MISSION  MOROGORO  TRUSTEES VISIT TUNGULI  OCTOBER 2024

This was our first full visit since the pandemic.  Our base was a house which has become a facility for those visiting this remote area.  We have called it ‘Neema House’ and ‘neema’ is the word for ‘grace’ in Kiswahili.  Water was in very short supply because of months without rains, but water was carried up for us from the village and we managed our showers with bowls of warm water which we tossed over ourselves!   We were made to feel so welcome and enjoyed meeting face to face with those we most often meet in emails and Whatsapps!

During our visit we met often with Welloce, who is our eyes and ears in the village and, through his good offices, we were able to talk with those who play key roles in our outreach, for example, we met with Tito who drives the ambulance we have provided and with the priest in charge of St. Elizabeth’s Church. We were, also, thrilled to meet with the man who regularly gives up his time to help with repairs to the water pumps provided by us a few years back.

During our visit we devoted considerable time to listening to Yona, the midwife we are supporting and who is based at the Tunguli Health Centre. Yona now plays a critical role in supporting our work in maternal and child health and, in particular, travels out on his motorbike to hold clinics with the women who belong to the ‘Tushikamane’ (Stronger Together)  Groups  which were formed by MM nearly a decade ago!  We were welcomed by the women of one of the groups. They danced for us and some of us tried to join in !

Finally, we welcomed the District Commissioner who joined us, plus the staff of the NGO we work with, as we watched the finals of the annual Football Tournament which is sponsored by MM.  This year we added  a women’s team for the first time and, how wonderful, that, in order to be a part of the Tournament, all those young people have played a part in developing the health and hygiene practices of the area ,such as building latrines.

A truly wonderful visit and thank you to all our supporters for enabling our outreach to the wonderful people of this remote community.

John Green   Chair.