Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) based in Tanzania

John, a fellow YAGM volunteer, and I traveled around Tanzania for two and a half weeks. A main purpose for this journey was to see how a few NGOs function in a Less Developed Country and, as I love spending time in other cultures, I wondered if the people would want a person from the US in their community. The people warmly welcomed us, but many competent people from the community could better perform the jobs I would be interested in doing since they were a part of the culture and the people. I would probably be more effective working among my people in the US. While in Tanzania, we primarily stayed in a northern city of Arusha. We chose Tanzania, and specifically Arusha, because Arusha is the home of a vast amount of NGOs and we could travel to Tanzania without many prior concrete connections and make Lutheran connections while there; the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) has more members than the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). For more information, please look at the websites or I'll happily share more stories!


Maasai Women Development Organization (MWEDO)
MWEDO staff welcomed us and generously gave of their time. The first day, Haika, Scolastica, and Ndinini, the director of MWEDO, shared with us about their organization and their relations with Americans, which you may read sound bites of below. On Saturday, Diana and Solomon accompanied us to Longido to meet a community of Maasai. The Maasai women and children welcomed us with lively song, kind words, and sweet tea. Although we could say little more than “ashe”, meaning “thank you” in Maa, I felt deeply connected to the soulful Maasai women.
Mission: “MWEDO aims to work towards the empowerment of disadvantaged Maasai women economically, politically, culturally and socially through implementing activities in Education, Economic Empowerment, HIV/AIDS, advocacy and promotion of human rights within the Maasai community.”
Websites: http://www.maasaiwomentanzania.org/
http://www.youtube.com/user/maasaiwomeneducation
To support the Maasai craft: learn more at the “Maasai Women Fair Trade Centre” tab, located on the upper bar of their website. Purchase Maasai crafts, including jewelry, leather, and home décor, at www.globalgoodspartners.org.
Sound Bytes
Ndinini Kimesera Sikar, Executive Director of MWEDO
“If you want to do anything in this country, you have to go to the communities.”
“The moment you are in this world you learn so much.” – On how people know so much without formal education
“People are the same everywhere.”
“We need to learn from each other.”
Scolastika Porokuia, a staff member at MWEDO
“The Americans are very good friends of the Maasai.” – Describing Americans as open and that Americans share information that helps others change for the better
“We [Maasai] can’t change our own level of capacities without help from the outside.”
“One day they [Maasai] can stand on their own and do their own things in a better way and level.”
“They [some Maasai] do not know there is a better life until they see a better life.”
The gracious and humble Maasai taught me about how looking for the soul in each person makes life better.

Maasai Visions Organization (Induat E Maa)
Thomas, a staff member, escorted John and me from Arusha to Maasai Visions Organization’s office. From the moment we arrived, Luca, the organization’s director, and Thomas’ shared their passion for their fellow Maasai and their organization’s efforts. Luca and Thomas answered our questions with endless energy.
Mission: “Our mission is to rehabilitate the destroyed Maasai land ecosystems, protect and educate communities on sustainable use of environmental resources, and provide the necessary support for the social, economic, and cultural development of communities within dry land ecosystems.”
Website: http://www.maasaivisions.org/
Sound Bytes
Luca Rikoyan, General Director of Maasai Visions Organization
“We know where we come from and we know the needs of the community.” – Responding to why they started the organization
“The benefit of education to me is the same as the benefit of education to you.”
“We [the Maasai] have been left behind for so many years.” – Referring to the Maasai’s lack of rights
“You are a slave in your own home.” – Referring to the Maasai’s conditions living under national governments
“What I have in my heart I can tell you.”

The School of St Jude
John and I had worked in South African schools during our year of service, so we curiously walked through the front gates of The School of St. Jude. Color inundated our vision as we walked into the main courtyard, surrounded by colorful buses, playground equipment, and buildings. Shawn, a staff member, gave John and me a comprehensive tour and shared with us how thousands of children take entrance tests at the well-known school, which accepts intelligent, economically poor children.
Mission: “The School of St Jude is an independent sponsorship-supported school that provides education for Tanzanian children from the lowest socio-economic backgrounds. The school demonstrates leadership, promotes critical thinking and expects high moral values from its students, staff and the school community.”
Website: http://www.schoolofstjude.co.tz/

Mwangaza Education for Partnership
When John and I reserved a room at Mwangaza Hostel and Conference Center, we thought we were merely signing up for a place to stay while in Arusha. However, upon arrival, we immediately realized that we inherently became part of Mwangaza’s warm, soulful community. The Mwangaza staff embraced us as family. If you ever stay in Arusha, I highly recommend staying at Mwangaza Hostel and Conference Center, which benefits Mwangaza Education for Partnership.
Mission: “Mwangaza Education for Partnership is a grassroots faith-based union of all twenty dioceses of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and their companion synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. A holistic literacy program responds by developing seminars on topics requested by Tanzanian secondary teachers (English, Math, Science) as well as church leaders (water-borne diseases, women's health, conflict resolution).”
Website: http://mwangazafriends.org/

Venance and Loruvani Lutheran Church
Venance Abel accompanied John and me to Loruvani Lutheran Church in Arusha. He seems to have endless talents; Venance helped build the beautiful church, teaches technology, paints, makes furniture, sings in a choir (which toured in Germany, Belgium, Uganda and Kenya), serves as the treasurer of the church, leads the evangelism department, and is Maasai. He reminded me of Jesus. Venance requests that all people of faith pray for him and his companions, especially those people living with HIV.
To watch a clip of the Loruvani Lutheran Church Choir, check out the website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y3wG-_GOU4
Sound Bytes
Venance
“We have many people living with HIV; don’t live far from them, care for [them] and share the word of God.”
“When you meet with someone who wants what you have and you have [it], you can give it to them and you will get blessings from God.”
“Faith without actions is dead.”
“[A person] Must first give something for God to give. Anything you want, you must give first.”
“If you want to be a peace man, you should let Jesus enter your heart and share your Jesus heart with others, then every time you pray with me and I pray with you…[we] stay connected.”
“If you live alone and pray without believing, you don’t get what you want. All people, we love him [Jesus] and we like to sing together, pray together with you.”
“If you pray with others and believe you will get what you ask for from God.”

June Sound Bytes

“I think there’s a long way to freedom.” - A workshop participant
“We have freedom, but in many other ways we [black South Africans] are oppressed.” - a participant
“We voted for freedom, but we still haven’t much.” – a participant
“The only way to liberate the South African people-it’s to give them education.” – Vela
“The only significance of South Africa hosting the World Cup for me is that all people from all races are embracing the South African flag.” – Vela on describing the importance of unity
“It’s [the World Cup] not going to benefit the majority of South Africans as South Africa has given FIFA more freedom.” - Vela
“Development is about giving knowledge to the people because then they can be self-reliant.” - Vela
“It is our (ANC party) responsibility to unite all South Africans.” – Vela

May Sound Bytes

“China is the best for everything.” – Eva, a friend, describing how China is a stronghold in the world
“[People] need to be home. You know that.” – Eva
“Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling.” – 1st John 2:10
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” – Ephesians 5:1-2
“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.” – 1st John 3:1
“What does Africa Freedom Day mean to us? We need the Holy Spirit to show us.” – Dean Myaka

April Sound Bytes

“We have been called in order to be sent.” – Dean Myaka
“It’s what keeps us going: hope.” – Dean Myaka
“We are all out.” – A Southeastern Diocese Young Adults member on the positive intensity of the group
“Money talks; bullshit walks.” – A safari guide on how some Hluhluwe administrators sold animals from the park for personal profit
“O God, you claim me as your partner, respecting me, trusting me, tussling with me. Support me as I dare to take risks with you, so together we may transform the world. Amen.” – Bridget Rees; Christian AID; Genesis 32:22-32
“Those who find themselves must first be willing to lose themselves… encounters with God take place when we set out in a direction we hadn’t planned to take and are willing to give up going where we intended to go.” –Renita Weems
“Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” – 1 Timothy 6:12
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2
“The only thing that counts is faith working through love.” – Galatians 5:6

March Sound Bytes

“Jesus has done it all” – Londeka
“ How can I speak if he hasn’t first spoken to me?” – Londeka
“Crucially, we wanted to show the audience that the current international trading system is enslaving millions of people and is urgently in need of radical reform – we wanted people to wake up and smell the coffee…” – Nick and Marc Francis (Co-directors/producers of BLACK GOLD)
“Rich countries pay their farmers $300bn in subsidies every year making it impossible for developing countries to compete in the world market.” – Nick and Marc Francis
“There are 30,000 people who die every day because they don’t have access to basic needs and services such as water and health care. If that were happening in the Western world, it would be classed as a state of emergency.” – Nick and Marc Francis
“Consumers need to buy coffee (and other products) from companies that have an ethical business philosophy – a philosophy and outlook that doesn’t exploit the people in the poorer countries who make these raw commodities.” – Nick and Marc Francis

January Sound Bytes

For a week in late January, I had the opportunity to see God in the faces of Lutheran partners from the US and South Africa. The people shared concerns, passions and interests, but most importantly, they showed one another love. Below, I include quotes from many of these partners. These partners saw God in one another, and they parted ways with a renewed sense of hope in how God moves across all man-made boarders, such as country, race and gender.

From Minnesota Partners during one gathering…
Prompt from Minnesota leader: “Please give your name, where
you are from, and one thing that has surprised, inspired or
amazed you, in a minute or less.”
“Tremendous joy”
“I think the thing that surprised me the most was that church was
three and a half hours long, and I liked it.”
“It’s not until you get here until you realize how much they have to give to us.”
“I’m just touched by the depth of life.”
“You are my brothers and sisters in Christ.”
“It was like I had been with a girlfriend for years.”
“If I ever complain about anything, you have permission to slap me silly.”
“His whole life exudes hope.”
“A deep Christian faith that is second to none.”
150 members at the church, three cars
“They have a very warm feeling, these people.”
“It’s making me a better person.”
“The tremendous potential in this country.”
“People are the same the world over.”
“We’re all God’s children.”
“We’re so caught up in our stuff.”
“We have the stuff, but quite often lack the spirit that it is the people.”
“They talk about the same problems as we do.”
“I really do believe that we’re walking together.”
“I’ve always known that the people around the world that love Christ are our brothers and sisters. But I knew it here [head], but now I know it here [heart].”

Other quotes from the week…
“Be at home.” – SA Partner
“It’s a beautiful thing to see how God works.” – Pastor Jean (US)
“I was so worried that what we would do wouldn’t be good enough for Americans.” – A South African who took us to a lion park, a zoo and out to lunch
“We’re about empowering one another.” – Pastor Jean (US)
“Partnership is about relationships mainly.” – Dean Myaka (SA)
“We are very different, but we have the same …Lord, …waters of baptism, …communion.” – Pastor Harvey (US) to a SA congregation
“I wish you could teach us how to have joy in giving.” – Pastor Harvey (US) to a SA congregation
“We are just co-workers with you. Keep reminding us of that.” – Dean Myaka (SA)
“And in this common Lord, we are all blessed.” – Pastor Harvey (US)
“God bless you for coming to see our place.” – SA partner
“We need to go back home and tell them that we don’t know how to do evangelism and we need to learn from our South African brothers and sisters.” – Pastor Harvey
“Christ is reality and deeds.” – Pastor Harvey
“I think we’ve all become stronger in our faith.” – Pastor Jean (US)
“He calls us all to work together… for the glory of God.” – Pastor Jean (US)
“God brought His people together.” – SA partner
“You chaps have been wonderful.”– SA partner to US reps
“We couldn’t’ve asked to have been treated better than we were.”
– US partner to SA reps
Helping US partners would give SA partners: “The confidence that we are equal… even though we can never be equal.” – SA partner
“You are evangelists. We take care of ourselves.” – US partner
“You are missionaries to us.” – US partner
“The truth is… we have an awful lot of needs.” – US partner
“This is an equal partnership already.” – US partner