Classic Engines, Modern Fuel, Helping Children in Tanzania
If you have bought a copy of the book Classic Engines, Modern Fuel, you have make a small contribution towards this project. Thank you. So far I have only managed to provide help for 2 of the 4 schools in Kideleko. Contributions towards helping the other two schools would be most appreciated. You can make a donation using PayPal or contact me directly.
At the start of January 2021, 850 primary aged children in 2 schools were given book bags, books, pens, pencils, erasers and pencil sharpeners to help them with their education.
One lady in particular has made everything possible. I cannot thank Rachel enough. She is a carer, working in the UK and is from Kideleko in Tanzania and has contacts and family there. Rachel contacted the teachers to find out what was needed and sent me pictures of the children, including one showing exercise books lying on the ground. I realised, even if we sent what they asked for, the children would have nowhere to put them. They would also need book bags. These would have been too expensive to buy in the UK.
The answer for the book bags was to get them made in Tanzania.
A book bag was designed by one of my friends and we arrange for Rachel’s family to buy two sewing machines in Tanzania. Yes these are new machines and no they are not electrically operated. Treadle machines are a lot more reliable when the electricity supply may go off! Over Christmas, Rachel went back to Tanzania, purchased the material in Dar es Salaam and arranged for the 850 book bags to be made.
As for the goods from England, these proved to be amazingly heavy. The problem was how to ship them to Tanzania. Rachel helped again. She put me in touch with KC Global Links Ltd, a shipping agent, who kindly agreed to send everything at no cost.
All we had to do was to take everything to Tilbury docks. Quite an experience dodging the lorries and containers. After two months at sea, all arrived safely in Dar es Salaam in time for Rachel to collect them.
The “great handout” happened at the start of January when the children went back to school.
It is humbling to see the effort taken by Rachel, the education authority, teachers and helpers. A major event, speeches, rows of people giving out the bags, pencils, etc. and lines of children collecting their things. The photographs give some idea of the scale. This is just for ONE school.
What about the next project? There are two more schools in the area. Hopefully more book sales will provide the funds. Alternatively, You can make a donation using PayPal or contact me directly.