WTWT NEWSLETTER February 2019
Dear Loyal Supporters
I have just returned from another wonderful, moving visit to our projects in Tanzania. The enthusiasm of the women for their loans and their growth in confidence was a joy to see.
We travelled to the remote village of Kapenjiro, where they have not had loans before. As we rounded the hill after a long and difficult journey in the land rover on untarmacked tracks, we could see a large group of women dressed in their finest clothes. Then we heard them singing….
All the women with WTWT/WMI/KCT loans and businesses at the Ceremony of Thanks
They were singing of the benefits of their loans, being able to make savings, enabling them to send their children to school and have enough food.
These were our some of our latest VICOBA (Village Community Bank) loan groups following the generous funding from the Women’s Microfinance Initiative (WMI) in 2018. The community gave us food and a beautiful ceremony of thanks. They also requested support with building a dispensary, as there are no health facilities in the village.
Talking with individual women afterwards Nadhayia Tetu said “I tell my married daughters that they must join a VICOBA group in their village, and if they can’t find one they must start one, because it is the better life, you can afford to look after your children!”
The women dancing
Health Classes and FGM
Speaking with Mbario after the health class she told us that many more families in our area have renounced the ‘cutting’ of their daughters. They are proud to stand up as an example to others and pass on the information of why it is important to stop.
Murani (Young Maasai Warriors) at the Abandonment of FGC Ceremony, Loita
This week there has been amazing news from further north across the border in Loita, Kenya. Over 3000 Maasai gathered to mark a historic occasion: A public declaration to end female genital cutting (FGC). S.A.F.E. have worked at the grassroots for nearly a decade in Loita, south Kenya, and their work has resulted in this momentous, community-made decision to abandon this harmful practice. This decision has been made for the benefit of their daughters, the whole community, and for generations to come.
Banner of FGC Abandonment held by the Community
We are in touch and with SAFE and other Maasai communities working to abandon FGC. Working together we hope to have a similar ceremony of abandonment in Ngorongoro in the not-too-distant future.
Our next fundraising event is our annual:
BARN DANCE
Saturday 9th March 2019 7-11pm
Weston Turville Village Hall
Featuring our long time loyal band Myckryck
Ticket price £15.00
Including a Tasty Supper
Vegetarian and gluten free option, please let us know how many
Bar and Raffle to raise more funds for the cause
Tickets from Rachel Blackmore: text 07792 475 094 or reply to this email: racheljblackmore@gmail.com
Do come and join us. All welcome!
We are hugely grateful for all your financial support and your encouragement of our work. Without you we could not do any of this.
As always, our flights and administration are paid by ourselves, so all of your donations go directly to the community projects.
With much love and thanks
Rachel and WTWT trustees here in the UK and staff in Tanzania:
Rachel, David and Daniel Blackmore, Tim Shewbridge, Ruth Cornish, Suchita Raja, Viv Pangalos and Helen Williams in the UK
Ponja Tayai, Embapa Oloishiro, Mbario Lemomo, Peesoi Runguna and Esupat Oloulu in Tanzania.
If any more of you would like to make a donation or set up a standing order, we would be extremely grateful, as would the people in Ngorongoro.
Our bank account is: ‘Weston Turville Wells for Tanzania’ at Lloyds TSB, account number: 00087400, sort code 30-90-38. Cheques can be made payable to ‘WTWT’ and posted to our address.
Rachel Blackmore
Weston Turville Wells for Tanzania (WTWT)
Registered UK charity No: 1125141
Registered office: Old Crown, West End, Weston Turville, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP22 5TT
Email: racheljblackmore@gmail.com
Phone: +447792 475094
www.wellsfortanzania.org
Weston Turville Wells for Tanzania (WTWT)