BTS NEWSLETTERBTS NEWSLETTERBTS NEWSLETTERBTS NEWSLETTER September 2011 Volume 9, Issue 3 www.btsociety.org www.tandevtrust.org

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ROBIN NEWELL We record with deep regret and sadness the death of our former TDT Chairman, Robin Newell. All those who worked with Robin were full of admiration for his energy, his commitment, and his close involvement

with so many projects throughout Tanzania. Si monumentum requiris, circumspice. Ann and Julian Marcus and Eiry and Trevor Jaggar represented the BTS at a wonderful memorial service for Robin at his local church in Barcombe, Sussex, on 8 July. For a full obituary, please see page 5 of this issue.

Habari Njema ! TDT Makes Record Grants Here is a news item that would truly have gladdened Robin Newell’s heart. At a special meeting in London on 21 July, the Tanzania Development Trust awarded grants totalling nearly £35,000. This

happy situation resulted in part from the receipt last year of a substantial legacy. For information on helping in this way see Page 8. Information on recent new projects starts on Page 9.

Is there egg on your Facebook? “Social Media”, it seems,

need not be just about teenagers telling their mates what they had for breakfast. Increasingly, businesses and charities are getting in on the act, using media like Twitter and Facebook to tell people about their work, and developing a network of committed supporters in the process. Nor is it just a young person’s pastime. Research shows that “silver surfers” are the fastest-growing users of the social media. So maybe this is a good time to cast aside inhibitions and take a look at the new TDT Facebook site. You can Google us or use the link from the TDT website. Could you be our Communications and/or Web Manager? See pages 2 & 4.

Royal Wedding Day, Dar es Salaam style Antony Shaw writes, “For those who are curious, the BTS members were all invited to a Royal Wedding celebration party at the High Commissioner’s residence. Diane and her team worked hard to prepare for the day – we were even sent gilt-edged invites, most going to new members all of whom are under 40. Each guest was asked to donate 20000TSH to the Royal Couple’s nominated charities plus good causes in Iringa and Mwanza. The Citizen paper sent me some questions relating to the event. I therefore made some general comments along the lines of “The BTS are delighted to attend the High Commissioner’s event”, “BTS is pleased the event in Dar is being used to raise funds for good causes”, “BTS are delighted that the event in Dar brings Brits, Tanzanians and other Commonwealth citizens together”. I was asked how the event related to Tanzanians? My response was that the pageantry and pomp may perhaps remind Tanzanians of the rich heritage of their nation and the importance of retaining the best traditions for future generations. So I hope the responses will not be perceived as either Royalist or Republican!” Thanks, Antony, for this item. See Page 15 for further news of BTS Tanzania Chapter.

2011 AGM is on Saturday 12 November. See separate sheets with this newsletter

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BTS Scotland The next meeting is on Saturday October 8th 2011 11am-2pm in the Cutting Room at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street, EH6 8RG (just off Leith Walk) [tel: 0131 555 7100] see venue details below. The new Chair of the Britain Tanzania Society, Willie Fulton, and his wife, Gail will be with us and will tell us briefly about the Mango Tree charity and update us on developments at BTS. Also we hope members of the Scottish Group will share some of their Tanzanian experiences. This will be a 3-hour meeting so we will have plenty of time to socialise. We can each order food from the Drill Hall café and eat in the meeting room. We will ask for the usual donation of £3.

To contact Ann beforehand email annpatriciaburgess@yahoo.co.uk.

Debate: Beware of the Dragon… < not a BTS event, but may interest members > Africa should not look to China 28 November, 2011, doors open 6 pm Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, London

“We all know that the Chinese are the neo-colonialists of Africa. The relentless pursuit of growth is China’s only spur… But is this picture really fair? China has an impressive track record of lifting its own millions out of poverty and can do the same for Africa. And is the West’s record in Africa as glowing as we like to think? After decades of pouring aid into Africa, how much have we actually achieved in terms of reducing poverty, corruption and war? So which way should Africa look for salvation – to the West, to China, or perhaps to its own people? Come to the debate and decide for yourself.” Tickets £25/£12.50 available online from http://www.intelligencesquared.com/events/beware-of-the-dragon ___________________________________

African Arguments is both a series of short books about Africa today and a blogging website http://africanarguments.org hosted by The RAS and Social Science Research Council. It was

founded in 2006 by RAS Director Richard Dowden and Alex de Waal - Director of the HIV/AIDS and Social Transformation Programme, Social Science Research Council.

African Arguments Online brings issues covered in the book series to a wider audience with the rapidity of a news magazine and the reach of the internet. A number of leading public intellectuals—writers, scholars, activists—contribute regular columns. Further information on www.africanarguments.org. _________________________________________________

TDT Communications Manager As we seek to broaden our fund raising, we need a volunteer to take responsibility for communicating this increasingly important part of our work. This fascinating challenge will involve the use of website, social media and other channels to take our engagement with potential fund raisers to a new level. Web site experience, as well as familiarity with various social media (Facebook, Twitter etc) would be advantageous. You don’t need to be an expert with HTML or coding, as the website is run through a user interface, and free training can be provided at Oxford. More critical is a sense of design and a commitment to the role of Information Technology in supporting grass roots development projects. You would be welcome to join the TDT Committee which meets 4-5 times per year in London. Please phone Julian Marcus on 020 8668 5230 or email TDT1@O2.co.uk if interested. __________________________________________________

From Danny Mwasandube Danny was for many years our stalwart TDT Treasurer before moving back to Tanzania. He writes, “Greetings from Dar! My family have at long last all joined me in Dar. We have terminated our account with BT, and we have limited time to continue using the "@btinternet.com" e-mail address. Could you therefore please start using my new e-mail address - dmwasandube@gmail.com; my work e-mail address continues to be in use as well. Kind regards to you all, Danny.

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§ The Sashita Ball on May 28th was attended

by 180 people and raised nearly £7000.

§ The Diaspora III conference was attended by Apollo and Frederick in London on 6th and 7th of May. This discussed ways in which the government of Tanzania could tap into the expertise of the Diaspora to assist the country in the areas of commerce, education, volunteering. The Tanzania government now has a Director of the Diaspora Engagement and Opportunities in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation - she is Ms Bertha Somi. Organizations that participated from Tanzania included the Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA), Tanzania Investment Bank (TIB), Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), The Parastatal Pensions Fund (PPF), National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and the National Housing Corporation.

§ Jubilee Scotland Ann attended their AGM

(www.jubileescotland.org.uk) at which they had a video conferencing link with Deus Kabimba, a policy analyst and activist in Tanzania. Jubilee Scotland campaigns to end ‘debt slavery’. They now receive our notices and would be interested in talking to the group.

§ Tanzania’s 50th anniversary will be celebrated around December 9th. Kenya and Uganda may be involved making it an East African event. Jenny agreed to lead a committee to start to plan this. Irene and Maggie will try to contact people/groups associated with Kenya and Uganda. TzSN/BTS members will be kept informed of progress. Contact Jenny if you want to help to plan this. js@satv.co.uk Follow-up matters

§ Sending goods to Tanzania David gave update of the materials being sent via READ to Tanzania. He says “It was through a BTSS meeting that I met a group of Edinburgh University students with links to East Africa. They have sent five boxes of primary school resources, which I had collected and stored at the Surplus Educational Supplies Foundation (http://www.grenadarelief.co.uk) industrial unit in Edinburgh, through ‘Read International’ to an orphanage school in Tanzania.” And Olivia

Faulkner sent this email in June: “The parcels are on their way to Tanzania at the moment, but will not be ready for pick up in Dar es Salaam until the end of July/beginning of August. I am returning to Tanzania in July for 5weeks where I’m opening a new nursery school for orphans. The books however will be distributed to local ill-equipped primary and secondary schools. I'm very excited about the trip and will be able to let you know how it all turns out when I return from Tanzania in August! Just so you know the boxes we sent through READ still cost £300 for the delivery of 5 boxes weighing an average of 30k. And we'll see what happens on delivery.”

§ Making links with other Scotland-based African organisations Ann circulated lists of a) people/organisations who receive our notices and b) African groups to which TzSN members belong. She felt that the purpose of maintaining/increasing these links was so we all knew what each other was doing, and could support each others events – see separately attached list.

§ Talk: ‘Twende Pamoja Trust’ & ‘Pamoja art’ Mike Knox’s fascinating illustrated presentation of ‘Twende Pamoja’ showed how it has fostered relationships between communities and schools in Scotland and the Kilimanjaro District of Tanzania over the years. Mike described the reasons for and development of the social enterprise company ‘Pamoja Art’ (www.pamoja-art.co.uk). They presented a Fringe event ‘A View from Two Volcanoes’ at St Mary’s Metropolitan Cathedral Hall in August. mikeknox2@me.com

Tanzania Scotland Network and BTS Scottish Group contacts: Ralph Ibbott 01875 818658; Ann Burgess annpatriciaburgess@yahoo.co.uk; Jennifer Sharp js@satv.co.uk Mary Willis: 01506 842 638; Apollo Temu atemu@tzeca.org.uk; Jim McCarthy mccarthy-james4@sky.com. Anyone with links with Tanzania can join the Tanzania Scotland Network Yahoo group TzSN@yahoogroups.co.uk. Thanks to Ann Burgess for keeping us updated of the activities of our very active groups north of the border.

Ed.

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Find TDT on Facebook At a recent ‘brainstorming day’, TDT Committee agreed on the need to attract more donors from outside our traditional BTS sources, its members, and other trusts. In particular, younger fund raisers, with no connection to the Trust, did not seem to be ‘finding’ us. An easy litmus test is given by the thousands of sponsored Kilimanjaro climbers: why do relatively few donate to a charity so clearly dedicated to good works locally?

However, as a voluntary organisation, we need to be realistic about resources. The web offers a low-cost way to engage a mass audience, with social media its fastest-growing part. ‘Social media’ encapsulates sites such as Facebook and Twitter which enable people to network over the Internet. You may think they are just meeting places for the young to exchange trivia. Not so. Average ages of social media users are climbing, with the fastest growth in numbers recently among ‘silver surfers’. Increasingly, businesses are developing social media strategies. Thus there is a varied and huge audience out there.

Facebook is our natural starting point, as it boasts 750 million active users, of whom more than 50% log in on any given day! Charity web site JustGiving reports that 15% of all visits that result in donations come via Facebook.

“Fundraising is a story. You have to tell that story, to a group of people who will be interested, interact and support you,” says JustGiving. This describes fund raising via social media in a nutshell. In setting up our Facebook page, Jonathan Pace and I have kept this quotation in mind: it has to tell a story, and we must develop a constituency of friends interested in Tanzania and in our activities.

If you have a Facebook account – or know people who do – please visit the page and add yourself to our list of friends (find us via Google, or click the link on the TDT website). Please also bear in mind that it is early days, and that the two

people who set up and administer the page have a combined age of 116! However, it should be clear that we are putting in place the basis for a much greater dialogue with supporters, which we intend will result in greater recognition of our ‘brand’ and ultimately in more people fund raising on our behalf. We have also opened a twitter account (@tanzdevtrust), but this is very embryonic.

Tweaking the web site. Since it was set up, our web site (www.tanzdevtrust.org) has been maintained admirably by our Chairman, with comprehensive information on the way we work, projects funded, and on Tanzania as a whole. However, research into a number of ‘best practice’ guidelines for a fund-raising site suggested that some tweaking was required to enhance its effectiveness. We have made a start by placing more ‘actionable’ links on our front page, and the Donate page now gives a more comprehensive explanation of the ways in which donors can help us. We have also set up a new JustTextGiving account. This new service, supported by a national TV advertising campaign, enables small donations to be made directly by text message. The details of our code and how to donate can be found on TDT’s website. Further development of Facebook and the website offers further exciting prospects, but will need to wait at least until our committee is joined by a communications/ website manager. This is an urgent requirement, and with our new initiatives to broaden our fund raising base, potentially a most interesting and rewarding role: please see our advertisement.

Could you Manage the TDT website? See Page 2 for details.

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ROBIN NEWELL 11 October 1944 – 21 May 2011

We record with deep regret the death of our former TDT Chairman, Robin Newell.

After graduating from St Andrew’s University, Robin became an ‘oil man’, joining the vast BP company. Postings in various countries followed. In 1972 soon after his marriage to Sacha, he was sent to Australia, where he much enjoyed the outdoor life and sailing. After a period at Head Office in London, during which time Sacha’s and Robin’s beloved two daughters were born, he was sent in 1985 to be Managing Director of BP Tanzania. It was a time of great privation in the country and Robin recalled that the family was advised to take with them ‘everything they would need for a year’ and this even included crates of loo paper! They had the luxury of living in a great colonial house near Oyster Bay, and Robin somehow managed to persuade his Board of the necessity of purchasing a small 2 engine light aircraft so that he could get around the huge country which had such difficult transport links. Of course, this also enabled him to get to places like the Ruaha National Park, well before it began to be much visited by tourists and both he and Sacha climbed Kilimanjaro. After his retirement to his beautiful home in East Sussex, where his garden was his passion, he also became a skilled potter, much influenced by Bernard Leach. In 2004, he responded to Ron Fennell’s invitation to become Chair of TDT and under his leadership, the

Trust’s income rose considerably and the scope and range of the projects greatly widened. His leadership was always extremely courteous, even to those with whom he disagreed or when he had spotted what he thought was some error in the accounts! He became much involved in many of the projects, especially the Shashui water project in the Usambara mountains, for which he arranged the finance. He retired from TDT, but it was characteristic of him that in February, just three months before he died, he and Sacha hosted a lunch to facilitate a further grant for the Nusuru Orphanage in Bukoba. We send our sympathy and gratitude for Robin to Sacha, Katharine and Philippa.

Ann and Julian Marcus and Eiry and Trevor Jaggar represented the BTS at a wonderful Memorial Service for Robin at his local Church in Barcombe on 8 July. Sadly, the Fennells and Fultons were not able to be there as they were in Tanzania and China respectively. ________________________________________________

Dr Elly Macha Elly visited the UK for a job interview with SightSavers back in May. Sadly she did not secure the post, but the visit gave a number of members a chance to meet her. The Marcuses laid on tea and then supper at their house, a sort of a mini BTS summer party. Elly was born blind and was a pupil at Irente School for the Blind near Lushoto under the care of Mama Ruben. Irente has been supported by TDT over many years. Elly was, we think, the first blind student to graduate at the University of Dar es Salaam and then was sponsored by BTS/TDT members on a personal basis (not BTS or TDT as organisations, as that would be contrary to our rules) to complete first a Master's degree, then a Doctorate at Leeds University. A remarkable person, by any standards.

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Chomachankola: a tale of drought

Chomachankola lies to the north of Tabora and to the south of Shinyanga, ‘near’ to the small town of Nzega where the cross country buses pass through. Angela Monkman Brushett writes, “It is reminiscent of the parts of Tanganyika I grew up in during the 40s and 50s, a wide spread, murum soil, semi-desert area (scarcely mentioned in “Lonely Planet”) with cotton and the odd rogue mineral mine. Nearly two years, ago I stayed with two Catholic priests – Father Alex and Father Joseph – for just under a very dry week and was offered immense friendship and hospitality of the quiet Tanzanian kind. We met no other wazungu…”

I saw at first hand that this community (Christian, Muslim and local animist cultures) has little except a strong community spirit. The government primary school is overcrowded and under resourced as are so many, and a little kindergarten in the charge of a lovely young lady teacher. It was this school that I was able to assist with my small Charity Books4Tanzania and the concerned input of one of the UK’s leading women barristers. I was also taken to a small secondary school out in the pori – and observed some excellent teaching of Maths and English in the middle of the bush from smart, committed teachers, again under-resourced, even then working in semi drought conditions.

“This was two years ago.

Mungu knows what it’s like now ! ”

We attempted to source some funding from a variety of agencies, including our own Tanzania Development Trust for a community website and even found them a website designer in the UK who could do it quite cheaply ( TZ prices are astronomical!). But sadly we were unsuccessful. How useful that website would be under present drought circumstances to show the rest of the

world how the Choma area is faring with no water… Father Alex Nduayo is an energetic, intelligent and committed young man with a parish community of nearly 2000 sq.km. He is a farmer’s son and rationally turned to what he knows best in order to lead the community appropriately. He gained Dutch Embassy funding for a domestic corn (maize) processing plant and more funding for a piggery and he has actively encouraged cultivation around the village to grow mainly crops, maize, millet, rice, banana, papaya and potatoes…And of course I imagine he will get limited diocesan funding for his parish. All this is in his spare time as he has increasingly a very demanding neighbourhood. The bottom line is that we have regularly communicated for the last 2 years by e-mail and I have followed his concerns about semi drought for some months.

Recently I wrote to ask him for an up-date on the drought effects in his region, having heard nothing of Tanzania in the media reports. That was when I had a concerning reply – the local community is not able to plant next year’s crops and do not have enough of this year’s meagre harvest to feed everyone, of all the people who increasingly come to see him about 80% are having drought related and humanitarian problems for which he can offer no practical resolution.

Father Nduayo – he’s always smiling”

“The situation is BAD, soon going to be VERY BAD. You can’t imagine in my parish farm I didn’t

BTS NEWSLETTERBTS NEWSLETTERBTS NEWSLETTERBTS NEWSLETTER Drought, continuedDrought, continuedDrought, continuedDrought, continued PAGE 7PAGE 7PAGE 7PAGE 7 even go to plant due to lack of water in the rice field. To your question what you can help? The question is very difficult, what is possible for you, do it. I will appreciate it,” he wrote back.

The best way seemed to be to try to raise awareness in the UK about Chomachankola’s plight if Tanzania continues to be absent from media coverage. So I wrote to several people, including Willie Fulton, who wrote straight back to me with a couple of suggestions, one of which was to pen this article. I e-mailed Ann Burgess at The BTS Scottish branch (my nearest branch) and she copied to members. One reply came straight back from another Tanzanian member, currently in Dar es Salaam, confirming the worsening situation in north west Tanzania (Shinyanga area). I e-mailed one of my most articulate and influential beneficiaries in the southern highlands of Tanzanian government from whom I heard this week, again confirming news of drought in the Shinyanga, Nzega area, but also confirming that the Tanzanian government were at present ‘managing’ the situation. That news was minimally re-assuring. But I still see nothing on the TV about Tanzania’s drought problems.

I am convinced that many BTS members will have contributed to the DEC Drought Fund and we are all aware that the Tanzanian High Commission is pretty pro-active in London. But when one is in touch in an up close and personal way with a drought hit region one can feel pretty impotent. Not at all sure what I could do alone, I finally determinedly contacted my local constituency M.P. Tim Farron, Chair of the Lib Dems, and previously President of my small charity, Books4Tanzania. And I took up his kind offer in response, which was to be in touch with DfID and the Sec. of State so that ordinary people could feel that they were helping in some way, by raising voices.

I was at boarding school in Kenya, although my home was at that time in Dar es Salaam, at the last major drought with which this one is being likened – in 1956. What I do remember clearly of that season are immense rattling locust swarms which darkened the sun and a brooding

atmosphere of lingering death and despair being reported by those who travelled from northern Kenya. It was, and is again, a BAD time. Tanzania. I heard back this week, again confirming news of drought in the Shinyanga, Nzega area but also confirming that the

Angela Monkman Brushett (Mamma Malaika) is a member of BTS, a member of the East African Women’s League and an old girl of Mbeya School and the Kenya High School. She grew up and was educated in Tanganyika and Kenya and returns regularly to Tanzania. Now a retired Educationist, over the past decade she has founded and acted as Exec trustee of a small busy reg. charity for Tanzania which sadly has now had to cease functioning due to international recession. She maintains strong contact with Tanzanians.

Ofi meets Ras Nas Ofi Press Magazine, an international online literary magazine from Mexico, this month features an interview with the celebrated Tanzanian musician Ras Nas. Ras Nas, aka Nasibu Mwanukuzi, was born in Morogoro but now lives in Norway. His music blends African rhythms and reggae with a dash of poetry and his latest album “Dar es Salaam” has just been released by Kongoi Records. His influences include singing in a church choir as a boy and seeing performances of Shakespeare plays translated by Julius Nyerere. Read this fascinating interview in Ofi Press at http://theofipress.webs.com/interview.htm. Find out more about Ras Nas' latest projects at: www.rasnas.kongoi.com

With thanks to Jack Little via Willie Fulton

Randal Sadleir

Many BTS members will have known Randal Sadleir, and most will know of him.

The beneficiaries of Randal Sadleir’s estate have nominated TDT to receive secondary royalties from his writings.

TDT would like to express its sincere thanks for this gift. It also highlights another way in which a legacy can be left.

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Legacy giving: Making an enduring difference The ability of Tanzania Development Trust to make life-changing grants in 2010-11 was transformed this year by a significant legacy, providing the basis of a record-breaking year. We made 26 grants totalling well over £100,000. However, as a policy, TDT seeks to put its funds to work, rather than sitting on significant reserves. Thus, the bulk of this generous legacy, received early in the year, has now been disbursed.

The TDT Committee has prepared a brochure to explain how including a gift in your will to TDT can be a simple but effective way to leave a lasting legacy, transforming lives and communities in Tanzania. Recent tax changes also make it an opportune time to do so. The 2011 Budget introduced a reduction in Inheritance Tax from 40% to 36% on estates leaving at least 10% to charity. As always, we can promise that 100% of your gift will go to local community development projects on the ground in Tanzania. Your gift could help to equip clinics, build schools or provide clean water and sanitation in remote areas. Just one simple gift in your will could mean that more children in Tanzania learn to read, have access to clean water and grow up to fulfil their potential.

Above: The gift of education.

Gifts can be specific or general – and of any size. If you would like your gift to be used in a particular region of Tanzania or for a particular type of project (e.g. health, education, water etc), we will always respect your wishes. If you

have a specific purpose for your legacy in mind, we would suggest that you contact us to discuss this in greater detail. Former members have, for example, endowed a school building and a maize mill. Finally, let me add that any donation, of any size, would be sincerely appreciated and used with the utmost care.

Our brochure on legacy giving includes a codicil which could be added to your Will. Download it from our web site, www.tanzdevtrust.org. * For a hard copy, or if you would like a personal and private conversation about leaving a gift in your will to TDT, or if you have questions you want answered, please contact Sally Parson on 01626 351079 or by email to parsonsally@yahoo.co.uk

Inheritance Tax is a complex subject, and we recommend that you seek professional advice. *http://dl.dropbox.com/u/31845694/TDT%20Legacy%20Document%202011%20%28a%29%20revised%20RL.pdf ___________________________________________________

A Great READ hits a Million Read International, the book-distributing charity started at Nottingham University in 2005, have once again been busily sorting and packing books. Their latest consignment of twelve containers with 296,965 books has now arrived in Tanzania and Uganda and will benefit an estimated 160,000 students and teachers. This brings the total so far to a staggering 1,147,241 books. READ’s trained student volunteers, from many campuses around the UK, are now developing contacts with a further 350 schools and libraries. A phenomenal achievement which has grown from a small group of students trying to change the world!

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NEWS FROM YOUR TANZANIA DEVELOPMENT TRUST LEGACY SAVES LIVES AND IMPROVES HEALTH, EDUCATION AND AGRICULTURE TDT had a record –breaking year in 2010-11, thanks to its biggest ever donation, given as a result of a legacy. This has enabled us to do more than ever before. You can find all the details in the Annual Report which comes with this Newsletter. Have you included TDT in your will? We have prepared a special Legacy leaflet and our Treasurer, Robert Gibson, writes about

it elsewhere in this issue. The Trust had an extra meeting in July to allocate money to projects and to plan for the future. Here are some of the projects:

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION Major problems in Tanzania’s Secondary Education system- the rapid expansion has led to major teacher shortages and declining performance- makes vocational education even more important. Kahama Education Centre in rural Shinyanga region trains students in tailoring and information technology. They have had to exist in very inadequate, rented accommodation. TDT’s grant of £3,380 is going to make it possible for them to have a purpose built centre.

KIVIDEA Another remarkable provider of vocational education is KIVIDEA in Kigoma. This NGO started with a small group of young people in Kigoma town and now has 13 out-stations providing vocational training in agriculture, carpentry, metalwork, tailoring etc. Pictured is the main demonstration shamba 80km from the town. Our grant of £3800

will help renovate the main centre in Kigoma where much of the anti-AIDS education is carried out. (The Tz Government has terminated its anti-AIDS programme in Kigoma through lack of funds).

AGRICULTURE SUPPORTS ORPHANS BTS-TZ member, Michael Njumba and his local Kagera NGO, Kikukwe Development Initiative (KCDI), have come up with a very imaginative way of helping the carers of orphans to generate income and to benefit the local ecology. With a grant of just £800 from TDT, they are buying 500 grafted Mango seedlings from Sokoine University of Agriculture. Over one hundred carers of orphans will be allocated mango trees to plant, tend, fertilise and

water. These will start producing fruit in less than 5 years. Some of the fruit will

improve the diet of the cared-for children and the surplus will be sold. A small-

scale win-win project! (Photo - Tree Aid).

“Dear Bwana Julian “Dear Bwana Julian “Dear Bwana Julian “Dear Bwana Julian MarcusMarcusMarcusMarcus Receive many Greetings from Kahama Education Centre. We thanks very much for your email, and on behalf of Kahama education Centre, we would like to thanks in advance for the funds requested for our construction project, we are very happy to hear that our project was considered, Receive many thanks from us, and all are happy and will be more happy if one day TDT TDT TDT TDT MEMBERSMEMBERSMEMBERSMEMBERS will visit us here in Kahama, welcome at Kahama education centre, Benson Mganga”Benson Mganga”Benson Mganga”Benson Mganga”

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MORE FROM BABU CHOO! Be thankful that the wonders of modern Technology do not allow digital photos to capture odours - or to be more accurate, stenches. These left are the existing toilets at Lake Tanganyika Primary School in Kigoma, and they are used by over 1000 girls and boys. From the outside they don’t look too bad, but dating from the 1970s, they are dilapidated and unhygienic. The

Headteacher was delighted to hear that my nickname with several of our project partners is ‘Babu Choo’ (The Loo Grandpa)! He was quick to take my wife, Ann and me to see them on our visit of TDT projects in January and February and we could smell the appalling stink from 100 metres away. They were among the worst school toilets I had ever seen. Our grant of £6,170 will enable the school, assisted by a local NGO, to replace first of all the girls’ toilets. We still need to find the money to replace the boys’ loos.

PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION, Mang’ula Mang’ula Village Kindergarten in Morogoro region was visited in March of this year by TDT Project Officer, Tony Janes. He recommended support from TDT because there is no Government provision in this very poor area. Many of the children are orphans. The funding for all staff is provided by the community from their agricultural income. The coordinator said that this was tough but the community are determined to support the school. TDT’s grant of £3,500 will allow the Mang’ula community to complete the unfinished classroom.

WATER-HARVESTING FOR THE DISABLED

The Kwa-Mkono Polio hostel in the dry Handeni district of Tanga region is home to 41 children who have serious disabilities due to polio and other causes. The children attend local schools and do very well – one youngster, Adam, who has no hands came 2nd in the whole school in his exam results. The biggest problem for the staff is the shortage of water and its high cost, if they have to buy it. TDT’s grant of £1,180 is for a water-harvesting system with a series of gutters feeding large plastic storage tanks.

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HOUSING FOR TEACHERS, Fundo Island off Pemba Teachers’ housing is usually too expensive for TDT, although we recognise its importance in attracting and retaining staff. However Fundo island, off the coast of Pemba is a special case. Fundo is a low-lying island which is home to around 3500 people and it has a school with primary and secondary sections on one campus. It takes about 40 minutes in a motor-boat to reach Fundo from the port of Wete. Some teachers try to commute, others stay during the week. If the weather is bad, all must stay on Fundo, because the crossing becomes unsafe- hence the need for teachers’ accommodation. My wife and I were invited into the bedroom of 3 teachers. Their beds are matting slung across poles; their clothes hang on bits of string. There is nowhere to prepare lessons or mark books. The toilet/bathroom might have come from a Stalinist gulag. So TDT is glad to be working with the excellent local NGO, Fundo Fisheries, to provide a complete restoration- hence our larger than usual grant of £6,900. So, we were able to make grants to eleven projects, totalling just over £35,000- which is wonderful. But to continue the work we are constantly in need of funds. With this Newsletter, you will receive another appeal for funds- I hope you will continue to support us generously. Please remember, Every pound given to TDT is spent on projects. Nothing goes on admin, fund-raising, printing nor on visits to Tanzania. TDT is entirely run by volunteers, who give their time and pay for their own visits. So nothing you give is wasted- and your donation really can change lives. Julian Marcus Chairman

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Heshima Textiles Project by Naomi Crocker

‘Heshima’ means ‘respect’ in Swahili and after spending only three short weeks volunteering for a seemingly tiny project in Kisongo, just outside Arusha in Northern Tanzania, I came to know its meaning on a totally new and special level; through the local Maasai women I worked alongside, the amazing and gracious hospitality of old and new friends and through meeting and hearing the inspirational testimonies of Alison and Steve.

My parents were missionaries in Zambia until we moved

back for me to start school in 1987. But I believe it was

the colour, atmosphere and heat of that culture

experienced in those early years that gave me a passion for art, textiles and fashion. I studied Textile

Crafts at Huddersfield University, then got a job in fashion retail. Three years ago I found myself

working at Harrods selling designer Sportswear; the department I now manage. Finally last year, I

began to explore how I could marry my childhood experiences with my creative and management skills.

But where to start....?

Six months ago my Mother met an old university friend, Katie Rowe. Katie told her how her son (Simon) and daughter in law (Emily) lived in Arusha as teachers and about their involvement in the Heshima charity. She also mentioned an idea of establishing a textile training centre for the local Maasai women on the Heshima site. But with no experience in this area, they would need help.

So I booked flights to Nairobi for 7th May. Having no real idea of what to expect when I arrived, it was quite hard to prepare. But I had fun going back through visual diaries from university and collecting articles and fair-trade magazines. Arriving on African soil was very exciting but the realisation of being there on my own with a journey still ahead of me was a little daunting. It was a relief to meet Emily at the Impala Hotel. Emily told me about a friend of hers, Hannah who has a contact in the States who would like to buy khanga serviettes made by the ladies to sell to schools to use as merit marks. The ladies had made some initial samples, but Emily said there were issues with consistency of size and standards. This would perhaps be a main focus for me over the following three weeks.

I had tried not to arrive with any particular expectations, rather, just turn up and then establish how I best to use of my time. Steve picked me up with Melissa, my translator during my stay. To be honest, language was a barrier I hadn’t considered. In Zambia, English was a second language to most, so I had not anticipated being the only English speaker on site... So it was fantastic to meet Melissa with the realisation that the ladies had incredibly limited English.

The first day was spent making introductions, spending time with Melissa and Grace and finding out what they were making. I also had my first go on a manual sewing machine which was very entertaining for everyone! It felt like a work out. I showed them a few simple techniques with some scraps of fabric and watched them have a go and explore how they could use the ideas; as decorations, a fastening perhaps ... language wasn’t a barrier to their imaginations and creativity. We understood each other perfectly.

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There was a lot of rain during my first week. The building we used was built for a guard and store room, but with the rains, the main building was just a waterlogged hole in the ground. The ladies make do very well, but what a difference a purpose built textile centre will make! Access is also restricted by lack of a road to the site. In the rains, it is impossible to make any progress with plans for development on the site.

From day one, I was so moved by the ladies’ enthusiasm and eagerness to learn. I had wondered whether Grace (Heshima’s paid seamstress and trainer) might feel I was treading on her toes but her name summed her up. I realised on that first day that the ladies had not stitched by hand before so lesson one was just that. I think I prepared about 10-15 stitches for us to practise the following day... we managed to get through about 4 in about 3 hours! I was just mesmerised by how each and every one took so much pride and care in their work... It was great preparation for them when it came to preparing their serviette samples the following day and the one to one time spent with them helped me learn most of their names.

During my time there I put together a technical file of all the techniques we managed to cover. It was great to see individuals making their own files. Here, Esther wanted to learn more while the others were having a break. She and Grace were so keen to learn English so every break was an English lesson with a needle and thread thrown in. My Swahili vocabulary was starting to increase day by day with essential words like thread, needle, scissors etc.

Some of the group were very young, so a distinction had to be made between those making products to eventually sell and those who were too young but still wanted to learn. They have so much talent and potential that just cannot be ignored.

We decided on four product ideas to continue with once I returned home; scrunchies, covered buttons, cushion covers and serviettes, all made out of khanga material. To get Grace and the ladies up and running, Melissa and I ventured into Arusha during my final week to stock up on khangas and purchase more set squares and thread. The fabric has to be soaked in salt and rinsed several times before being used so I was busy getting some of these large pieces ready before leaving. They also needed ironing. Some things are so easily taken for granted that just were not available - running water and electricity. With no running water on site, the fabrics need to be prepared elsewhere for the time being. Coal irons are an option...

I felt very emotional during the final week knowing that I was going to be leaving these women. We had a lot of fun together and I certainly learnt a lot from my experience at Heshima. These women have never been exposed to the creative sources I have always taken for granted, yet they are imaginative, innovative and rich in a beautiful culture centred on the importance of community and surviving together as a strong unit.

I’m now back at Harrods, organising a 2-3 month sabbatical later in the year. I cannot wait to see how Grace and her team are progressing... Naomi Crocker naomi3c@hotmail.com

For more information on Heshima Project, see www.heshima.org.uk/heshima-tanzania.htm

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Egg-energy wins Innovation Tournament Knowledge@Wharton's 2011 Innovation Tournament to ‘find a novel match between a solution and a need' is sponsored by K@W and global IT services company Wipro Technologies. Innovators from around the world compete for a total of $40,000 in cash prizes and this year attracted more than 160 submissions from six continents. The GRAND PRIZE went to EGG-energy, for their battery-swapping service in Tanzania. In Tanzania, 90% of the population has no electricity even though 80% live within three miles of the grid. High connection fees and lack of infrastructure makes access difficult. So to power lights and charge small devices like cell phones, most low-income households in Tanzania rely on kerosene, AA batteries or even car batteries -- methods that can be expensive, dangerous and bad for the environment. The solution: EGG-energy solves Tanzania's electricity shortage by offering clean, rechargeable batteries that households can rent for an annual subscription fee. The 12-volt batteries, about the size of a brick, are enough to power the typical Tanzanian household for about a week. EGG, which stands for Engineering Global Growth, customizes the electrical system for each household so the batteries can easily be plugged in and removed without hazard. "We install our customers' home electrical system, we charge the batteries, we swap batteries and we distribute batteries to swapping stations for more distant customers," said Rhonda Jordan, the company's U.S. representative. The company also offers complementary appliances such as LED light bulbs, cell phone chargers and radio adapters. Over time, customers save up to 53% in energy costs. So far, the small for-profit company has brought electricity to 2,000 people with a single charging station and eight employees. The goal by 2015: 9,000 customers and $7.2 million in revenues, with sights set on other African markets.

TEAM: resources for schools TEAM, The European-Atlantic Movement is an independent educational foundation which promotes understanding of world affairs and international cooperation. TEAM arranges conferences for sixth formers at UK schools and universities; organises study tours for school and university teachers; sources expert speakers for schools and colleges and presents seminars on international affairs for teachers. See: www.european-atlantic.org.uk/ If you work in a school, college and university department and would like to arrange a conference for sixth form students on a topic of international or national affairs, please contact TEAM. They will draw up a programme in consultation with you on a day which suits you. No charge is made for a conference either by TEAM or by the speakers. They simply ask the institution to join TEAM at an annual cost of £75. Speakers are drawn from universities, think tanks, NGOs, embassies, campaigning organisations and the media. They give their time without charge because they support the aims of TEAM and are committed to widening the understanding and knowledge of sixth form students of international and national affairs. These conferences are suitable for any sixth form students but may be designed with a target audience of those who are studying economics, history, law, geography or politics. TEAM also invite teachers to participate in annual study tours to institutions of international co-operation in Europe. Study tours to the USA focus on deepening an understanding of the workings of the US Constitution and Government. __________________________________________________

CCR is active in the field of children’s rights in Tanzania. They have

recently conducted an online survey (in Kiswahili and English) of those who work with children in Tanzania. They hope its findings will highlight gaps in child rights work and inform the development of new initiatives. Find out more about CCR’s important work at: www.ccr-tz.org/

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BTS Tanzania Chapter. Ron and Liz Fennell made their annual tour of Tanzania in June and July, visiting ten existing TDT-funded projects and a further 15 new or potential schemes. They also had extensive discussions with members of the BTS(Tz) Executive Committee at both ends of their visit. “The Tanzania Chapter has certainly been very active in recent months. Danny Mwasandube’s wise counsel, and the energetic input of Antony Shaw, the new Secretary, have strengthened the work of BTS. New contacts have been developed with the British business community, and British High Commissioner Diane Corner has given strong support. They have produced a new membership flyer, have increased their number of young members, and are setting up a website. The Chapter is keen to support the work of BTS(UK) and TDT and we believe they have much to offer the Society.”

Chuwa Eliapenda Roy Galbraith sends news of Chuwa. “After a stroke four years ago Eliapenda has made a good recovery. A programme of massage at a Korean run clinic coupled with exercise and careful diet leading to weight loss has been extremely beneficial. He has been able to resume his work as a Business Consultant.”

HE Mrs Mwanaidi Maajar During their visit, Ron and Liz Fennell were invited to dinner with Mwanaidi and her family on her last day before she returned to the USA. The Majaars have set up a new charity, recently opened by Mama Kikwete, the President’s wife. This has the ambitious aim of raising sufficient money to buy enough desks and benches and seats for all schoolchildren in Tanzania. The charity is in memory of Mwanaidi’s son Hassan who was killed in an accident while a school boy.

What’s in your luggage? Through Petronella and Danny Mwasansube’s good offices, Liz and Ron Fennell were also able to meet the principal and staff at Muhimbili Nursing School in Dar es Salaam. They were able to present them with forty fob watches and

twenty stethoscopes for the school – items requested by the matron– which their two granddaughters had raised funds for back home in the USA. “To think that there were none in the principal nurses training establishment School is a very sobering thought,” says Liz. For three weeks of their trip, the Fennells senior were accompanied by their daughter Susan and her teenage daughters Danielle and Nicola. An eye-opener for them, no doubt. Footballs for schools. As well as these items, our intrepid travellers took about a dozen footballs plus pumps and needles, which proved very popular. Liz writes, “It has become hard to think of new gifts to give to the schools etc. This time we took footballs. One headmaster was thrilled. Now his boys could join the local league (a team playing with homemade balls could not have joined the league). Another head teacher told us that when the school had proper football and a team, it encouraged boys to join the school thus encouraging higher attendance. Others going to TZ may wish to copy this. What about asking Emirates Airline (which serves Tanzania and built the Arsenal Stadium) if they would finance a couple of containers of footballs?”

FIHRM Slavery Conference This year’s Federation of International Human Rights Museums FREE conference runs from 10 -13 October 2011 at the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool. The theme is: Fighting for Social Change through human rights activism.” Contributors include Lucina Shayo, Education Officer at Dar es Salaam’s National Museum and House of Culture. Lucina has done pioneering work over many years to open up museums to disabled and disadvantaged children and help dispel some of the myths and stigmas associated, in particular, with albinism. Her paper will be titled Museums and Civil Rights. This will be Lucina’s third working visit to the UK; following the conference she will travel to Norfolk where she will be presenting storytelling workshops in schools and museums. To register for the conference Tel: (0)151 478 4559 or online at: http://fihrm.eventbrite.com.

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BTS Who’s BTS Who’s BTS Who’s BTS Who’s Who & Who & Who & Who & ContactsContactsContactsContacts

President: HE Ali Hassan Mwinyi, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania top photo left Vice Presidents: Sir Andy Chande, Derek Ingram, Esther Mwaikambo, Liz Fennell, Trevor Jaggar Wiliam Fulton (Chair) top photo, right 01513 367393 fultonw@gmail.com David Brewin (Editor, Tanzanian Affairs) 020 7727 1755 davidbrewin@btinternet.com Valerie Leach (Meetings & Minutes Secretary) 02083 405344 valerie.leach@gmail.com Ann Brumfit (Membership Sec) 24 Oakfield Drive, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 9NR. 01737 210532 annbrumfit@yahoo.co.uk Jill Bowden (BTS Acting Treasurer) 020 8886 8141 17 The Green, London N14 7EH

jillbowde@btinternet.com Julian Marcus (Chair, TDT) 02086 685230 TDT1@O2.co.uk Robert Gibson (TDT Treasurer) robert@dovedaledesign.co.uk Tim Watkins-Idle (Web Editor) timwatkinsidle@gmail.com Richard Barton-Wood (Newsletter Editor) abbeygarth@hotmail.com BTS Tanzania Chapter contacts: Hon. Paul Rupia (Chair) +255 713 605151

amb.rupia@gmail.com Cuthbert Kimambo (Vice Chair) kimambo@ipi.udsm.ac.tz Antony Shaw (Hon. Sec.) +255 684 355867 PO Box 105742, DSM antony@creocomm.net BTS Scottish Group contacts: Ann Burgess annpatriciaburgess@yahoo.co.uk Ralph Ibbott 01875 818658

KARIBUNIKARIBUNIKARIBUNIKARIBUNI We welcome the following new members

who have joined since our last issue. Thanks to those of you who told us how you

became involved with BTS & Tanzania

Mr Innes Meek, London Dr George Smerdon, St Ives, Cambs Ms Patricia Cripps, Coventry, W Midlands Ms Julia Bengough, Leominster, Herefordshire Mr Dan (Paul) Cook, London Mr Siya Rimoy, London Mr Clive Pinder and Ms Karrin Nicol, Newham, Hants Miss Daphne Surfling, Thorpeness, Leiston, Suffolk Dr Michael Charney and Dr A Naono, Cambridge Mr Mark Gillies, Cheshunt, Herts Biological research assistant in 1988; then two visits to run Frontier Tz, exploring much of the country. Now run African Space, a travel company and am a trustee of A S Trust, which is supporting the construction of a medical centre in Itete (Morogoro). Mr Robert and Mrs Lynne Gibson, Great Missenden, Bucks Mr John Clark, Windsor, Berks Mr David and Mrs Janet Townend, Morogoro Mr Matthew McIlvenna, Stroud, Glos Miss Amy Baigent, Sheffield, Yorks Mr Shabbir and Mrs Rehana Mohamedali, Peacehaven, E Sussex Miss Olga Gormalova, London Mr Brian and Mrs Susan Wind, Carlisle, Cumbria Volunteer support in Kilimanjaro since 1996 (BESO, VSO,Skillshare International, and now on executive of Brampton Tanzania Trust). 3-5 weeks annually in Tanzania paying own expenses; interested in development issues and liaison with similar groups. Mr Elias Mashasi, Bukoba, Kagera Region Mr Robert Campbell-Preston, Argyll, Scotland Drs Douglas and Susan Wilson, St Andrew’s Guernsey Mr Antony Shaw, Dar es Salaam Ms Elizabeth Prior, London Mr Thomas Usborne, London Mrs Lyn Clarke, Cheltenham, Glos.

New email? If you have a new (or changed) email address, please be sure to let Ann Brumfit (see left) have it. This will ensure that you continue to receive BTS mailings.

Next Newsletter deadline: 1 December 2011 Send to Richard Barton-Wood, 15 Church Street, Wymondham, Norfolk NR18 0PH. Tel: 01953 600800 Email preferred! abbeygarth@hotmail.com.

Photo (left) posted on Twitter by Alen Wekesa from Dar es Salaam