TANZANIA - Friday and Saturday, July 12-13

The first order of business on our last day at the site was an official ground-breaking ceremony for the new orphanage. Members of the community came in support of the project, and the local newspaper sent a reporter out to record the event. 

 

Orphan's Heart is partnering with Shannin Pickle and "Small Steps for Compassion" in this project.  Shannin could not be in attendance, but she sent her daughter, Corrinne, to represent "Small Steps."  The ceremony was special for everyone in attendance, especially the members of the community who are thrilled to know that orphaned children in their area are going to have plenty of love and a safe home to live in.

RON, CORRINNE AND ANNIE

 

READY FOR THE "RIBBON" CUTTING

 

 
WORDS OF WELCOME BY RON

JUMA, OUR AMAZING IN-COUNTRY PARTNER

 

ALL THE WORKERS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TURN A SHOVEL OF GROUND

REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE COMMUNITY TURN A SHOVEL

 

 

Our team brought over 100 pairs of reading glasses (requested by our on-site partners), which had been donated by Pastor Bill's local pharmacy.  Several members of the community were fitted for glasses after the ceremony and at other times during the week.  They were given a Swahili Bible to read so that we could see whether or not there was a need for glasses.  How exciting it was to see them at first struggle to see/read the Bible, or like many of us get the Bible far enough away from their face to read, and then read with complete ease after getting their glasses!

 

 

Here are a few pictures from our final day of Bible School with the nearly 150 children...

JESUS' DEATH

AND RESURRECTION

CLINTON (who wants to be President one day) and BILL GATES,

two of the wonderful students who joined us each day

 

 

On our way home after Bible School, some of our team members visited and toured another local orphanage, delivered a few supplies, and greeted the Director and the children.  With 50 orphaned children ages 3-16 who have lost their parents to AIDS or Tuberculosis, and 7 staff members, there are so many needs!  Orphan's Heart hopes to be able to return very soon and bring a team to work at this orphanage and bring hope to these precious children! 

 

 

On Saturday before heading to the airport, the team made the 2-hour drive to Mt. Kilimanjaro to do some hiking.  What a beautiful, peaceful place!  It was a good final excursion before leaving the beautiful country of Tanzania!

 

 

Thankful to God for the wonderful team He sent to Tanzania!