living conditions. During her primary school years, she was struggling with an abusive father who "...came home late in the night to beat my mother for no reason and shout at me and bang doors. I was living my worst nightmare. In fear for my life and security I had to move out and go to our neighbors to seek shelter, food, and security. It was not easy for me doing this, I prayed to God to give me strength, and my prayers were answered when our neighbor decided to take me in until I finish my primary education."
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Gwandu house
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Neema managed to complete primary school and then had to take a job as a housekeeper "...and this helped me to get food for survival...[but] my hopes to join secondary school were gone."
It was at this time that we were visiting in her village and Neema, who is musically gifted, was the lead singer in the group of children who welcomed us. After learning of her story, we were able to arrange a scholarship at a residential secondary school where housing and food would not be a problem. Given the opportunity to study without fearing for her own survival, Neema made excellent grades, became class prefect and an elected member of the student government. She decided she wanted to become a teacher, "because it is an interest from my heart, and also...through my career of being a teacher my country will develop. I am sure of getting a reliable employment and I will help my family, community and myself. I want to become a teacher of kiSwahili, in order to improve our national language...and by teaching Geography I will help the students to be able to know the world, by understanding various matters such as climate, environment, etc. and to prepare them for getting their employment after their studies, as I believe that teachers are the source of getting people in other professions such as Nurses, Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, Managers, and many others."
Neema was accepted at a highly rated teacher's college and will graduate this year with her Bachelors of Education to become the teacher she has long hoped to be. We are both very proud of her and thankful to those who sponsored her through six years of secondary school and three years of college. We join Neema in saying to all who supported her, "Mungu awabariki sana!" (kiSwahili for "God bless you all greatly!")
Congratulations, Neema!
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 From the president We are packing our bags for another trip to Tanzania, departing on June 15. This is our annual "student interview trip" when we will spend about a month in Moshi and Karatu visiting with each of our 126 students. We think it is essential to see how each of our students is progressing, both in terms of school and in their personal lives. We want to know each of our kids and to be sure they are doing well. In many respects, young people in Tanzania are no different than those in our own country. They are growing and learning about life and struggling with what they want to be and do. What differentiates most of them from youth in the US is that they come from very poor homes built of sticks and mud which makes their desire to take advantage of the opportunity for education all the more fervent. They know that without an education, they will spend their lives in the same poverty into which they were born. One of the joys of seeing each of our students every year is to celebrate with them their educational achievements and their hopes for the future. Some of our university level students will be with us for the interviews. They act as interpreters with younger students whose English is still rudimentary. But they also understand, and help us to understand, the stresses our students are enduring as they deal with family expectations and the anxiety of passing the national exams which determine whether they will be allowed to continue their education to the next level. Once we return from these interviews, we will be able to report to each of our sponsors on how the young person you are supporting is doing. It might take us a couple of months to send all the reports, but we will do our best to send them as soon as possible.
Asante sana na Mungu akubariki sana! (Swahili for: Thank you very much and God bless you greatly!)
Dwayne J. Westermann, President Godparents for Tanzania |
Godparents for Tanzania
A 501(c)(3) public charity incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Post: P.O. Box 20221, Roanoke, VA 24018-3810 Email: tellmemore@godparents4tz.org Voice: 1-540-353-6341 |
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