Zuhura is off to Law School!!

Zuhura has never met another Little Person, but thanks to the wonders of the internet and the Little People of America newsletter, there’s an LP family in the United States who care very much about her.  Sandy and Dwayne have sponsored Zuhura for several years and next month, with their help, she will start a Bachelor’s Degree Law program. Zuhura did so well in her Form 6 exams and was selected to study Law at a government university called Mzumbe. Hongera (congratulations) Zuhura and Thank you so much to Sandy and Dwayne for making it happen!

Husna Goes Back to School

Husna had to drop out of high school four months ago because her father couldn’t pay the $45 balance for this year’s fees. Last year Husna was the third in her class of 90 and 9th in her entire 7th grade class of 270 students. She was selected to study at a special government school for bright students but a lot of bright kids are poor and there are not enough scholarships for all. Her siblings are also exceptionally bright and her father, a fisherman gets help paying their fees, but he could only manage to pay half of Husna’s fees. Today volunteer Gunnhild of Norway took Husna back to school and paid the debt with money that she and Sigbjorn, also of Norway, raised before they arrived. In the morning Husna will be back in school. Thank you Gunnhild and Sigbjorn!

A Gift from Japan

For many children around the world a playground is a common part of childhood. There is one at school, one at a park nearby and maybe even one at home. Most people don’t remember the first time they sat on a swing. Until recently in Bagamoyo there were two playgrounds, both at expensive hotels that are off limits to all but a minority of children. Thanks to Masumi Ichihara and JICA, there are now three. And, though it’s located a few miles from town, all children are welcome.

Masumi was a JICA volunteer who speaks excellent Kiswahili and worked tirelessly in the Bagamoyo Social Welfare Department for two years. As her work term was winding down, she met Baobab volunteer Katie Balk and devised a plan for a playground at Baobab. Together they kept the project running on time and only $10 over budget, both of which are amazing feats here.

On September 11 The Baobab Home held a grand opening party for the playground with food, music and many guests. The children from the Baobab orphanage were all there as well as our neighbor kids, many of whom had never even seen a playground before.  It was clear from the beginning that playgrounds are not only fun, but become teaching tools as well.  The older kids often took the lead and helped the younger ones down the slide, or took turns pushing each other on the swings.  In the end, both the kids and the adults had an amazing time and it’s a day that will not be soon forgotten!  Thankfully it was just the first of many and we look forward to welcoming all of Bagamoyo’s children to enjoy the new playground!

To Hokkaido, JICA, EX-JOCV CHIBA ASSOCIATION and Masumi Ichihara we say  “ Arigatou gozaimasu” and “Asanteni sana” from the Baobab Home, and all the children who will have years of fun and exercise on the new playground equipment.