Post from 5/25/17

Jessica Jambo family and friends,
We spent our first full day in Tanzania visiting East Meru Community School. The school is set far back from the main road, so we all enjoyed an "African massage" over the bumpy terrain. Just short of the school, our bus managed to get stuck in a mud pit. Prepared with our rain boots, strength and determination we pushed the bus out with one heave-ho, and made the rest of our trek on foot to the school. The school is an English Medium Primary School located in a rural village in Tanzania. The school was started by Ian and Mary and now has 170 children from local villages. The school is supported by sponsors that pay for the children to go to school, which includes school supplies, lunch and two school uniforms. While at the school we provided medical care to some of the students added over 200 children books to the school library. Jessica and Beth were able to see some of the students for medical care, while the rest of the group made a home visit to a teacher's brother. He was in a motorcycle accident a month ago and still suffered from pain. We completed an assessment and provided him with pain medication. His fractured wrist was never splinted so, Rob discussed a plan to fit him one with help from the local shoe cobbler. The shoe cobbler is a testament of determination. He is now a paraplegic following a mining accident. Despite his disability he is able to make a living through a sponsorship and training as a shoe cobbler. He works at the school making shoes for the students, as well as sandals and belts to be sold to the locals. Everything is made by hand and is truly a work of art! We spent the rest of our time with the children singing songs and reading books. They continue to use the water purification systems from previous trips and the school is starting a garden to provide vegetables for the children. The children are happy and full of energy and we gave lots of hugs and high-fives. Before leaving we were able to stop at a dispensary. It is a small clinic that has a medical doctor and nurse to serve the local villages. We were able to provide several bags of medication to stock the depleted pharmacy and provide new stethoscopes to the physician and nurses. Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers.
-Danielle

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