This letter has been written by members of Familia Moja in Tabora and only edited by me (Dr Ruth Hulser) to share recent updates.
As they sailed, he (Jesus) fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
Luke 8 vs 23-24
The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. ”
We have all felt like we were sitting in this boat for the last few years. Much of our development work, which is really the holistic side of our Familia Moja project has more less come to a standstill because all funds are needed to cover the cost of medicine and hospital cost (no NHS in Tanzania!) and to support our 156 clients, who receive a basic food package every month. We are grateful to you for saving “our boat from going under” and we will share some stories from our clients. This will help you to see how the help that we can give remains vital for these families.
Amina
Amina is an 8-year-old girl with sickle cell anaemia and developed an infection in the bones in her left foot and the bones were sticking out and rotting. After a long period trying to get treatment in the local regional hospital (it has no orthopaedic doctors) she was referred to the big hospital 300 miles away in Bugando for further examination. The cost of the treatment was very high so we are grateful for your help as her mother cannot afford any expenses.
Salima the mum is a widow, her husband died years ago, she has 9 children, but only the last 4 are still living with her. Her older daughter Asha (18y) has recently given birth to Mussa, a little boy making their lives even more difficult. In one room now live five people and a newborn baby. (We pay the rent for that one room). We have just realised that her husband left her a small plot of land close to our hostel and we have decided that the family and Amina could gain great stability if we could build them a 2 room house and outside toilet and shower. This would cost £750 which we feel would be a wonderful fundraiser for this Christmas as this family has been ‘anchor less’ since the father has passed away.
Baby Christopher
Do you remember baby Christopher whose mother died two weeks after giving birth to him just before Christmas 3 years ago?
We thank God for your generous financing of the incredibly expensive formula in Tanzania. The child continues to get supplies of porridge, cow’s milk, peanut butter, etc. He is now 2 years and ten months old, living with his grandmother, siblings and cousins. Two of his sisters have finished primary school just now and are preparing to go to secondary school with our help.
There are still 6 children living with granny and aunt and no stable source of income. They survive with our double monthly food parcel and help with school expenses.
Emanuel
We met Emanuel a long time ago. He is suffering from a mental health disorder. When we first found him, he could not even say hello. Emanuel lives with his elderly mother who is busy growing and selling green vegetables and spinach.
Emanuel cannot be left sitting outside by himself, so the mother has to lock him inside everyday when she goes around the suburbs trying to sell her vegetables. He will escape and get lost if not locked up. We started to arrange antipsychotic medication by monthly injections that our nurse gives. This helps him to calm down and at least to be somewhat cheerful and he is able to communicate now.
Emanuel managed to escape a few months back and was miles away with us having no idea on how to find him. He was hit by a car and broke his shoulder bone and was in a bad condition for a long time. But, thanks to your support for the needy, we were able to treat him successfully and he is finally doing well. They also receive basic food packages every month so that he and his mother can support themselves.
Leticia
Leticia was five years old when she sustained very bad burns in a kitchen fire. The burns covered several parts of her body and large burns on her head and face. Familia Moja paid for her treatment of the infected burns on the ward in St Phillip Clinic in Tabora for weeks. We then sent her for reconstructive surgery at a specialist hospital in Dar es Salaam, financing the stay (the surgery was free). Her condition has stabilised to a certain extent. Ideally, she would need to undergo further plastic surgery to her face and nose. However, because of your faithful contributions over these years, your love has enabled Leticia to heal enough to return to school. Letitia has amazingly passed last year as the best pupil of a whole region, and the government has offered her a full scholarship for boarding at a governmental school.
Supporting widowed and low income women
Amongst other things, Familia Moja continues to help widowed and low income women to do gardening work under Mama Ndugu’s supervision. This enables them to earn an income and support themselves with the money they get for gardening projects. We see good results from the help that these women get, a new hope and joy of life again. And we begin to see their smile blooming again, they shine again.
“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.”
Luke 11 vs 33
Yes: God’s light is there and we can see it shine in Tabora.
These people whose stories we have shared and many more show how God is bringing his light of hope and love in situations that often would have been so dark otherwise.
We are grateful for your continued partnership in Christ in prayer as well as all other support and wish you a blessed time in Advent and Christmas and a happy New Year.
God bless
From the team in Tabora with Evelyn, Rahabu, Samweli, Neema with all others. Also, from Ruth in UK [who with Phil and Elaine translated and edited this letter].
Familia Moja Community Project 