Nerve Wracking

Yesterday I finished all my assemblies at Woodkirk, and let me tell you its scary! Luckily I had Amy Haslam to help me, she definitely took the pressure off and it meant I wasn’t stood at the front of the hall all on my own!
Hopefully everyone now understands why we are doing ECO kids, and what ill be doing in Tanzania. Lots of students have been talking to me around school, people I’ve never met before now say hello! Random but nice.

Thank you to Molly and Liam for singing in the final assembly, after the music failed to work!

Also thank you to Talkeem, Miss Wylde and Miss Bowen for saying a few words in the assemblies.

Here are a few photos of us doing the assemblies.

Now that they are over, I’m getting the letters and bags out to the vertical forms, so we can start collecting.

Finally I got a few more donations, one from my Nana and Grampy and one from my Dad’s company’s accountant! So a big thanks to these people.

Extra News

I should mention that Robin, (the accountant) is currently looking into doing a mobile heart clinic for children, after it was announced that the local one would be shut down, and any cases would have to be transferred to Newcastle. I myself think this is appalling, as we are talking about life and death situations of often young children. He has been on the radio a few times and will be keeping me posted on his progress.

I plan on helping him, if he so wishes, as I really believe this is a very important cause. I may be able to volunteer for him, or help fundraise, since I’m doing enough of it myself at the moment!

Keep checking my blog for news and information!

Exciting News

I have received my first donations, from Bradley Hire Northern Limited, Spacemaker Installations, my cousin Gary and his wife Nanette, and my uncle Ian and his wife Pla all the way from Saudi Arabia! These donations will be paid to Peace Matunda within the week for the first part of my placement at the orphanage. So thank you for your generosity.

Recently I arranged with my head teacher, Mr White, to take part in the ECOkids Recycling project; a project where schools and organisations raise a tonne of weight in clothes, shoes, bags, teddies, bedding, curtains, books, bric-a-brac and electrical items! When we collect a tonne or two if we can do it, ECOkids send a van to pick it all up and pay us some money! Mr White has graciously decided that for all the effort I put in, I may put the proceeds towards the orphanage and my placement there!

Since then, I have begun doing assemblies to get the word out, registering with ECOkids and ordering all the publicity information to get everyone at school involved! I have also started a design for a page on the school website, and have organised an article to be done in the local newspaper; The Morley Observer (so keep a look out), to explain to everyone what is going on!

The final bit of news I have is my secured dates! I’ll be going to Tanzania on the 20^th of October and returning on the 3^rd of November. You may have noticed that I’ll be at Peace Matunda over Halloween, so I’m looking into doing a fancy dress Halloween party for the children. Depending how much I raise, I can take decorations out and possibly fancy dress outfits for the children. Don’t worry I’ve checked that it won’t clash with their religion! But hopefully I can get this organised, and you’ll see some pretty funny photos on my return.

Keep checking my blog for more information J

The beginning

This October and November I will be going to volunteer at Peace Matunda, an orphanage in Kimundo, Arusha, Tanzania. The Cicely Foundation, a non-profitable organisation, set up the orphanage alongside Kayaa the founder and coordinator. He lives in the orphanage grounds and his children live alongside the orphans, so it’s very much a family orientated home.

Peace Matunda is home to 21 children, even more go to the school. I intend to help out in the orphanage, cooking, cleaning and talking with the children, I will also help teach, during the school day, as most lessons are taught in English rather than Swahili.

I created this blog to allow people to get to know me and what I will be doing this coming November, because as a volunteer I have to pay for everything; two visa’s, jabs, flights, transfers, insurance, the placement and any gifts, such as paints or pyjamas. Any help with costs would be very well received. Keep reading for more of my journey towards helping the children of Peace Matunda. If you would like to donate, or you just want more information, do not hesitate to contact me.