I'm not sure... but i think this is what progress looks like.

walter and his best friend huruma. they're like peas and carrrots and for
some cuties in my village
seventh graders celebrating the news of new text books!
this is a fifth grade classroom. i couldn't fit them all in the picture but there are bout 70+ in each classroom
the toilets are still coming along. lookin better everyday!
i'm not that excited about having to cross the Euphrates River every time i need to get out of my village.
me and gladness. (thats her name: gladness)

Wow! I can’t believe the response that my one little blog post asking for your help received. I’ve received donation from all over the country all with notes attached thanking me or encouraging me in the work I’m doing…. I’m doing? YOU’RE doing. I’m just the messenger. And anything I accomplish here in the little village of Lwang’a in Tanzania is a direct result of the huge outpouring of support I’ve received from everyone at home. My dad recently sent me a package with a few of the essentials: mac and cheese, york peppermint patties, new contact lenses and a copy of the LA Times. It was great. I loved it. I always love getting a few things from home. But talk about depressing. The LA Times was a black hole of gloom and despair. Almost every article had something to do with the depressed economy and some horrible after effects that it was responsible for. Starbucks closed 600 stores in Jan.? Boeing is downsizing? Economists predict millions more jobs will be lost before the economy improves? Then there were other more horrifying articles about violence at home, in the states and abroad. Needless to say it gave me a dismal outlook on the world. But what my dad also included in the package were the notes and letters from those who have donated to help my little village telling I’m in their prayers or just that they care. It was hard at first to reckon the that envelope full of hope and kindness with the newspaper full of pain and despair. But after a moment it wasn’t hard at all. We as people are all essentially good. In fact you all are essentially AMAZING. With the economy as bad as it is more that 35 people found just a little extra that they could send my way to help some kids and families that need it. It’s just that sometimes we all need a little reminding that people care and we’re all in this together (yes I stole that line from High School Musical…but come one, it’s a good one). Now, excuse my sappiness in this post but I had to say thanks and remind you all that world isn’t just what the LA Times reports. At least that’s what you all have shown me.

Here is a breakdown of what we’ve done so far:

• Paid for half of the building of 8 desperately needed toilets for a primary school.
• Sponsored 17 secondary school kids who otherwise would not been able to afford school
• Bought 46 new English text books for the primary school so that each child has his or her own book to learn out of
• Bought a soccer ball for the primary school so that they don’t have to play with a tied up ball of bags anymore
• Started a youth health club that encourages people to make life choices decrease their risk of getting HIV.
• Started an income generating project for single mothers who don’t have enough money to support their families. We will be making and selling batik (I’ll put up pictures later of what that is) and hand woven baskets. (I’ll also put up some pictures of this next time. And if you want to buy either let me know! They are beautiful and amazing and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed)

I have plans for more text books for every subject. My goal is that every student in the primary school will have one book for each subject.

Each act of loving kindness helps repair the world. Thanks for being incredible.