Aug01

Email received from Beth and Kim today Thursday 2nd of August 13:24hours

(only slightly edited)

We are safely back in Mwanza ready to fly to Arusha tomorrow to join our safari on Sunday. It was a real
honour to spend time on The Bethany Project. When we first arrived we both feeling a bit daunted about the
language barrier and whether or not we would form any bonds with the kids. After a day or so we had relaxed
into the slow pace of life where although you feel as though you're doing nothing, you're busy from dawn to
dusk. A typical day started at 7.30 with a song in Swahili and a prayer. The we undertook tasks like sewing
mosquito nets, clearing out cockroach, lizard, spider and mice infested rooms and removing furniture. We then
spent some time relaxing with the pre-school children. From 12-2.00 was HUNGER time and we awaited our
lunch of beans, rice and stones! The children returned from school at around 2.00 and between 2 and 4.00 we
engaged the children in craft activities. This was followed by education where we taught the older children
Maths and English. The children were a joy to teach as the eagerly devoured academic knowledge!- a marked
contrast to the apathy and disaffection you find in England. At around 6pm was the evening meal of ugali (a
taste to behold) and cabbage (if we were lucky!). We have just enjoyed a pizza and chips which we have been
lusting over for the past week. After our evening meal at Bethany we played skipping, football and swing
pushing before retiring to the pumzika room for singing and prayers with excited young people. Then to bed at
around 9pm. Words can not express how wonderful the children were. Each child had a horrific story to tell
and yet they were wonderful, rounded, joyful and beautiful children. We both feel really blessed by God for
giving us this opportunity to play a part in these kids lives. Our lives have been permanently enriched as a result
of our time at Bethany. Highlights included a trip to the local school, relaxing on the shores of Lake Victoria
where the wildlife was amazing and the atmosphere was mellow. Yesterday, whilst strolling along the bank,
there was a hairy moment where our dog Bertha chased a local child, this was followed by angry shouts from a
gang of local kids and our pace quickened as we were fearful as the fisherman started to put down their nets.....

Please pray that we have not picked up any tropical ailments. We hope you are well and happy and having a
pleasing summer. You are in our thoughts and our prayers.

Take care,

Love Beth & Kim.

Fax received from Tanzania today Friday 3rd August 200110:52 hours

Some quotes from the fax:

"Faith Sharon and Hilary are all well and working hard. It is very busy, with much happening!!

Fares and Sharon collected the new children from Mwanza, when they got here there were 3
children - 2 girls - Siya Malale (aged 10years) and Mwasi Malale (aged 6years) and 1 boy Ngeme
Malale (aged 3 but looks about 18months old) ( the people at the social said they had forgotten
about the little boy!). There is still a baby in the hospital, we are not sure of what plans are made
for his future. The little boy is very malnourished and weak, with infected scabies on his hands. All
3 children are receiving lots of love and care, and are settling in well.

The children are well, recovering from mumps and malaria" end quotes

So now we have a total of 28 children at Bethany with many more to come. All that's needed are the people to
come and share in the work!

Fax received from Tanzania today Saturday 11th August 2001 12:06hours

Jamari who had run away has now returned to the family - Fares says "he was so
positive to talk to us - he was just smiling to us."

Fares was in Mwanza on Thursday the 9th dropping off Hilary, Sharon and Faith at the
airport. He then went to do some shopping in Mwanza and when he had finished and
ready to return to Bethany he found the Landrover stuck in reverse gear. With the
help of a local garage he managed to get it fixed. Otherwise everything is ok at
Bethany.

Other news:

Hilary, Sharon and Faith are now safely back in the UK recovering from their long
journey and their 3 week visit. We hope to report more news later in the week.

News Sunday 26th August 2001

Yesterday, Saturday 25th August we held our bi-monthly Prayer and Information day. As well as the team
we welcomed Faith Turner and Tracey Pearson. Both were talking about the possibility of returning for a
longer term. We were also joined by Tim Broughton who along with Nicky Etherington are starting a
similar work in Kisumu. Kenya. They are already planning to buy land in Kisumu to start a work for street
children. They have plans for a church and are working with James Okech and his wife Sabina (Kenyans).
Tim was accompanied on his visit by Adrian. We will provide a link to their website when it is available.

New Children at Bethany: Faith, Sharon and Hilary told us about their trip and about the 3 new
children. Their pictures appear below. They are settling in well but Ngeme who they were told is 3 years
old seems to be younger and is very poorly suffering from malnutrition. His sisters Mwasi - 6yrs and Siya
- 10yrs are both both settling in well. This now brings the total to 28 children at Bethany with many more
to come.

No news from Tanzania since our last fax received the 11th August. We hope all is well.

Next trip: September 23rd for Gillian Luck, Maria DeFreitas and Graham.