Hitting the Ground Running in Tanzania

Hello Everyone-
 
I arrived in Tanzania on Sunday night and have been racing against the clock ever since. What is my deadline? We have 16 intrepid Pamoja Project adventurers arriving on Tuesday, March 2nd.

The staff and I have been working feverishly on a full schedule of activities that will include a visit to the construction site of the new clinic, volunteer projects ranging from painting a classroom to teaching English at Ambureni Primary School, as well as hosting a party for 100 or more orphans and their caretakers on Saturday.

Before departure, Catherine Monserrat and Nancy Kreger, board members, painted colorful learning enhancements to be hung in the kindergarten classroom we will be rehabbing.

It's been heartening watching staff quickly take responsibility for each of their parts in making this visit remarkable. Olais is setting up 4 days of home visits, Mary is coordinating food, tents, and chairs for the party, Shukuru is planning to have the volunteers experience what it is like to have to treat drinking water every day, and Emmanuel, the Program Coordinator, keeps saying "this is just wonderful".

Clinic foundation being built. Men AND women are construction workers.

This experience confirms what I already know: We have the best staff in all Tanzania. Committed, cheerful, generous. And we have board members who are not only committed, but talented and creative beyond my wildest dreams. I can't ask for anything more- although I would have preferred to have had a few more days to prepare for the volunteers!

Carol

Guess What I Did Last Month?

I sent your donations, plus a bit more from Pamoja Project, to begin building the Ambureni Village Clinic! The project will cost $25,000 and will afford the residents of Ambureni access to local free healthcare for years to come.
 
Here is the hand-drawn plan I received from a regional government engineer:

This is how the cinder blocks used to build walls are dried in the sun, then transported to the building site.

I will be visiting the area later this month and can't wait to share the progress with all of you who have supported Ambureni's dream. Watch for updates at the end of February.
 
And thank you again for making this possible-

Carol (...and friend)

Five, Four, Three, Two, One......

You only have five more days to make your tax-deductible contribution to Pamoja Project before year end.

Become part of the group of  awesome donors who are making the Ambureni Village Clinic a reality. We'll keep you informed on the progress every step of the way.

-HIV+ kids need to have easy access to care
-Expectant moms need to deliver close to home
- and everyone deserves good local healthcare.
 
Please visit:
 https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/pamojaproject?code=PamojaRocks2015%21   today
 
 or send your check to:
Pamoja Project
P.O. Box 24307
Santa Fe, NM 87502

We are so grateful to have you as our friends and partners.
 
         Carol

World AIDS Day

Today, December 1st, is World AIDS Day.  It is a day when we remember those we have lost to this deadly disease, and a day when we renew our commitment to those living with, or at risk for, HIV/AIDS.

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FACTS ABOUT HIV/AIDS IN TANZANIA (2014) 

-NEARLY 2 MILLION PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS

- LAST YEAR MORE THAN 80,000 PEOPLE DIED OF AIDS              

- 1.5 MILLION AIDS ORPHANS UNDER 17 YEARS OLD

 and yet...
 
-FEWER THAN HALF OF INFECTED CHILDREN RECEIVED ANTI-RETROVIRAL DRUGS LAST YEAR
 
-NEARLY 25,000 NEWBORNS BORN IN 2014 WERE FOUND TO BE HIV+ BECAUSE OF LACK OF PRENATAL SCREENING OF MOTHERS
 
There is much to do in Tanzania, and throughout the world, if we are to reach the United Nations goal of an end to the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2020. 

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We hope you will help us help Tanzanians in the fight
of their lives. Please make a donation today.
 
Pamoja Project P.O. Box 24307 Santa Fe, NM 87502  
 
www.pamojaproject.org