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 "Habari!" (Swahili for "news") is the bi-monthly newsletter of Godparents for Tanzania, a non-profit organization that provides hope through education to young people in Tanzania, East Africa. |
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We are proud of our
college and university graduates!
As of this year, G4TZ has helped to graduate six health care professionals (doctors, clinical officers and nurses) 13 teachers (from kindergarten through university), five wildlife managers and over 15 other students in various fields. Currently, several additional students (including six medical students) are studying on the university level and are slated to graduate over the next few years.
These talented young people, like Dr. Goodluck "Lucky" Maro (right) who is teaching at Kibaha Clinical Officer Training College, are now employed, earning a living, helping their parents and siblings and contributing to the community. They are doing so with gratitude to the sponsors who supported their education and helped them realize their dreams.
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Another great trip to TZ!
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The kids really liked
their solar reading lamps!
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Five weeks gave us ample time to conduct in-depth interviews with 96 of our G4TZ students! It was wonderful to see our students healthy and doing well in school. All are putting forth their best efforts.
Our special thanks to Pastor Yotham Baha who had the daunting task of scheduling the students for their interviews and to Pidge Morgan who again accompanied us as our official photographer. Our administrator, Kristin Westermann, preceded us by several weeks to take an intensive kiSwahili language training course which proved to be very helpful as she conducted the interviews with our younger students who are still working on their English language skills.
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The first students
to use the new
KVTC computer lab.
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Each of our students received a solar reading lamp which for many will replace the kerosene lantern they used to study at night in homes with no electricity. As one of our kids put it, "This light is poa poa kabisa!" ("Really cool!") We convey their thanks to everyone who contributed for the purchase of the lamps.
It was also very exciting to see the completion of a project we have been working on for several years, the installation of a computer lab at the Karatu Vocational Training Centre. The lab was made possible by a grant from Grace Lutheran Church, Winchester, VA.
We are currently in the process of sharing information about individual students with their sponsors. Please bear with us over the next few weeks as reports are sent. We are attempting to communicate with sponsors by email this year to speed the process.
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Discovery Safari ~ 2013
We are planning for a 2013 Discovery Safari contingent upon sufficient interest. Next year's Safari will depart on June 5 with return on June 19 (dates may vary slightly). Exact cost will be determined once airline fares are available.
For more information, please click here to visit our G4TZ website and select Discovery Safaris and/or contact Dwayne Westermann by email or call 540-353-6341.
Join us for an amazing experience in Tanzania!
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 From the president Marking a Milestone
We have just concluded another trip to Tanzania for the purpose of interviewing each of our students. During our five weeks there, we were able to meet with nearly all of our students. I am always impressed with how hard they are working to take advantage of the opportunity their sponsors have provided them.
What made this trip even more special than usual was to have a visit from our very first student who graduated from medical school several years ago and is now working as a physician and orthopedic surgeon in rural Tanzania. Some of you may remember him from a visit he made to the U.S. many years ago, Daniel Rausen Massawe, now Dr. Massawe. He drove 19 hours from his hospital in Songea in southern Tanzania to see us!
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Daniel with baby Daniela.
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Of course, it was wonderful to see Daniel and his wife, Sharoon, and baby girl, Daniela. What was just as wonderful and a milestone in supporting students in Tanzania was when he told me that he wanted to sponsor a Godparents for Tanzania student. I was a bit taken aback! It hadn't occurred to me that there would so soon come a day when one of the students we had supported would now be in a position to take on the sponsorship of another young student. When I expressed both my delight and surprise, Daniel said, "Well, I don't know why you are surprised. After all, you are the one who taught me how important it is to help poor kids in Tanzania by helping me when I was one of them."
Somehow it felt to me that our work had come full circle. We now have one of our G4TZ graduates supporting another G4TZ student! And, there is even talk among our graduates of forming a "G4TZ Alumni/ae Association" that will receive contributions for the support of still more students!
Yes, it was a very special trip to Tanzania this year! Thank you, Daniel, and thanks to all our G4TZ graduates who are eager to help other kids in need to go to school.
Mungu akubariki sana! (Swahili for: God bless you greatly!)
Dwayne J. Westermann, President Godparents for Tanzania
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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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