As most of you will already know, I have been sponsoring a little Tanzanian Girl since 2011. Editha Pascal Mbada is now 6 years old and is boarding at Moshi Airport School in Moshi, Tanzania.
I have no doubt much of what I am about to share with you is typical of the joy and happiness children can bring you every day, but for me, not yet being a Mother, the past few weeks have given me more joy and pride than I can do justice with the written word - it is has however been one of the saddest and most confronting few weeks of my life ! Grab a cup of tea and settle in, I tend to waffle……..
Editha is from a typically poor, poverty stricken family in the Kilimahewa district, she has 6 older brothers and sisters and one younger brother Barraka (4) who was in my class at Kilimahewa Nursery this year. When I first met her 2 years ago, she was a tiny, hungry, shy, cute as a button girl who stood out from the class due to her intelligence and enthusiasm to learn. There was no way I could not sponsor her after learning he likely fate would be dropping out of school probably in primary school, as it was unlikely her parents could afford to send her.
Editha has now been in boarding school since Jan 2011, and has not only thrived academically, she has grown substantially and put on some much needed weight due to regular meals and her own bed to sleep in at night.
When I visited Editha last year at her nursery school she was still too young to really understand who I was and what I was doing visiting her, although she loved the Kangaroo and biscuits I had bought for her.
When I arrived in Moshi this year Mr Massawe warned me that there had been some problems with Editha’s father and that he had been drinking a lot. This is a common problem with men in the villages and at this time I though it was more a FYI than anything serious.
I went to visit Editha at school in the first week I had arrived. Usually family and parents can only visit every 3 months but exceptions are made for visiting ‘Mzungus’ to see their sponsor children. This first visit was brief and Editha was still very shy, not fully understanding who I was. I made arrangements to return to school the next week to meet Editha’s boarding Matron and have a tour through her boarding house. Mr Massawe’s wife Suzan came with me, taking advantage of the opportunity to see 2 of her daughters, Jubilant and Dolla, who are also boarding at the school.
This visit Editha definitely recognized me and was starting to relax more around me. Her English is still very limited, but we could have little conversations about school and her favourite subjects.
We met Sister Augustina, a wonderful lady who has looked after the boarding girls at the school for many, many years – she is almost famous around town ! Her biggest concern for Editha was that she did not have any of the basic requirements for school, her 1 pair of school shoes were too small and falling apart and she needed a new set of sheets – among many other things. I asked her to make me a list of all the things Editha needed for school and I would take care of it.
Also during this visit I took Editha some small gifts from home, some basic clothing and books, and my niece Ella had sent over a present for ‘her friend Editha” – when it came to Ella’s gift which was the only one wrapped, Editha had no idea what to do with it – she just stood there looking at the wrapping paper. This was obviously the first present this little girl had ever received. When we finally got it open the blue bunny was defiantely a huge hit !!!! I showed Editha a photo of Ella and Sister helped to explain who she was and that she was the same age as her living in Australia – she was amazed with Ellas curly blonde hair !!!
I took the opportunity to organise with Sister to take the 3 girls out of school the following weekend for lunch, and she very kindly agreed.
A trip into town for Pizza soon became the biggest event on everyones calendar !!! On Saturday I arrived to pick up Mr Massawe and Suzan and Talent, his 3 year old daughter, all dressed up in their Sunday best and the girls at school were all ready in their going out school uniforms. Not only was Pizza a first for everyone, even the concept of choosing from a menu and wait for it….. the flushing toilet…. Were the highlights of the day !!!! The look of all the kids faces as they tasted pizza for the first time was enough to bring tears to your eyes, then watching the excitement as the toilet flushed made you cry with laughter.
During lunch I gave Editha a small passport photo of Ella, writing on the back “Hi Editha love from Your Friend Ella from Australia”, she held onto it with pride all lunch then put it in her top pocket for safe keeping – the next week when I went to pick her up from school she ran inside to get her photo which is obviously very loved as it is all scrunched up looking like it permanently lives in the palm of her cute little hand !
That afternoon we also went shopping to buy Editha all the things she needed for school. While she waited in the car Suzan and I ran around buying everything from 3 pairs new shoes, underwear, tracksuits, sleep wear, to toothpaste and soap. The look of sheer delight on her little face each time we came back to the car with something else, I honestly don’t think she could believe all this stuff was for her ! She just kept saying Asante, Asante, Asante – which is Thank you in Swahili and smiling like a cheshire cat. Suzan just kept telling me it was a good day a very good day J
I was pleasantly surprised on Friday morning when Mr Massawe said we could go a pick up the girls from school to take them home for holidays. I was not expecting this at all and it turned out to be one of the most amazing days of my life.
We got to school at 11am – very early as I think Mr Massawe was excited to see his girls ! We walked through the gate to 1000 kids, all dressed in the same uniform hanging around the gates. I was looking around for Editha but trying to find one child in a sea of blue and white was almost impossible…. next thing I know this little girls comes running, almost pushing people out of the way and grabs my legs hugging me yelling something in Swahili which I could not understand. It was one of the most amazing feelings I have ever experienced, not only did she recognize me it was the sudden realization for her that I was there for her, to look after her and take care of her. There were huge smiles, hugs and you could feel the overwhelming sense of pride as she paraded me around school – her Mzungu Mama.
All the children were called to assembly in the garden, and we watched proudly as end of term awards were handed out– Editha sitting quietly on the grass would look over often and give me a little smile and a wave to make sure I was still there. Following assembly we went to her classroom to collect her workbooks from the term. As we were waiting our turn, to all of our surprise Edithas Mother arrived. I honestly don’t think Editha could believe it and let out a huge scream of excitement running to hug her Mama. This was the first time I had met he mother as she was away last time I visited and whilst the language barrier was huge she was a delightful lady who clearly loved her little girl very much.
My “High” of the day pretty quickly dissolved as I also found out during this time that not only had Editha’s father been drinking he was also beating his wife when intoxicated ! All of a sudden I felt this overwhelming need to protect these amazing and beautiful women and children and the thought of taking Editha home became a sickening thought rather than an exciting one ! School really is a safe haven for some of these kids, not only for regular meals but protecting them from violence and neglect that can occur at home. Mr Massawe assures me that Edithas father has not been drinking recently and there is no doubt her mother loves and cares for her very much but it was still very difficult to drop her off at home, also knowing I wont see her for another year !
I pretty much decided there and then that I have to come back next year, if nothing to ensure this amazing little girl knows that I am and will always be there for her.
So, it looks like I am heading back to Tanzania again in 2013. We also have big and exciting plans for Kilimahewa Nursery School which I will share in my next blog update.
All our hard work at the school is really paying off and we are being asked to speak to other volunteers and members of the community about how to effectively set up sustainability projects which is very exciting.
Till next time, enjoy the photos of my amazing little girl xxxx
I have no doubt much of what I am about to share with you is typical of the joy and happiness children can bring you every day, but for me, not yet being a Mother, the past few weeks have given me more joy and pride than I can do justice with the written word - it is has however been one of the saddest and most confronting few weeks of my life ! Grab a cup of tea and settle in, I tend to waffle……..
Editha is from a typically poor, poverty stricken family in the Kilimahewa district, she has 6 older brothers and sisters and one younger brother Barraka (4) who was in my class at Kilimahewa Nursery this year. When I first met her 2 years ago, she was a tiny, hungry, shy, cute as a button girl who stood out from the class due to her intelligence and enthusiasm to learn. There was no way I could not sponsor her after learning he likely fate would be dropping out of school probably in primary school, as it was unlikely her parents could afford to send her.
Editha has now been in boarding school since Jan 2011, and has not only thrived academically, she has grown substantially and put on some much needed weight due to regular meals and her own bed to sleep in at night.
When I visited Editha last year at her nursery school she was still too young to really understand who I was and what I was doing visiting her, although she loved the Kangaroo and biscuits I had bought for her.
When I arrived in Moshi this year Mr Massawe warned me that there had been some problems with Editha’s father and that he had been drinking a lot. This is a common problem with men in the villages and at this time I though it was more a FYI than anything serious.
I went to visit Editha at school in the first week I had arrived. Usually family and parents can only visit every 3 months but exceptions are made for visiting ‘Mzungus’ to see their sponsor children. This first visit was brief and Editha was still very shy, not fully understanding who I was. I made arrangements to return to school the next week to meet Editha’s boarding Matron and have a tour through her boarding house. Mr Massawe’s wife Suzan came with me, taking advantage of the opportunity to see 2 of her daughters, Jubilant and Dolla, who are also boarding at the school.
This visit Editha definitely recognized me and was starting to relax more around me. Her English is still very limited, but we could have little conversations about school and her favourite subjects.
We met Sister Augustina, a wonderful lady who has looked after the boarding girls at the school for many, many years – she is almost famous around town ! Her biggest concern for Editha was that she did not have any of the basic requirements for school, her 1 pair of school shoes were too small and falling apart and she needed a new set of sheets – among many other things. I asked her to make me a list of all the things Editha needed for school and I would take care of it.
Also during this visit I took Editha some small gifts from home, some basic clothing and books, and my niece Ella had sent over a present for ‘her friend Editha” – when it came to Ella’s gift which was the only one wrapped, Editha had no idea what to do with it – she just stood there looking at the wrapping paper. This was obviously the first present this little girl had ever received. When we finally got it open the blue bunny was defiantely a huge hit !!!! I showed Editha a photo of Ella and Sister helped to explain who she was and that she was the same age as her living in Australia – she was amazed with Ellas curly blonde hair !!!
I took the opportunity to organise with Sister to take the 3 girls out of school the following weekend for lunch, and she very kindly agreed.
A trip into town for Pizza soon became the biggest event on everyones calendar !!! On Saturday I arrived to pick up Mr Massawe and Suzan and Talent, his 3 year old daughter, all dressed up in their Sunday best and the girls at school were all ready in their going out school uniforms. Not only was Pizza a first for everyone, even the concept of choosing from a menu and wait for it….. the flushing toilet…. Were the highlights of the day !!!! The look of all the kids faces as they tasted pizza for the first time was enough to bring tears to your eyes, then watching the excitement as the toilet flushed made you cry with laughter.
During lunch I gave Editha a small passport photo of Ella, writing on the back “Hi Editha love from Your Friend Ella from Australia”, she held onto it with pride all lunch then put it in her top pocket for safe keeping – the next week when I went to pick her up from school she ran inside to get her photo which is obviously very loved as it is all scrunched up looking like it permanently lives in the palm of her cute little hand !
That afternoon we also went shopping to buy Editha all the things she needed for school. While she waited in the car Suzan and I ran around buying everything from 3 pairs new shoes, underwear, tracksuits, sleep wear, to toothpaste and soap. The look of sheer delight on her little face each time we came back to the car with something else, I honestly don’t think she could believe all this stuff was for her ! She just kept saying Asante, Asante, Asante – which is Thank you in Swahili and smiling like a cheshire cat. Suzan just kept telling me it was a good day a very good day J
I was pleasantly surprised on Friday morning when Mr Massawe said we could go a pick up the girls from school to take them home for holidays. I was not expecting this at all and it turned out to be one of the most amazing days of my life.
We got to school at 11am – very early as I think Mr Massawe was excited to see his girls ! We walked through the gate to 1000 kids, all dressed in the same uniform hanging around the gates. I was looking around for Editha but trying to find one child in a sea of blue and white was almost impossible…. next thing I know this little girls comes running, almost pushing people out of the way and grabs my legs hugging me yelling something in Swahili which I could not understand. It was one of the most amazing feelings I have ever experienced, not only did she recognize me it was the sudden realization for her that I was there for her, to look after her and take care of her. There were huge smiles, hugs and you could feel the overwhelming sense of pride as she paraded me around school – her Mzungu Mama.
All the children were called to assembly in the garden, and we watched proudly as end of term awards were handed out– Editha sitting quietly on the grass would look over often and give me a little smile and a wave to make sure I was still there. Following assembly we went to her classroom to collect her workbooks from the term. As we were waiting our turn, to all of our surprise Edithas Mother arrived. I honestly don’t think Editha could believe it and let out a huge scream of excitement running to hug her Mama. This was the first time I had met he mother as she was away last time I visited and whilst the language barrier was huge she was a delightful lady who clearly loved her little girl very much.
My “High” of the day pretty quickly dissolved as I also found out during this time that not only had Editha’s father been drinking he was also beating his wife when intoxicated ! All of a sudden I felt this overwhelming need to protect these amazing and beautiful women and children and the thought of taking Editha home became a sickening thought rather than an exciting one ! School really is a safe haven for some of these kids, not only for regular meals but protecting them from violence and neglect that can occur at home. Mr Massawe assures me that Edithas father has not been drinking recently and there is no doubt her mother loves and cares for her very much but it was still very difficult to drop her off at home, also knowing I wont see her for another year !
I pretty much decided there and then that I have to come back next year, if nothing to ensure this amazing little girl knows that I am and will always be there for her.
So, it looks like I am heading back to Tanzania again in 2013. We also have big and exciting plans for Kilimahewa Nursery School which I will share in my next blog update.
All our hard work at the school is really paying off and we are being asked to speak to other volunteers and members of the community about how to effectively set up sustainability projects which is very exciting.
Till next time, enjoy the photos of my amazing little girl xxxx
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My friend Ella from Australia
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