Tanzania Mission Trip November 2011

“Karibu!” (Welcome)

November 1st several board members from FFHC along with volunteers traveled to Tanzania for a two and a half week trip with the primary mission of spending time with the families served by FFHC and Tanzanian volunteers. It was a very rewarding trip. For those returning to Africa, it was a time or reuniting and strengthening relationships with African brothers and sisters. For those new to Tanzania, it was an eye opening experience that will not be quickly forgotten.

The team was able to meet the village leaders in their offices and churches and hear their gratitude for the improvements the program was making in their communities. They also met many of the recipient families and were invited into their homes made of mud and sticks, to hear their stories and get a glimpse of what their life is like.

Most of the time was spent in the villages learning and listening. They were shown how to do skills that the people were good at including how to braid rope from a dried plant, make bricks out of clay and grind flour on rocks. They watched women carry buckets full of water on their heads and

went to the muddy stream where they got it from. We met the widows, elderly and orphans that are the least in their communities and marveled at their strength and courage.

"Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime."

The team asked a lot of questions of the villagers about their experience before the program came to their community and what changes they had seen. The people almost always skimmed over how things were before, as if they didn’t want to remember, and instead poured out their gratitude for how things are better now. The goat milk, which is rich in vitamins, helps their children to regain strength and be able to concentrate in school. Having milk available also means that they no longer have to beg from their neighbors to be able to provide for their families. Unlike the local goats, the special breed given by FFHC, which are meant to be raised in sheds, means that families no longer have to walk long distances to graze the animals saving them time to do other things. Once they are taught how to take care of their goat they immediately see the potential and are eager to learn and tell others. When the team visited new villages for potential expansion the leaders were also eager to learn and excited at the possibilities. They weren’t looking for handouts, they were looking for a way to be able to take care of themselves.

“Don’t forget me!”

Each day was filled with faces and stories and adventures. Children were everywhere. There children selling trinkets at the market to tourists to make a little money for their family. As they were walking away they would say, “Don’t forget me.” Driving through the villages on dirt paths the children, thrilled by the sight of vehicles, would run out with big smiles waving at us as we passed by. The team also witnessed many young children out in the fields and along the roads shepherding animals. Most of these children were of school age but their family's couldn't afford it.

Aside from the many meetings and home visits the team had adventures mixed in. They saw giraffes munching on leaves on the side of the road. They also visited a Massai village were the people danced and sang and then invited the team to join in! On another day the team visited the Hatsabi tribe of Bushmen and where they witnessed the men starting a fire by rubbing sticks and were taught to shoot their home-made bows and arrows. Driving through the Ngorogoro Crater, gazelles, water buffalo, hippos, zebras, elephants, baboons, and a lion were seen in their native environment.

"Asante Sana" (Thank you very much)

Tanzania is a beautiful place with a rich history and courageous people. The families, volunteers, and village leaders wanted to make sure that when the team returned to the states that they pass along their gratitude to the donors for their generosity and for investing in their lives.
The team would like to thank their many supporters for making this trip possible. Warm thanks also to the guides from Kibo Safari for safe travels through the country and for providing translation. Thank you also to the many Tanzanian volunteers for your hospitality and hard work. Thanks to God also for the many individuals from other organizations in the region who FFHC leadership was able to meet with for possible partnership in the future.