Now It’s Your Turn to Celebrate Mother’s Day in Tanzania
| Are you ready to make a mother’s dream come true? Children in the Kambasegela and Kisondela Wards in Tanzania dream of going to school. And, their mothers want them to go to school. They work hard at making their chicken, cow and avocado co-ops become sustainable. At this time of year, I reflect on the values my Mom gave me… so many things to ponder on the list… love of family, helping and giving back to others, spiritual faith, learning to learn, listening and having fun. I will be letting my Mom know that I appreciate her and that I have made a gift to Africa Bridge. What do you want to your impact to be this coming Mother’s Day? Please make your gift today! Please join Africa Bridge on the journey of supporting women who dream of having their children in school. Wishing all a very Happy Mother’s Day! With Loving Thanks, Sharon Executive Director |
Celebrating Earth Day
Children in the Kambasegela Ward in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania getting ready to plant 2,600 tree seedlings. This year, 2,600 timber and fruit trees were planted as part of the children’s club projects. Please join us in celebrating Earth Day!
Giving Day 2019
Today’s the day! Join the Giving Day movement by coming together to support the mission of Africa Bridge. There is no better time than now to step up and help children in Tanzania with a donation.
You can also shop online at amazonsmile.com. Please select Africa Bridge as your charity of choice. Next, you login to your Amazon account and begin shopping as you normally would knowing that every time you make a purchase through Amazon, you are empowering rural Tanzanian communities to protect, support and care for vulnerable children – at no cost to you!
You can also sign up for the Fred Meyer Community Rewards program at fredmeyer.com. You can enroll by searching with the Africa Bridge account number, WT928 or by using our name “Africa Bridge.”
Enjoy Giving Day! Thank you so very much!
Gala Live Auction Items
Join us at our annual fundraiser A Toast To Tanzania on Saturday, October 6, 2018. We are excited to host our event at the Multnomah Athletic Club from 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM. Hear from Africa Bridge Founder and Purpose Prize Winner Barry Childs on his recent travels to Tanzania and program highlights. This year’s theme is “Brighter Futures For All”. With your help Africa Bridge can provide brighter futures for people in rural villages, providing opportunities for most vulnerable children and their guardians, village committees, and farming co-ops. Click hereto purchase tickets and be a part of the change.
Bid on amazing live auction items with the help of our personable auctioneer Michael Faith! Our packages this year are sure to excite! Raise your paddle high in the sky to bid on a week’s vacation to a luxurious villa for the stars in Mexico! Casa China Blanca, is an upscale, modern villa overlooking Banderas Bay. Bid on a week’s stay in the beautiful island of Maui, Hawaii. Spend your days on the beautiful beaches, and your nights at eating at luaus! Bid on a local package with world-class Oregon experiences that are fun for everyone. Bid on once in a life time Africa Bridge Travel Tour to Tanzania guided by our Founder Barry Childs. Visit the villages, meet the guardians, and play with the children; witness Africa Bridge’s impact first hand! These are just a few of the packages we are offering this year! See all our exciting auction packages listed below!
Live Auction Packages
Lufingo Ward Graduation Ceremony 2018
Photo taken by Africa Bridge Board Member Gary Grossman.
The Lufingo graduation ceremony was held on June 12th in the center of the Ward at Kalalo village. There were 338 people in attendance including, but not limited to: children, guardians, teachers, government officials, co-op members, Ward Steering Committee members, Ward Development Committee, Empowerment Workers, Most Vulnerable Children Committee (MVCC), Africa Bridge Board Members and Staff.
Julius Chalya District Commissioner of Rungwe Distraction said, “Africa Bridge has been doing a good job to support our communities …. especially for the families living in vulnerability, those families must use what they get from Africa Bridge to improve their life situation and also to support their children”. Africa Bridge staff are looking toward the future of the Ward as well. Independent contractor and co-op coordinator Noel stated, “I really liked the event, it was very nice, and what makes me feel happy is the readiness of the community leaders and community members to proceed to take over the project”.
Now that Africa Bridge’s tenure with Lufingo has been completed, it is time for the Ward to look forward at ways of sustaining our program within the community. The management of Africa Bridge’s project will now be under the supervision of the District Leader, Ward and village leadership in cooperation with MVCC’s in each village. Africa Bridge has helped bring hope and support to the people of Lufingo, encouraging brighter futures ahead. We are looking forward to seeing the Ward’s progress as they face challenges with new skills, systems, and opportunities to support the most vulnerable children.
We want to extend our deepest gratitude to Vibrant Village Foundation, Segal Foundation, Newman’s Own Foundation, and Abbott Fund for sponsoring Lufingo Ward, as well as other key stakeholders who helped support our mission. We thank you!
Medard Mwebesa, 1968-2015
Dear Friends,
Africa Bridge is very sad to announce the death of one of its long-time Tanzania staff members, Medard Mwebesa.
Medard died on April 1st of complications from malaria. He was just short of his 46th birthday. Medard leaves his wife Mrs. Anitha Mwebesa, and children Lisa (18), Michael (14), and Lucy (10). He will be buried in his home region of Bukoba, on the shores of Lake Victoria in northwestern Tanzania.
Of the Africa Bridge staff in Tanzania, only our Project Manager Martha Mmbando has served longer than Medard. He began work with Africa Bridge in 2008, and was a key contributor to our projects in Masoko, Mpombo and Lufingo wards, together comprising 20 villages.
Medard was trained as a social worker, and carried responsibility for all of Africa Bridge’s programming related to “Most Vulnerable Children.” Most of the youngsters in our programs knew him personally, as he conducted Children’s Clubs in each village quarterly. These are recreational and psychological support groups for children affected by loss of parents, illness, life disruption and poverty. Medard was gentle and intuitive with these children, and they loved him. This photo shows him leading a Children’s Club activity in October 2014.
Another important part of Medard’s Africa Bridge work was training village volunteers to function as para-social workers in their communities. He was a patient and effective trainer, and by sharing his expertise he magnified his impact on children many times over.
Medard was a fanatic fan of football (soccer to those of us in the US). His team was Arsenal, and he could be found many nights of the week in front of the television in the local Tukuyu pub, watching Arsenal and keeping track of its many competitor teams.
He will be truly missed.
Join us today! – Wed, June 25th DevDrinks feat. Africa Bridge’s Barry Childs
Today! Wed, June 25th DevelopmentDrinks.
Wed, June 25th, 5 – 7:30 pm, speaker Barry Childs at 6:30 pm
at Lotus Cafe, 920 SW 3rd Avenue, Portland, OR 97204 Map.
Join Development Drinks in welcoming the enigmatic director and founder of Africa Bridge, Barry Childs, to hear about his incredible work in Tanzania, helping Tanzanians build prosperous thriving communities.
What: June Development Drinks feat. Barry Childs of Africa Bridge
When: Wednesday, June 25th 5 to 7:30 pm, Barry will speak at 6 pm.
Casual socializing with Portland’s international development community before and after the talk. See at Dev Drinks!
Africa Bridge Blog 